Where to watch the Matildas play: Wide Bay Burnett
Your guide to where you can get together to watch Wednesday’s historic World Cup semi-final between the Matildas’ and England, from Bundaberg to Gympie, to Hervey Bay, Kingaroy and Monto. FULL LIST:
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Hundreds if not thousands of Matildas’ fans will be getting together to watch Wednesday’s historic World Cup semi-final against England in pubs and public spaces across the Wide Bay Burnett.
Whether you are an old-time soccer fan, new to the game, or just want to cheer on the Tillies as they take their place as one of the top four, there’s a camaraderie in going out to watch a game like this with friends or strangers.
We’ve compiled a list of places screening the Matildas’ game on Wednesday (starts ats at 8pm) with the top six places telling us just how excited they are to be a part of it.
Should the Matildas’ make it through this round they will be playing the final game on Sunday in Sydney.
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Grand Hotel, Gayndah
“I’d have had my b---s ripped out if I don’t show it,” manager Bryan Guppy said when asked if the Grand Hotel was playing the game.
Last Saturday, 100 or so people turned up at The Grand Hotel, 40 Australians and 60 French people to watch the game, he said.
He said he already spent almost $700 on Matilidas’ memorabilia.
Monto’s Grand Hotel
“Girlfriend, we are all over it!” hotel staff member Lilly said when asked whether the Grand in Monto was planning a night around the game.
She said there was a customer who came to see one of the games and was cheering so loud as she once played soccer and had not quite made it into the Matildas.
The woman, who looked like she didn’t drink much usually, had to be given a room at the hotel after being cautioned about driving home after the game, Lilly said.
The Club Hotel, Bundaberg
The club will be showing the game on all the TVs, but with the sound only in the front bar area.
The staff said they had a good turnout on Saturday for the game against France, with about 60 dedicated people coming in to watch the game, but by the end of the game – everyone was watching it.
Granville Hotel, Maryborough
A huge turnout for Saturday’s game, the Granville will be showing the semi-final on all three televisions (bar the keno one), in the bistro, alfresco and main bar.
“It seems like everyone is into it, even people who don’t like soccer much,” hotel staff Nicole said.
Burrum Tavern, Burrum Heads
Burrum Tavern has already put up a facebook post inviting people in for the game to be screened live on the big screen:
“Come and join us Wednesday night to watch the nail biting semi finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup where our Magic Matilda‘s will be facing off with the Enemy England. Game starts at 8pm with bar specials from 8pm until 10pm.
“SEE YOU THERE! GO MATILDA’S!!!”
The Railway Hotel, Imbil
The game will be screened at this iconic pub in the heart of the Mary Valley on the big screen in the main bar.
“Closer to the cold beers,” hotel staff member El said.
She excitedly watched the quarterfinal and is keen to see so much support for the soccer girls.
Bundaberg
The Sugarland Tavern
They will “definitely” be showing the game on the majority of their TVs with the sound throughout the tavern, staff said.
Bargara Beach Hotel
The game will be screening on all of the TVs, staff said.
The Queenslander Bundaberg
Staff said it will be shown on the gaming room TVs.
Spotted Dog at Railway Hotel
Old Bundy Tavern
The Melbourne Hotel
Fraser Coast
Westside Tavern, Maryborough
Grab a half-price pizza to watch along with the game, staff said.
Old Sydney Hotel, Maryborough
Kondari Hotel, Maryborough
White Lion Hotel, Maryborough
Miners Arms Hotel, Torbanlea
Bay Central Tavern, Hervey Bay
Torquay Hotel, Hervey Bay
Gympie
The Pavilion, Gympie Showgrounds
Gympie United Football along with the Gympie Regional Council will be screening the semifinal game at the Pavilion.
A licensed bar will be in operation, BYO food or bring some cash to order a pizza.
Arrive at 7.30pm for a 8pm start.
The Gundy Pub (Prince Alfred Hotel)
Screened at the bar’s TV on the self-described “big screen” Gundy Pub owner Daniel Hourigan said he was looking forward to the event.
The Jockey Club Hotel
Queenslander Hotel
Kandanga Hotel
Kilkivan Hotel
Phoenix Hotel
Charlie’s Hotel
North, Central and South Burnett
Carrollee Hotel, Kingaroy
Commercial Hotel, Biggenden
Mungungo Pub, Monto
Royal Hotel, Mundubbera
Apple Tree Creek Pub
Kingaroy Hotel Motel
Hivesville Hotel, Hivesville
North of Brisbane, Sunshine Coast Stadium will open its gates for supporters to watch the game on the big screen.
The stadium will open from 7pm, with food and drink available.
Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium is still locked down as a FIFA match venue, to host Saturday’s third-place playoff.
Former Socceroo John Kosmina said as many venues as possible should open up across Brisbane as the Matildas unified the nation.
“We need to support the fan-fest concept of people getting together and being able to celebrate, you can’t do that in front of a television set,” he said.
“Open up as many venues as possible for people to celebrate … they could open up Suncorp Stadium and get both screens running … people should be able to dance and jump up and down and mingle and they need to do it in a hurry.”
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