Matildas ignite $50m FIFA women’s World Cup boom for Brisbane
Matilda Mania has gripped Queensland, with the stunning run of our women’s soccer team - now back in Brisbane - igniting World Cup Fever in a $50 million boom for the Brisbane economy.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Matilda Mania has gripped Queensland, with the stunning run of our women’s soccer team igniting World Cup Fever in a $50 million boom for the Brisbane economy.
Officials initially estimated the FIFA women’s World Cup would be worth about $30 million to Brisbane’s hotels, bars and restaurants across the month-long tournament, but the magnificent Matildas – with nine Queenslanders in their ranks, have exceeded all expectations, dragging thousands of Queensland sports fans along for the ride in a juggernaut captivating the country.
With Monday night’s 2-0 win over Denmark booking a quarterfinal at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night, figures from STR Data show Brisbane’s hotels are sitting at almost 90 per cent occupancy this weekend – almost unheard of for the dreary middle of winter, while Caxton Street traders reported a Monday night windfall bigger than State of Origin.
Four of Brisbane’s six World Cup matches have attracted almost 50,000 spectators – two for matches not even featuring Australia, including a huge crowd for Monday night’s England-Nigeria eliminator, with thousands hanging around the precinct’s bars to watch the Matildas knock over Denmark on big screens.
Brisbane has been Matildas HQ throughout the tournament and the team made a triumphant return to their World Cup base on Tuesday afternoon with Queensland young gun Mary Fowler basking in another standout performance against the Danes.
Industry insiders say the original economic impact projection of $30m would be almost doubled by the end of the World Cup with two more sold-out Suncorp Stadium matches to come.
Queensland Tourism and Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the World Cup had been an incredible success, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese vowing to declare a national public holiday if the Matildas go all the way.
“There’s no doubt FIFA Women’s World Cup fever has swept Queensland with fans from the southern border to the Cape embracing the Matildas’ journey,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“With so many Queensland-based Matildas on the team, the march to this weekend’s quarterfinals has been an inspiration for spectators and put a spring in the step of young players who aspire to one day represent Queensland and the nation.
“Initial predictions put the Matildas’ effect for Brisbane’s visitor economy at around $30.5 million with the FIFA Women’s World Cup now on track to exceed that by millions of dollars.
“We’ll know more at the completion of the tournament, but enthusiasm for the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Matildas has certainly been a winner for Brisbane accommodation, hospitality and tourism operators.”
More than 350,000 tickets have been sold for Brisbane’s eight World Cup matches, while more than 50,000 spectators have watched the action at the FIFA Fan Festival at South Bank.
Caxton Street Development Association President Sarosh Mehta said the success of the Matildas, and the World Cup in general, had been far above all expectations.
“I think that would be a massive understatement,” he said.
“We are getting 49,000 people to Suncorp Stadium for matches not even involving Australia and for the Matildas’ games we could get 80,000 if we had enough seats.
“Trade is booming, the atmosphere is amazing and traders say it’s been up there with State of Origin, if not better.
“Not only were there nearly 50,000 people at the game, but many of them stayed around for many hours to watch the Matildas game on TV, so the traders got two bites at the cherry.”
Enthusiastic fans were on hand at Brisbane Airport for the team’s return to Queensland on Tuesday, including World Cup volunteer Isidora Lehuede, an avid player herself.
‘We can beat anyone’: Matildas must hit ‘another level’ as path to glory confirmed
Matildas vs Denmark FIFA World Cup 2023: Matildas win 2-0 as Sam Kerr comes off the bench
The Matildas’ victory the most-watched TV broadcast in 2023
She said it was amazing to be watching the success of the game in Australia.
“It’s insane, especially as a football player, to see people watch these games and sellout crowds,” she said.
Isidora said she had many favourite players including Caitlin Foord, but was incredibly impressed by the performance of Fowler.
“She’s insanely good,” she said.
“This World Cup has been her time to shine.”
Annette Checksfield, who travelled to Brisbane from Canberra with her daughter Caite to watch World Cup matches at Suncorp Stadium, said the Matildas had been an inspiration.
“It’s so good for football and to bring in equality for women and girls in the sport,” she said.
Superstar captain Sam Kerr, seemingly recovered from a calf injury which threatened to derail Australia’s World Cup, was one of the first to come through the doors at the airport and said she was “happy” to be back home in Brisbane.
The Story Bridge, Victoria Bridge, Kurilpa Bridge, and City Hall will be lit up in green and gold this weekend, while almost 400 banners will fly in support across the city.
With Saturday night’s match another sellout, thousands of fans are expected to turn out at the South Bank live site.
More Coverage
2032 Olympic scouts tour state for talent amid push for more junior sport
Parents are being urged to enrol their kids in sport this year as the state government attempts to future-proof Queensland’s next generation of Olympians.
Auckland goes top of the A-League in last minute thriller
Auckland FC has climbed to the top of the A-League table with a stunning 95th minute winner against the Western Sydney Wanderers in a game full of opportunities.