New Sydney Football Stadium to host Rabbitohs, Wallabies, Matildas

The first games for the revamped Sydney Football Stadium have been unveiled. Find out what the “festival of football” will include.

The first games for the revamped Sydney Football Stadium have been announced, with the Rabbitohs, Roosters, Wallabies and Matildas to play within a week of each other in a “festival of football”.

The first ever game at the revamped stadium will kick off on Friday September 2 between arch rivals the Sydney Roosters and the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

The Wallabies will take on the rugby union world champions, the South African Springboks, the following day.

And on Tuesday September 6 the Matildas will play Olympic champions Canada in a friendly football fixture.

The matches will be preceded by a free community open day on August 28, with sports Minister Stuart Ayres saying the open day will give punters a chance to see the stadium ahead of matches kicking off.

The new Sydney Football Stadium.

and the Wallabies will put the new stadium to use later this year.

Aussie sporting teams like the Matildas

He said the launch of the $828 million stadium with three games across three different codes would welcome people to the stadium with a “festival of football”.

“(This) is about making sure that citizens across our state have the access to the absolute best facilities,” he said.

“It’s been a long time coming…but it’s a complete game changer for sport and entertainment here in New South Wales.”

Demolished in 2019, the rebuilt stadium includes 42,5000 seats which will all be undercover.

Stars from across the sporting codes talked up their excitement for the opening of the field, which will occur slightly ahead of schedule.

Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs fans will be among the first supporters to christen the stadium in September. Picture: Matthew Forrest

“To know that we’re opening (the ground) I’m stoked, against Souths too,” star Rooster lock Victor Radley said.

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said the field was custom built for the rugby codes.

“(It’s an) unbelievable facility. Really purpose built for our game. We’re excited to play a lot of footy here,” he said.

For the Matildas, the stadium represents a likely home base for the women’s football World Cup next year.

“It’s an exciting time for women’s football I think, knowing that we’re playing a powerhouse Canadian team later on this year is huge,” Matildas player Kyah Simon said.