Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate commits to live site for Australia England Wednesday

The Gold Coast has a live screening site for football fans as the Matildas aim to make Australian sporting history on Wednesday. Find out where - and see some of the other best spots to see it

The Gold Coast has scored a live screening site for football fans as the Matildas attempt to create Australian sporting history on Wednesday night.

On Monday morning, Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the residents can gather at the end of Cavill Mall on the Surfers Paradise foreshore to watch the Australian women’s team take on England in the FIFA Women’s World Cup semi-final.

Mr Tate said he recommended fans to catch the G:Link, walk, cycle or use other public transport as parking was impacted by this weekend’s Pacific Airshow.

Matilda fans cheer on the Australian women football team from Homebush in Sydney Olympic Park as the Matildas play France in QLD this evening. Aussie fans go nuts after the Matildas win in a penalty shoot out for the ages. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

However, he said “motorists needing to drive have plenty of options with public carparks, off-speak street parking and hotels offering parking within their premises”.

“The weather will be perfect and so will the result,” Mr Tate said.

“I’m predicting a 2-1 win for the Matilda’s”.

Surfers Paradise councillor Darren Taylor urged those attending to come before the game and enjoy the city’s restaurants and pubs.

“I urge Gold Coasters to get out and about, support our Matilda’s and spend a few dollars in our Surfers Paradise restaurants and pubs.”

The game which was being played in Sydney will kick off at 8pm, and the Surfers Paradise site will be open from 5pm on Wednesday.

SOME OTHER GREAT VENUES TO WATCH THE MATILDAS SEMI-FINAL GAME

THE SPORTING GLOBE: The Sporting Globe will open at 11am in preparation for kick off at 8pm. Pre-match plans include serving themed cocktails such as the “Raso-rita” a coco-passionfruit marg concoction, the stiff “Whiskey Fowler” for those that need to have jittery nerves calmed, and the “The Kerr-minator” a mango colada with a shot of chilli to get things as fired up as Sam Kerr.

Mark Vigus, from the Sporting Globe said: “House wines will be re-named as ‘Cortnee Vines’ for the night, while beers will be served extra-icy - which is how we will leave English fans feeling when we take it right through to the finals.”

The Sporting Globe has over 330 seats available and 50-plus television screens so every fan will have the best view in the house.

FAT FREDDYS: Fat Freddy’s Beach Bar and Diner will also be hosting a live screening of the event with booths of up to eight people available for booking.

The venue will also be holding a sweepstakes style draw for the first goal scorer.

MIAMI TAVERN: The Miami Tavern will be be hosting a live screening in their Sports Bar.

Tables, for a minimum of four people, can be booked in advance for just $30 per person - and then be redeemed for food and drinks on the night.

Other venues that will be hosting live-screenings of the semi-final match include the Burleigh Heads Hotel, Crafty’s Sport Bar and the Ashmore Sports Tavern. And The Star Gold Coast Sports bar which packed out for Saturday night’s quarter final is expected to be brimming again.

Where Gold Coast plans live site for Matildas knockout semi

Football fans will be able to immerse themselves in Australian sporting history with Mayor Tom Tate committing to a Gold Coast live site for the FIFA Women’s World Cup clash on Wednesday night.

The Matildas, helped in no small part by Gold Coast goalie Mackenzie Arnold, swept to quarterfinals victory to win a place in the semi-finals.

Matildas fans celebrate at Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour, Australia Vs France Quarter final. Picture: Damian Shaw

The team will take on England’s Lionesses for the semi-final at 8pm in Sydney.

Cr Tate said the council was deciding whether to hold a live fan event at Broadwater Parklands or Surfers Paradise.

“It’s Matilda mania and we want a slice of it,” he said.

“Our events team is scoping out a live site for Wednesday’s blockbuster against England.

“Stay tuned as we look at the Surfers foreshore or Broadwater Parklands.

“An announcement will be made (on Monday).”

Matilda fans cheer on the Australian women football team from Homebush in Sydney Olympic Park as the Matildas played France. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Council event managers are said to be weighing up the benefits of a ready-made Wednesday markets crowd in Surfers Paradise against the potential impacts of road closures and other restrictions ahead of this weekend’s Pacific Airshow.

Bulletin readers polled on Facebook on Sunday were backing Broadwater Parklands as their preferred venue.

Almost 50,000 fans packed Suncorp Stadium for the Matilda’s quarterfinal bout against France, which they won in a gripping penalty shootout.

Hundreds of thousands more fans packed into fan zones and live sites in Brisbane’s Southbank, at the SCG, MCG and at packed council-led locations across the country on Saturday night.