Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan personally invites Matildas to play at GMHBA stadium in February

Geelong’s mayor has personally invited Australia’s beloved Matildas to play at GMHBA stadium in February. See why our city should be selected to host our soccer superstars.

Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan has invited the Matildas to play their Olympic qualifier next year at GMHBA Stadium. Picture Lachie Millard

Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan has personally invited Australia’s beloved Matildas to play their Olympic qualifier at GMHBA Stadium, with two major Melbourne venues reportedly unavailable for the match.

The Matildas are set to play Uzbekistan on February 28 but both the MCG and Marvel Stadium are believed to not be available to host the game after committing to pop stars.

This has led to talk that Geelong’s newly revamped GMHBA Stadium could be the perfect venue for the showdown.

“Geelong has opened our hearts to you and now we invite you to enjoy our hospitality,” Mr Sullivan wrote in a letter sent to Football Australia on Tuesday.

Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan.

“With a new stand, our GMHBA Stadium will look magnificent full of 40,000 soccer fans cheering you on for your next Olympic qualifier versus Uzbekistan on February 28.”

Mr Sullivan said Geelong was a “famously proud and passionate sport-loving community” and the city has a “thriving” girl’s and women’s competition.

“Your recent World Cup and Olympic qualifying games have inspired a new generation to embrace soccer,” he wrote.

“Now we want to welcome and thank our heroes in person.

“Geelong is ready to cheer you on Matildas.

“We look forward to seeing you.”

Tourism Greater Geelong and the Bellarine executive director Tracy Carter said hosting the Matildas would be a “wonderful way to round out … an incredible summer of events in the region”.

“The growing accommodation offers in Geelong means the tourism sector is better placed to take advantage of large, sought-after events like this,” she said.

“With the Matildas’ soaring popularity, it would certainly be an in-demand event and would drive a good amount of visitation from outside the region.”

A state government spokeswoman told the Geelong Advertiser Victoria was the “nation’s sporting and major events capital” but did not mention Geelong or GMHBA stadium.

“We’re always considering which blockbuster events we can host to draw visitors from around Australia and the world, and support thousands of jobs for the state,” she said.

Taylor Swift will perform at the MCG on February 16, 17 and 18 but the bump out and ground rehabilitation is expected to take weeks.

Marvel Stadium, which can host more than 53,000 fans, will host Pink on February 23 and 24.

The completion of the northern stand, named the Joel Selwood Stand, at GMHBA Stadium will increase the venue’s capacity to 40,000 and is expected to be completed in time for round one of the 2024 men’s AFL season in March.

It is believed AAMI Park in Melbourne is available for the Matildas match, however can only hold 30,000 fans.

Football Australia declined to comment but it is understood the organisation is still in discussion with state governments across Australia about where the game will be held.

Kardinia Park Stadium Trust declined to comment.

Originally published as Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan personally invites Matildas to play at GMHBA stadium in February