Matildas football 2023: The costs associated with watching Australian women’s footballers in domestic competitions

World Cup fever has a host of new fans hooked on women’s football, but following their Matildas’ heroes domestic season will come at a hefty price.

World Cup fever cloaked the nation creating a host of new fans – who now face forking out more than $600 a year to keep watching their Matildas heroes play football.

Die hard fans wishing to watch all the men’s action including major tournaments like Champions League and the Australian domestic competition will have to pay more than $1000 a year.

All but two of the Aussie women’s World Cup stars are playing abroad – most in the English Women’s Super League, a few in the Swedish league, one in Spain, a couple in America and another in France.

The World Cup, viewed by 9.25 million people on free to air TV in Australia and another 1.67 million on 7plus, did exactly as Football Australia hoped – created a legacy and a wave of new supporters.

With the international competitions and the A-Leagues Women’s competition all due to start by the end of October fans have taken to social media channels searching for ways to watch their favourite players in action.

To watch Kyra Cooney-Cross in the Swedish League, Aussie fans will have to pay for Fanseat costing $16 per month. Picture: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

It isn’t a cheap endeavour with the sport not accessible via one platform. Instead fans need multiple subscriptions, which hits the wallet hard – especially during a cost of living crisis.

Those wanting to watch the likes of Sam Kerr, Mary Fowler, Alanna Kennedy or Caitlin Foord play in the WSL need an Optus Sport subscription – which is $24.99 a month.

The benefit of Optus Sport is their mini matches – meaning if you haven’t been able to stay up and watch the game at 2am in the morning you can catch up while having your breakfast.

To watch Katrina Gorry, Clare Polkinghorne, Charli Grant or Kyra Cooney-Cross in the Swedish League Aussie fans need a subscription to Fanseat – costing $16 a month.

Amazingly Alex Chidac fans can watch her US games for free via the NWSL website.

Stan Sport, which costs $35 a month for the sports package, has the rights to the Champions Leagues matches – but only the men’s games. Another subscription to DAZN, via YouTube, for $13.99 a month is needed to watch the women’s Champions League games. But this will also get fans access to the Spanish women’s competition where Hayley Raso will play for Real Madrid this season.

Those keen to watch Ellie Carpenter play for Lyon simply have to sign up to atafootball, which is free. Picture: AFP

Those keen to watch Ellie Carpenter in action simply have to sign up to atafootball, which is free – they also put together handy highlight reels of every match.

The A-League Women’s competition, featuring Tameka Yallop and Cortnee Vine, is free to watch with all games on 10Play. But a subscription to Paramount+ is needed to watch all of the men’s A-League’s games, with just a select number of weekend fixtures broadcast for free on 10 Bold and 10Play.

You would need Optus Sport to watch Caitlin Foord play for Arsenal. Picture: Naomi Baker/Getty Images

Paramount+ has been criticised in the past for its inability to rewind or pause live games. The highlight reels have to be watched on 10Play.

With the Women’s World Cup proving that there is a strong fan base it will be interesting to see what happens as TV rights deals come up for renewal – will Optus Sport make a bid for the A-Leagues or the Champions Leagues?

But with players spread across the globe fans can only dream of living in a world where they can watch all their heroes in action in one place – for one monthly free – not five.

Originally published as Matildas football 2023: The costs associated with watching Australian women’s footballers in domestic competitions