One of Australia’s most favourite sporting teams is set to head behind the paywall under new broadcast deal

After achieving some incredible broadcast numbers through free-to-air access in recent years, the Matildas are set to join other Australian sporting teams behind a television paywall.

Less than two years after breaking Australian free-to-air broadcast records, the Matildas are heading back behind a paywall with two upcoming home friendlies set to be exclusive to live streaming only.

Australia’s favourite women’s sporting team rose to new heights after their heroic semi-final run at the home 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup that captured imaginations and led to astonishing broadcast figures that peaked at 11.15m viewers.

Their incredible run ended at the Olympics, where they bowed out in the group stage, and are yet to recover – winning just three games from nine since the Paris Games.

Under the new broadcast deal, reportedly worth $200 million, between Football Australia and Paramount +, just 15 of the Matildas friendlies between 2025 and 2028 will be available on free to air.

Caitlin Foord has been named in the squad for the upcoming friendlies with South Korea but just one of the two games will be on free-to-air television. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Next week’s two-game series against Korea is the first home friendlies under the new deal and we now know the April 7 clash at Newcastle, plus the June 2 game announced on Thursday against Argentina in Canberra, will not be on free-to-television.

Both games are scheduled for Monday evening when Network 10 will instead air reality TV show Survivor at 7.30pm.

In the recent years home games have been shown on free to air with the away friendlies exclusive to the subscription streaming service.

A Paramount Australia spokesperson said the Matildas game on April 7 will be the first home game broadcast exclusively on the subscription service.

Paramount are set to exclusively broadcast Matildas’ matches in April and June. Picture: Illustration by Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

“When it comes to deciding which matches will be broadcast on free-to-air or exclusively on Paramount+, several factors are considered such as the times and dates of matches, as well as existing programming commitments,” the spokesperson said.

“We also work collaboratively with Football Australia on this.”

During football’s Fox Sports exclusive broadcast era, which ended in 2021, Matildas matches were often simulcast on the ABC or SBS with the 2020 Olympic qualifiers believed to be the last time Australia played at home behind a paywall.

Sam Kerr celebrates scoring her team's first goal during the 2023 Women's World Cup semi-final against England. Picture: Izhar Khan / AFP

The Matildas are not alone in putting national matches behind a paywall.

The Diamonds’ Netball Test matches, Australian men’s one-day cricket internationals or international basketball are other examples of international sport that is not available on free-to-air television and is exclusive to Fox Sports and Kayo.

All International Cricket Council events, including Australian men’s and women’s World Cups, and T20 World Cups are only available via Prime Video.

The 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup India was only available on Amazon Prime apart from select Australian matches including the final. Picture: Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty Images

Fans may not necessarily like it, but the money generated by the broadcast deals for exclusivity is what funds the growth of those games at all levels.

The Paramount Australia spokesperson said under the new four-year deal with Football Australia it would broadcast more than 100 international football games featuring either the Matildas or Socceroos.

“All the big event matches like the Australian matches of the Women’s Asian Cup, Women’s World Cup and Socceroos home World Cup Qualifiers will be on free-to-air,” the spokesperson said.

This type of jubilation the Matildas showed after their World Cup quarterfinal win over France in 2023, Picture: Adam Head

The Federal Government’s anti-siphoning laws only require World Cup games involving Australia’s men’s and women’s team and World Cup qualifiers played on home soil to be shown on free-to-air networks.

The Argentina series announced on Thursday, to be played in Melbourne on May 30 and Canberra on June 2, could be the Matildas comeback for star Sam Kerr.

Kerr hasn’t played for club or country since rupturing her ACL in January 2024.

But her Chelsea coach has hinted her return to the pitch isn’t far off, even naming her in the team’s extended Champions League side.

Kerr hasn’t been included in the squad for the Matildas upcoming games against South Korea but if her recovery stays on track she will likely be available for selection come the May/June window against Argentina.

Also working in her favour is that the English WSL season will be finished by mid-May significantly reducing her workload.

If selected it will likely be a massive homecoming with the opening game of the series to be played at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium which has a capacity of 56,000.

Originally published as One of Australia’s most favourite sporting teams is set to head behind the paywall under new broadcast deal