The Football Federation of Australia (FFA) have on announced they have secured a long-term deal with the New South Wales government to have internationals played in Sydney for the next five years, with both the Socceroos and Matildas featuring.
Between both the men’s and women’s sides, there will be 11 matches played in New South Wales between now and 2020, with the Matildas to have six of those and the Socceroos five. This includes the upcoming World Cup Qualifier for the Roos, to be played against Jordan on March 29 at Allianz Stadium.
“The Socceroos and the Matildas are the national teams that truly represent Australia in all its diversity and they have a fantastic supporter base in NSW,” said FFA CEO David Gallop.
“These teams are premium brands in the sports landscape and their matches are always popular.”
“The Socceroos qualified for the last World Cup and the won the AFC Asian Cup in Sydney. We look forward to making more history over the next five years.”
Australia’s men’s team will play World Cup qualifiers, following the match against Jordan in 2017, 2019 and 2020 with an international friendly to be held in 2018. This is believed to be in the planning as the final game before Australia leave to Russia for the World Cup, providing they are to qualify once again.
Looking ahead, the Socceroos have up to 11 matches still left in 2016, many of them qualifiers for the World Cup with the next stage of Asian qualifying starting in September, before they play nine in 2017 along with the Confederations Cup and potentially three friendlies in 2018 during the lead up to the World Cup.
The Matildas, have been one of the nations best news stories in recent times, qualifying for the Rio 2016 Olympic games.
David Gallop said: “This agreement also allows us the opportunity to showcase the Matildas on home soil. The Matildas have proven to be tremendous role models for young women at the World Cup and the recent Qualifiers in Japan.”
The agreement with the New South Wales State Government, though, has the potential to raise questions about why other states haven’t locked in agreements for international football to be played. There are still plenty of matches to be locked away of course, with Sydney only being scheduled for a handful over the next five years but it may leave other State Governments scrambling.
Gallop said there has been discussion from other State Governments to try and lock down games, but no agreements had yet been reached.
The Socceroos made history in November last year, playing their first ever International match in Perth against Bangladesh, and with the continued expansion of Football in Australia, the fight for games between states may begin to heat up.
For now, though, the Soccerroos will be getting ready for their upcoming qualifiers against Jordan and Tajikistan which will be played at the Adelaide Oval in another first for football in Australia, while the Matildas prepare for Rio 2016.
Paul
Guest
Might be great if the ticket prices were affordable. Thought about buying 1 adult and 2 junior tickets with the 10% discount for the Greece friendly in Sydney It was totalled at $247 and is a ripoff when paying for crap seats at the Olympic Stadium. Gallop get real and make the future tickets affordable! The FFA have to accept that Socceroo tickets are far too expensive. Maybe they'll be reduced because there will be no head of the A-league
c
Guest
:)
Epiquin
Roar Guru
All the more reason why the NSW government needs to ensure Sydney has this country's (perhaps even the world's) premiere 80,000 seat rectangular stadium.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
I think its highly unlikely the knock down rebuild will happen. Sounds like cooler heads may just prevail on this one with SFS getting a lick of paint and ANZ getting rebuilt.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
I disagree. Even though he said "sport" it sounds like he was talking specifically about the FFA. Furthermore, sounds like he is also talking about a financial perspective, rather than popularity. Given that Sydney is Australia's biggest market, I think its a fair comment.
Kaks
Roar Guru
hahaha love how it's catching on!
Marcel
Guest
At the risk of sounding petty....that's 11 more than the AFL
Waz
Guest
And it's only two games a year under this agreement lol plenty left for other states
Punter
Guest
Clap, clap, clap!!!!
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Yes - the biggest city in Australia will host 11 internationals (mens and womens) over the next four or five years.
Batou
Guest
So let me know if I got this right. The big news is that some of the Socceroos and Matildas games will be played in Sydney for the next five years. Unbelievable. Next thing you know they'll be playing them in Melbourne too!
Kaks
Roar Guru
They are doing that, this was just to announce that the NSW government had secured SOME of the games that the Socceroo's and Matilda's will be playing in the next 5 years..
SVB
Guest
Well governments across the country better step up secure these games. What are they waiting for?
Catnap
Guest
It's the duty of the FFA to take the games around the country so all Australians can see their national teams live and all the kids that give part of there registrations to the FFA!!!!!!
Midfielder
Guest
Tis funny marcel it says a lot about people when they can only find fault ... in heaven it would be how loud the music is ...
Midfielder
Guest
Agree
Marc
Guest
Why wouldn't they? Australia's biggest brand when it comes to international sport.
Ian
Guest
And without Melbourne 'Australian Rules' becomes even more non-existent. Those thousands that attend Socceroos games in all of our capital cities must all fly in from Sydney.
SVB
Guest
Waz I think the NSW government sees the Socceroos and Matildas as the most attractive mens and womens national teams to have playing in this city. Frankly I don't think they would go to such an effort with other national teams. If anything Whisker's comments are more true for the other national teams. They are the ones who need Sydney more than anything and they always ensure they are playing there to get maximum exposure.
Punter
Guest
Love it Kaks