FIFA has announced that it will give out 20,000 free tickets for the Women’s World Cup games taking place in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, and Dunedin.
This choice was made in reaction to worries about weak ticket sales in New Zealand. The majority of the 1 million tickets that have been sold so far have gone to co-hosts Australia, whose national team, the “Matildas,” is regarded as one of the favorites to win the tournament.
Sales of tickets in New Zealand have been slower because the “Football Ferns” have failed to win any games in their previous five World Cup appearances.
FIFA’s main women’s football officer, Sarai Bareman, recognized that the sport’s lack of popularity in New Zealand makes it difficult to draw crowds to football venues.
A further 5,000 free tickets for games in the four host cities of New Zealand are being provided by Xero, the event’s official partner this year, to increase attendance.
Jacinda Ardern, a former leader of New Zealand, has also used social media to raise awareness of the competition.
She encouraged followers to take advantage of the tickets that are still available and share in the excitement in an Instagram post, expressing how thrilled she was to host such a big event.
The Women’s World Cup campaign for New Zealand’s national side, the Football Ferns, will begin on July 20 in Auckland against past winners Norway.
Free tickets are being distributed to draw in a larger crowd and foster a lively atmosphere in the stadiums throughout the competition, showcasing the skill and passion of women’s football on a grand scale.
