Music, entertainment, food and football — fans will get to enjoy all these at free-entry Fan Festivals in New Zealand’s four host cities for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
FIFA have confirmed FIFA Fan Festivals will be rolled out at a Women’s World Cup for the first time at venues in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Dunedin.
In its announcement, FIFA says:
“All FIFA Fan Festivals will offer free entry to people of all ages, providing a vibrant destination to celebrate the global game and experience the best in football, music, entertainment, local culture, food and games.
“Fans will be able to watch the tournament drama unfold on big screens at each venue.”
Main photo: Fan Festivals were a feature at the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup in Qatar. Photo credit: FIFA.com.
FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura said:
“Whether you are an avid fan or a football newcomer, the FIFA Fan Festival provides an exciting entertainment space that brings people together beyond football.
“Our mission is to make football truly global, accessible and inclusive, and these exciting events provide an opportunity to experience football in new ways in a fun festival environment.”
The Women’s World Cup will run from July 20 to August 20, 2023, and Fan Festivals will take place at all nine host cities in New Zealand and Australia.
“To provide the best possible experience for visitors, the events at each venue will be tailored to the local climate, matchdays and kick-off times,” FIFA says.
Aotearoa New Zealand venues
Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau – The Cloud
Hamilton/Kirikiriroa – Claudelands Event Centre
Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-Tara – Shed 6
Dunedin/Ōtepoti – Dunedin Town Hall & Glenroy Auditorium
The Cloud
Claudelands Events Centre
Shed 6
Dunedin Town Hall & Glenroy Auditorium
Australian venues
Adelaide/Tarntanya – Festival Plaza
Brisbane/Meaanjin – South Bank Parklands
Melbourne/Naarm – Federation Square
Perth/Boorloo – Forrest Place
Sydney/Gadigal – Tumbalong Park
Formerly known as the FIFA Fan Fest, this one-stop destination for fans had previously appeared at four editions of the FIFA World Cup, starting with the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany.
It debuted in its new form as the FIFA Fan Festival at last year’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Further announcements will be made in the lead-up to the tournament regarding opening times, music acts and other activities.
More football stories
