The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup kicks off on Thursday, July 20. Thirty-two women's soccer teams will play in Australia and New Zealand, as one of the biggest events in women's sports takes centre stage.
Stadiums across New Zealand will be used for the tournament, and the tournament will kick off in Auckland as New Zealand play Norway. Four venues will host matches in New Zealand throughout the Women's World Cup's group stage and knockout rounds. One of the tournament's two semifinals will be held in Auckland, bringing New Zealand's time as host to an end.
Women's soccer fans are debating which national team will lift the tournament's trophy. Will it be the Americans for a record fifth time or another country? Fans can use the bet365 to get a bet bonus for the upcoming event.
Here is a look at New Zealand's four stadiums being used during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Eden Park is New Zealand's largest soccer stadium being used for the Women's World Cup. The stadium will host the first game of the tournament between New Zealand and Norway. Eden Park originally opened in 1900, playing host to various rugby, cricket, and soccer matches over the years. It has a capacity of just over 42,200 for this year's competition. Eden Park will also host one of the two semifinals.
Wellington Regional Stadium is much younger than Eden Park. The stadium opened in 2000 and is the home of a variety of sports teams from the city. Both Wellington Phoenix men's and women's soccer teams play at the venue. Hurricanes Super Rugby team call it home, too. Wellington Regional Stadium will have a capacity of 39,000 for the Women's World Cup. Nine matches will be played at the stadium, including a quarterfinal game.
Forsyth Barr Stadium is New Zealand's only World Cup stadium with a roof. Indeed, it is this year's tournament's only indoor venue. The architecture for the Forsyth Barr Stadium is unique. It will certainly catch the eye of visitors or viewers on television. The arena opened in 2011 and is the world's only fully closed stadium with a grass surface.
Over the years, Forsyth Barr has been used for soccer, rugby, basketball, and netball games. The stadium will have a capacity of just under 29,000 for the Women's World Cup. Six group stage matches will be held at the stadium in Dunedin. Unfortunately, the beautiful stadium won't hold any knockout stage matches.
Hamilton's Waikato Stadium is New Zealand's smallest arena in terms of capacity at the 2023 Women's World Cup. Only Australia's Hindmarsh stadium in Adelaide has a smaller capacity. Five group stage matches will be played in Hamilton, but like the Forsyth Barr Stadium, no knockout stage fixtures will occur there.
Opened in 2002, Waikato is mostly used for rugby fixtures. However, it has played host to soccer games and tournaments over the years. In 2008, it was the host venue for the FIFA U17 World Cup. In 2015, it hosted the FIFA U20 World Cup.
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