Following their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019TM campaign in France, the Matildas have received unparalleled levels of support, being ranked as Australia’s most-loved sporting team according to the BenchMark Emotional Connection study, conducted by True North Research.
The positive groundswell of support during and post the Women’s World Cup is evident in an influx of celebrity and fan support across social media, an increase in viewership figures for their 2019 matches, and growth in 2023 bid supporter registrations.
Since October 2018, when Australia announced their push to host the 2023 tournament, the bid supporter tally has risen to over 300,000 Australians on the official www.AusBid2023.com website.
The top spot on the BenchMark EC Ladder™ for the Matildas only means a stronger drive and push until October 4, when Australia’s Bid Book is submitted to FIFA. The continual support and growing online community demonstrate to FIFA that Australia is passionate to welcome the world and bring the Women’s World Cup to home soil in 2023.
SBS has revealed that the 2019 event saw an incredible increase in viewership figures despite the time difference, with a whopping 1.39 million Australians watching the Matildas battle it out during the opening weekend - almost double the visibility of the last tournament in 2015.
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Overall, the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019TM has also seen an increase of interest compared to the 2015 edition, with SBS viewership reaching more than 2.8 million Australians.
Australians far and wide shared their support for the Matildas on social media with Australian celebrities and athletes including Guy Sebastian, Andrew Bogut, Tayla Harris, Ash Barty and Cate Campbell calling on their millions of followers worldwide to get behind the girls.
Politicians such as the PM Scott Morrison and Tanya Plibersek, and media personalities, Mel McLaughlin, Mark Schwarzer and Jacqui Mooney, also tweeted their support for the Matildas throughout the tournament.
“The support we felt on the ground, as well as the influx of messages the whole team received was amazing,” Matildas captain Sam Kerr said.
“I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to play in two World Cups now at the pinnacle of our sport. The chance to play on home soil in 2023 would be a dream come true.
"The support we received in France was overwhelming and to have that in Australia, on a bigger scale, would be unbelievable.”
With the Matildas currently ranking number one as Australia’s most emotionally connected team, FFA Chief Executive Officer, David Gallop AM, believes Australia’s time to host the event is now.
“This is our opportunity to show the world that we would host an incredible FIFA Women’s World Cup. We have a nation that will get behind our team and a history of hosting spectacular sporting events,” Gallop said.
“Now is the time to unite all Australians and show your support in bringing the next tournament here.”
Australians are encouraged to #GetOnside and show their support for the Bid at https://www.AusBid2023.com/
