The host city of Wellington is hoping that the arrival of their Football Ferns will generate more excitement for the Women’s World Cup. The early matches at the 33,132-capacity Sky Stadium have failed to attract large crowds. However, a record crowd of 42,137 watched the New Zealand team secure their first-ever World Cup victory at Eden Park. Despite this, the tournament has had a slow start in the New Zealand capital.
The match between Spain and Costa Rica on Friday only drew 22,966 spectators, which is less than 70% of the stadium’s capacity. Similarly, the match between Sweden and South Africa on Sunday had a crowd that was only 55% of the stadium’s capacity. A Sweden supporter expressed disappointment, stating that they expected more people to be dressed up for the event.
Co-host Australia had driven early ticket sales, with FIFA reporting over a million tickets sold more than a month before the tournament began. However, New Zealand residents were slower to purchase tickets, leading FIFA to offer 20,000 free tickets in the days leading up to the kick-off.
Kevin Argus, a senior lecturer from RMIT University, believes that organizers need to inform people about the uniqueness of watching teams that are not the national team and may not be highly ranked. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling to generate interest in the matches.
Despite the slow start, the arrival of the Ferns for their match against the Philippines is expected to draw a full crowd. A win in this match would keep the Ferns’ hopes alive of advancing from the group stage. Additionally, the match between the United States and the Netherlands is also sold out.
Warrick Dent, the general manager of WellingtonNZ for events and experiences, is optimistic about building momentum and encouraging different communities to watch the games. He sees this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for New Zealanders to support the tournament.
In conclusion, Wellington is hoping that the arrival of the Football Ferns will generate more excitement for the Women’s World Cup. While early matches had low attendance, there is optimism for increased interest as the tournament progresses.
