The A-League, Australia’s premier football competition, is seeing a surge in membership sign-ups ahead of the new women’s season commencing on October 14th.
Feeling inspired by the Matildas‘ groundbreaking performance at the World Cup? You’re certainly not alone! Our history-making Matildas‘ World Cup performance appears to have sparked an unprecedented enthusiasm for women’s soccer in Australia.
This uptick in support has prompted Football Australia to move the upcoming crucial Paris Olympic qualifier against the Philippines to the 60,000-capacity Optus Stadium, ready to accommodate an additional 40,000 excited fans.
But it’s not just the national team garnering support. The upcoming A-League women’s (ALW) season is experiencing a tidal wave of excitement, with an astounding spike in membership sign-ups.
Like what you see? Sign up to our bodyandsoul.com.au newsletter for more stories like this.
The ALW is made up of eleven clubs. Brisbane Road, Adelaide United, Canberra United, Central Coast United, Melbourne City, Melbourne Victory, Newcastle Jets, Perth Glory, Sydney FC, Wellington Phoenix and Western Sydney Wanderers.
The Central Coast Mariners will join the women’s league this year, bringing the total number of teams in line with the men’s competitions. And, ahead of the exciting 2023/24 season, five clubs are boasting their highest-ever membership sign-ups, with the others not far behind, poised to surpass last season’s records.
Sydney FC, the proud home of World Cup squad member Cortnee Vine, has seen a 1223 per cent increase in sign-ups. Sydney FC CEO Adam Santo can hardly contain his excitement for the next „momentous“ season.
“This is a historic moment for football in this country, and I’m excited to see people are rushing out to buy their Sydney FC Memberships,” a delighted Santo says.
For less than $11 per fixture, Sydney FC’s Memberships include access to matchdays, including doubleheaders, unique events, insider access, and discounts. But the excitement does not end there; Brisbane Roar, home to the brilliant Tameka Yallop from the Matildas squad, is also experiencing a 1571 per cent spike in membership.
New Roar COO Zac Anderson highlighted the „unbelievable response“ on the club’s website, announcing that „we are now well over 1,000 A-League Women’s memberships.“
Stadiums will also be filled with unprecedented crowds for Newcastle Jets (98 per cent increase), Melbourne Victory (75 per cent increase), and Canberra United (24 per cent increase). Because actual membership statistics have yet to be completed, these are expressed as a percentage of the previous season’s values.
A-league commissioner Nick Garcia welcomed the league’s „fantastic“ growth trend, saying he is „excited to see this momentum continue“ in the coming season. Garcia also pointed to a „rising interest among the next generation of fans,“ with over 17,000 children signing up for a free season pass since the World Cup.
With the Liberty A-League Pass, children under 16 can attend every Liberty A-League match, on any day, at any location, in Australia during the 2023/24 Liberty A-League Women home and away season!
Mark your calendars on October 14, when the ALW season begins off with a bang, setting the stage for the men’s season debut the following weekend.