The Women’s World Cup has seen a remarkable 30 percent increase in attendances compared to the tournament held in 2019, according to FIFA’s announcement on Friday. With matches taking place in Australia and New Zealand, the event has exceeded expectations in multiple aspects.
The data provided by FIFA reveals that after 48 matches, an impressive 1,222,839 fans have already flocked through the turnstiles. This significant surge represents a remarkable 29 percent rise in attendance compared to the same stage of the tournament held in France four years ago.
On average, over 25,000 spectators have been present in each match of this thrilling World Cup, with certain games witnessing sell-out crowds. While Australia has consistently boasted impressive attendance figures, New Zealand has had slightly lower turnouts, with instances of under 7,000 spectators watching a match in Dunedin where Japan triumphed over Costa Rica with a 2-0 scoreline.
In total, more than 1,715,000 tickets have been sold so far, surpassing the original target of 1.3 million set for the tournament. Excitement continues to build, and FIFA’s women’s football chief, Sarai Bareman, confidently predicts that the final will welcome more than 1.9 million passionate fans through the stadium gates.
Bareman expresses her delight with the tournament’s success, stating that it has exceeded their expectations in numerous ways. Notably, the broadcast figures have been overwhelmingly positive worldwide, despite some matches being subject to TV paywalls. The clash between the United States and the Netherlands emerged as the most-watched Women’s World Cup group stage game ever in America, illustrating the rising interest in women’s football.
Bareman attributes this surge in interest to the growth of women’s football, which has led to narrower gaps between top teams and more competitive matches. The group phase saw major upsets, with last year’s European Championship runners-up Germany, along with Brazil, Italy, and Olympic champions Canada, failing to advance. Instead, teams like Morocco, Nigeria, Jamaica, and South Africa progressed, showcasing the evolving landscape of women’s football on the global stage.
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