Co-host New Zealand will open the tournament today against Norway, before the Matildas take on Republic of Ireland in front of more than 70,000 fans at Stadium Australia.

While the overall ticket sales across both host countries of 1.3 million have exceeded expectations, the tournament has not yet surpassed the stretched target of 1.5 million ticket sales. The tournament is in a strong position to break this number in the near future, which will be well in excess of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup held in France, where 1.1 million tickets - the current event record - were sold.

"We are thrilled with the strong ticket sales for the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023," James Johnson, CEO of Football Australia, said. "Surpassing one million tickets sold in Australia alone is a remarkable achievement, and we are confident in our ability to break the 1.5 million ticket sales target across both host countries soon. 

"This is a testament to the unwavering support for women's football and the excitement surrounding the tournament.

"These strong ticket sales not only reflect the immense popularity of women's football but also underlines the historic nature of this event. With an expected worldwide broadcast audience of two billion people, the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 will showcase the extraordinary talent and athleticism of female players to a global audience. 

"We are excited to witness the impact of this tournament on inspiring future generations, which is propelling women's football to new heights."