Sydney and Perth will host majority of the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup
The 2026 Women’s Asian Cup is set to take place in Australia from March 1-21, with matches being held at five venues across Sydney, Perth, and the Gold Coast, as announced by organizers on Wednesday. This tournament marks Australia’s most significant soccer event since it co-hosted the Women’s World Cup alongside New Zealand in 2023.
The majority of the matches will occur at either end of the country. Sydney will feature games at Stadium Australia and Western Sydney Stadium, while in Western Australia, matches are scheduled at both Perth Stadium and Perth Rectangular Stadium. Meanwhile, the Gold Coast will host fixtures at Gold Coast Stadium, representing the Southeast Queensland area.
Football Australia has indicated that the proposed schedule and choice of venues must receive approval during an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Executive Committee meeting slated for early December. According to the AFC’s hosting protocols, stadiums are required to be reserved solely for the tournament for its entire duration. This stipulation potentially eliminated major cities like Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide from consideration as their domestic leagues are likely to be ongoing in significant venues during that time.
Football Australia’s CEO, James Johnson, acknowledged the importance of Melbourne, known for being the nation’s largest city and a hub for sports, indicating that the governing body values its significance. However, he noted that the top three bids for hosting cities that were selected had been carefully evaluated and deemed the strongest. Johnson expressed optimism about fostering the growth of player participation in Queensland, particularly in the Gold Coast area, stating satisfaction with the decision made.
The Women’s World Cup in Australia drew massive crowds and impressive television ratings, proving the nation’s enthusiasm for sports as the host team made it to the semi-finals. The most recent Women’s Asian Cup, which took place in India in 2022, saw China emerge victorious.
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As excitement builds towards the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup, the event’s potential to attract significant international attention and boost local engagement with women’s sports is palpable. With all eyes on the teams competing and the venues chosen, this championship promises to showcase the talents of female athletes while promoting s