Newcastle leading race to host a FIFA Women's World Cup team

Newcastle's premier No. 2 Sportsground has been short-listed as a dedicated team base camp training site during the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.

More than 30 nations will be travelling to Australia and New Zealand for the month-long tournament kicking off on 19 July through to 20 August 2023, and Newcastle’s No. 2 Sportsground could become a home-away-from-home for one of the teams.

For the first time in FIFA Women’s World Cup history, 35 short-listed team base camp options are available for selection by Participating Member Associations to be used as a dedicated training site during the competition for their entire delegation.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Newcastle has cemented its reputation as a major sporting and events host destination and would jump at the chance to welcome a FIFA Women's World Cup team.

"City of Newcastle is committed to elevating women in sport and we are excited at the prospect of welcoming some of the world’s best female footballers to Newcastle in their preparation for a month of elite and exciting international competition,” Cr Nelmes said.

“Newcastle's No. 2 Sportsground is a world-class facility, home to the A-league Womens’ Jets and regularly welcomes elite-level sporting fixtures like the USA national soccer team who trained on the grounds in preparation for their games against the Matildas last year.

“In 2019, No. 2 Sportsground also played host to a women's international rugby game between the Wallaroos and Japan.

"As the world’s biggest women’s sporting event, it is expected that more than one billion people across the world will tune in to watch the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, and City of Newcastle would be thrilled to welcome one of the teams for their preparations.

“Hosting a team would provide an invaluable opportunity to showcase Newcastle’s broader attractions to players and their large support contingent whilst offering invaluable flow-on effects for the city’s local economy.

“In the event that Newcastle is selected by FIFA as a team base camp, City of Newcastle will work closely with impacted user groups.”

FIFA are expected to confirm team base camps by 15 December 2022.