Record-Breaking Crowds Elevate Women’s World Cup in New Zealand

The Women’s World Cup has significantly boosted the sport in co-hosts New Zealand, with record-breaking attendance figures, according to the head of the country’s football governing body. The semi-final match between Spain and Sweden, which ended in a thrilling 2-1 victory for Spain, drew a capacity crowd of 43,217 at Auckland’s Eden Park. This attendance equaled the highest recorded for any men’s or women’s match in New Zealand.

While the remaining Women’s World Cup matches are set to take place in Australia, the matches held in New Zealand attracted over 700,000 fans across 29 games, as reported by football officials.

Andrew Pragnell, the Chief Executive of New Zealand Football, emphasized the remarkable shift in the perception of football, especially women’s football, within the country due to this tournament. The opening day of the tournament itself witnessed a record attendance of 42,137 as New Zealand defeated Norway in Auckland.

Attendance records were subsequently broken during Spain’s last-16 triumph over Switzerland and Sweden’s quarter-final win against Japan, both drawing full houses of 43,217 at Eden Park. This record was matched during the semi-final clash.

Pragnell remarked, “This tournament has set a new benchmark for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, starting from the historic opening match at Eden Park where the Football Ferns secured victory against Norway.” Notably, New Zealand had also hosted women’s cricket and rugby World Cups in 2022, reinforcing the nation’s capability to successfully organize world-class major sporting events.