Dunedin mayor Jules Radich with Cup mascot Tazuni Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton
Some matches for the 2023 Women's Football World Cup are nearly sold out despite individual tickets only going on sale earlier today.
The Cup is being co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, and kicks off in July next year.
Jerseys on and boots ready, the future of women's football spent the morning finding the back of the net at the Women's World Cup launch in Dunedin this morning.
Sixteen-year-old Madi McLean picked up the sport when she was about eight and now plays for the Queenstown Rovers.
It would be an inspiration for many to see high calibre players on their home turf and nearby fields, she said.
"Women's football in New Zealand is already growing rapidly and just with the introduction of this World Cup, it will just be a massive hit in New Zealand.
"I just feel really grateful especially Dunedin's one of the places that's going to be for the games so I can come along, come watch and it will just be a really good time."
Football players Madi McLean and Charlie Elliott Women's at the World Cup launch in Dunedin. Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton
Roslyn Wakari football player Charlie Elliott had her eye on a few matches, especially the Football Ferns games.
"I'm very excited to go and watch the USA versus Netherlands ... that will be a great game especially from the previous World Cup so that will definitely be exciting."
Defender Hannah Mackay-Wright played in the under 17 Women's World Cup for New Zealand in 2018, claiming bronze.
It was a once in a lifetime chance to watch a world cup in her home city, she said.
"Going over the draw last night and it's actually awesome the quality of teams. We've got Japan, Netherlands, Switzerland. It's unreal really to be able to have five minutes away from my house walk and watch that kind of game."
Women's World Cup 2023 chief executive Dave Beeche at the World Cup launch in Dunedin. Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton
Women's World Cup 2023 chief executive Dave Beeche said it had been a promising start for sales.
"We've had a pre-sales period which has blown away all our expectations in terms of early demand.
"So today we go on-sale with individual ticket sales. The early interest even this morning has been fantastic. Eden Park's nearly sold out for the match allocation for the opening game so really strong interest."
People should get in early because matches would sell out, with thousands of fans from the US, UK and China already buying tickets, he said.
It would be a boon for the economy, Beeche said.
"With the early work we did going back two or three years ago was that this tournament would attract 25,000 international visitors, generating an economic impact of $200 million.
"I think we're going to blow those out of the water, particularly now we know the US are going to be based here during the group stage. The people we're talking to in the US alone are saying that they think they'll bring 20,000 to 40,000 supporters just for that team."
The government had already pitched in some funding to help get fields, lights and training pitches up to scratch, but Beeche said Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium was already a world class venue.
Women and girls make up about 20 percent of the playing population covered by Football South.
Football South chief executive Dougal McGowan at the World Cup launch in Dunedin. Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton
Football South chief executive Dougal McGowan was hopeful more would lace up their boots after the world cup.
"It's aspirational for the young women playing the game. Not only for those who are five, six, seven, but those who are 18 and 19 because then they can see what it's like to be part of it.
"We've seen it with the Women's Rugby World Cup about how it lifts people up, how it makes people feel good. But it also gives aspirational pathways for our young women to be the best that they possibly can in whatever they want to be and do."
He was on the lookout for people keen to join their volunteer army in the lead up.
Dunedin mayor Jules Radich was thrilled the southern city would host six matches.
"Very pleased that we are the premier city in the South Island hosting this tournament.
"We're looking forward to those six games. It will be a big influx of visitors, but whoever chooses Dunedin as their host city will find that the city will get well in behind the team."
The first game of the Women's World Cup will kick off on the 20 July 2023.
