The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) has today confirmed the opening round fixtures of the Liberty A-League Women 2023-24 season, with a move to large stadiums to mark the first standalone opening round.
The Liberty A-League season kicks off on October 14 and 15 with a standalone celebration of women’s football
CommBank Matilda Cortnee Vine will play in a Sydney derby at Allianz Stadium in Round One
Central Coast Mariners open their return season with an F3 derby at Industree Group Stadium
Wellington Phoenix to play at 34,000 capacity Sky Stadium and Adelaide United at 16,500 capacity Coopers Stadium
All six fixtures will be played across the weekend of October 14-15, with the opening round being played a week before the men’s league for the first time ever.
Saturday October 14 will kick off with the brand new Central Coast Mariners team in an F3 Derby at Industree Group Stadium on the Central Coast, followed by a Sydney Derby at Allianz Stadium. Sydney FC’s home game will feature returning CommBank Matilda Cortnee Vine in her ‘welcome home’ match at the venue which featured heavily in the record-breaking 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
With unprecedented hype around women’s football, the APL has also confirmed round one will be a standalone celebration of women’s football as the Liberty A-League Women aim to break domestic attendance records in major venues following the history-making FIFA Women’s World Cup, including 34,500 capacity Sky Stadium in Wellington and 16,500 capacity Coopers Stadium in Adelaide.
Nick Garcia, Commissioner of the A-Leagues, said: “We are delighted to announce these first round fixtures as we set our sights on record breaking domestic attendances for the opening weekend. We know there is a huge appetite for football in Australia and New Zealand right now, so if you loved the last month, then come and be part of what will be a very special experience.
“Our work to capitalise on the FIFA Women’s World Cup began more than two years ago, we’ve since added three more teams, and we start this season with a full home-and-away season, every game available live and free, and a blockbuster round of opening games.”
The opening round will kickstart a Liberty A-League season like no other, which will be the longest in the history of the game, with a 22-game regular season, in line with global benchmarks.
