Hotels and registered clubs in NSW will be able to extend their trading hours if they’re broadcasting the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which is expected to be the most attended standalone women’s sporting event in history.
Thousands of fans will descend on sporting precincts across Australia and New Zealand, with 64 matches to be played over 32 days.
Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth are all hosting matches, with the final to be held in Sydney’s Accor Stadium on August 20.
The first match on home soil between Australia and Ireland on Thursday in Sydney is pegged to be the biggest opening night for the event on record.
The NSW government is supporting the event by allowing venues to extend their trading hours to stay open for live games until midnight instead of 10pm on Sunday nights.
The extension will apply to seven matches between July 23 and August 20, including the final.
Sydney attendees are being warned not to drive as 80,000 fans are expected for matches at Accor Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park and another 40,000 for those at Moore Park.
Transport Minister Jo Haylen said the state has put on an extra 1800 public transport services on Thursday to accommodate the surge of people in the city.
“Leave your car at home and jump on a train, light rail or one of thousands of extra bus services to and from the game,” she said.
For ticketholders, the price of public transport is included in the cost so all you have to do is show it to transport staff instead of tapping on.
“You can soak up the atmosphere when you’re first on a train, tram or bus because all the crowds will be there,” Transport for NSW Secretary Howard Collins said.
Collins did warn to allow extra time for catching public transport; even with all the extra services, there will be thousands and thousands of people swarming the city.
“Please be patient and plan your trip ahead using the Transport for NSW website,” Haylen added.
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Football fans are urged to allow a bit of time after the Thursday night game before heading to catch public transport home.
Due to the number of people, there could be chaos.
If you have to drive to the game, this is Haylen’s advice: “Consider using one of the park-and-ride options across the network.”
“If friends or family are dropping you off, consider walking outside the precinct to the game,” she added.
“There will be heavy traffic.”
Any football fans heading to Sydney’s sporting precincts for FIFA events should check the Transport for NSW website for the best routes.
Not only will public transport see unprecedented numbers, NSW Police said officers will be out in force in line with kick-off.
”There will be large number of police in venues across Sydney including Olympic Park, Moore Park and Darling Harbour,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman said.
“We won’t tolerate anti-social behaviour or criminal behaviour.”
Chapman said police have one message for football fans this week: ”Come out and enjoy this fabulous event it is going to be fantastic but be patient, be respectful of those around you and make this an event that you remember for all the right reasons.”
Kick-off for the Matildas v Ireland is at 8pm at Accor Stadium on Thursday.
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