The countdown to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™ is well and truly on. Earlier this week it was announced that over 500,000 tickets had already been sold, whilst reigning champions the USA played co-hosts New Zealand in front of a record attendance for a Ferns home international, of over 12,500. To engage local communities around both Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, A Unity Pitch in the tournament’s colourful livery - representing a patchwork of the tournament brand colours, reflecting the two unique local cultures of the co-hosts, and the coming together of 32 participating nations - will tour each of the tournament’s nine Host Cities.

After Adelaide / Tarntanya in midweek, the futsal-sized mobile pitch can currently be found in Te Komititanga Square in the Commercial Bay precinct of Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland until Sunday 22 January. Te Komititanga means ‘to mix’ or ‘to merge’ in Māori. As well as the mixing of people, the name reflects the square’s location where the waters of Waitematāand Wai Horotiu, the stream that runs under Queen Street into the harbour, merged. There will be a range of fun events and activities to enjoy – and it’s all free. The schedule includes an opportunity for fans of all abilities, including those who are visually impaired, to test their football skills, a chance to high five FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 mascot Tazuni as well as earlier today, a meet and greet with the Football Ferns.

The activation coincides with the international between the Football Ferns and world champions the USA at Eden Park on Saturday 21 January at 4.05pm (local time) and is a hint of what is to come when the global tournament kicks off in July. The Unity Pitch will next travel to Hamilton / Kirikiriroa (17-20 February), Dunedin / Ōtepoti (9-12 March), and Wellington / Te Whanganui-a-Tara (11-14 April). More international action comes to Auckland next month for the first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup Play-Off Tournament at North Harbour Stadium. Tickets are on sale now at www.fifa.com/tickets