The Women’s World Cup 2023 promised to be an exhilarating tournament, showcasing the incredible talent and passion of women’s football on a global stage. As the tournament was jointly hosted by Australia and Aotearoa- New Zealand, we had the privilege of witnessing some captivating matches right here in Te whananui a Tara- Wellington. However, we also encountered a significant barrier that prevented large families from attending together due to financial constraints.
While the ticket prices were reasonable, with $30 for adults and $15 for children, the affordability issue became apparent when it came to large families. Let’s consider the perspective of a family consisting of 2 adults and 3 kids. The cost of tickets alone amounted to $105, without even factoring in additional expenses. For the communities we work alongside, this amount was a substantial burden and a luxury that some simply couldn’t afford.
Obtaining the tickets proved to be a daunting task, initially appearing as a mission impossible. The official FIFA app was the sole method of accessing tickets, and it imposed a limit of five tickets per transaction. This restriction posed a significant barrier for some community members, necessitating additional support to ensure that everyone could experience the World Cup games in Wellington.
Amidst these challenges, we were thrilled to secure 100 tickets from the Ministry of Youth and Development, along with a code that provided free access to tickets from the Ministry of Women. Additionally, CRF purchased some tickets specifically for the youth, enabling them to attend the game between New Zealand and the Philippines. In total, we distributed 170 tickets to community members, allowing them to be part of this extraordinary sporting event.
We wanted to shed light on the efforts made to make the Women’s World Cup accessible to as many people as possible, particularly those facing financial constraints. Our belief is that everyone should have the opportunity to witness this remarkable event and marvel at the talent displayed by these exceptional athletes. Despite the challenges faced, we were able to overcome obstacles and distribute tickets to community members, ensuring that the spirit of inclusivity prevailed.
Here are some of the feedbacks that we received from community members who attended some of the games:
“I really enjoy with friends and family; we had a really good time.”
“It was my first time to have this amazing experience absolutely amazing. I’m very thankful your guys ☺️😁I’m so happy.”
“It was a good experience to enjoy with family and friends, nothing wrong everything was fabulous.”
