100 days to go! Counting down to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023

The Spanish Women’s Football Team will be based at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University’s Sport Institute on the Manawatū campus before and during the tournament, which is being held in July and August.

In September 2022, Minister for Sport and Recreation Grant Robertson announced $19 million of Government funding to support upgrades at match, training and Team Base Camp venues. The Sport Institute received $325,000 from the funding round, in order to get the facilities up to the required FIFA standards.

Sport Advancement Manager Jacob Oram says work is progressing well on the developments, which include the renovation of the main pitch, upgrading the field lights and some minor facility renewals indoors, including making the toilets and changing facilities gender inclusive.

“These developments will deliver benefits in the short term for Massey and the Manawatū, as well as providing longer term positive effects on football and footballers in the region for years to come,” he says.

“The Sport Institute will be in great condition when Spain arrive. They are a top tier team, and I know there’s a lot of excitement around them being here. I’ve no doubt Massey staff and students, and the wider Palmerston North community, will get right behind Spain who are one of the most prestigious football teams in the world right now. It’s an honour to host them,” Mr Oram adds.

The opening game is 20 July, where New Zealand take on Norway at Auckland’s Eden Park. Spain’s first game is against Costa Rica on 21 July at Wellington Regional Stadium. Tickets are available from today.

The tournament is being played in nine host cities across New Zealand and Australia between 20 July and 20 August. The 29 matches in Aotearoa New Zealand will be played at Auckland’s Eden Park, Hamilton’s Waikato Stadium, Wellington Regional Stadium and Dunedin Stadium.