The Matildas are returning to Western Australia for a blockbuster international friendly series this winter — and for the first time, they’ll be playing a match in Australia’s South West.
The four-match series will see the CommBank Matildas take on Slovenia and Panama in both Perth and Bunbury across June and July, offering WA fans a final chance to see their national team in action before they gear up for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
Match Schedule:
- Thursday, June 26th – Matildas vs Slovenia, HBF Park, Perth
- Sunday, June 29th – Matildas vs Slovenia, HBF Park, Perth
- Saturday, July 5th – Matildas vs Panama, Hands Oval, Bunbury
- Tuesday, July 8th – Matildas vs Panama, HBF Park, Perth
The Matildas last played in Perth during the Olympic Qualifiers in October 2023 — a series that broke WA sporting records, drawing over 59,000 fans to Optus Stadium for their clash against the Philippines — the largest crowd ever for a women’s sporting event in the state. It also injected more than $4 million into the WA economy.
A First for Regional WA
Bunbury’s Hands Oval will host its first-ever Matildas match, making it the first regional WA location to stage an international women’s football game. The move is being celebrated as a win for South West fans and part of a broader effort to decentralise major events and spread economic benefits across the state.
Tourism Minister Reece Whitby said the series was another step forward in WA’s love affair with the national team:
“Western Australians love the Matildas, and it’s fantastic to welcome them back to Perth for another international series”
“Hosting the Matildas for the first time in regional WA is a huge milestone and shows our commitment to spreading the benefits of these major events beyond the metro area.”
Sport and Recreation Minister Rita Saffioti echoed the sentiment:
“Hosting these events clearly has fantastic benefits for WA, bringing great value to our State’s economy while providing our community the opportunity to experience international football right here in WA.”
“Of course, we’re particularly excited this time round to provide people living in the South West with the opportunity to see their idols play at Hands Oval in Bunbury without having to travel to Perth.”
This series isn’t just a fan favourite — it’s strategically important. With the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 kicking off in Perth, and Optus Stadium confirmed to host the tournament’s opening match and ceremony, the WA friendlies offer the Matildas vital preparation time together.
The timing also comes as interest in the Matildas continues to soar. Following their fourth-place finish in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023, the team’s popularity has skyrocketed. Merchandise sales, TV ratings, and match attendance have surged nationwide — a trend that shows no signs of slowing.
