Football Australia and the NSW Government are thrilled to announce the first home internationals of 2025, with the CommBank Matildas set to take on the Korea Republic in a two-match international friendly series this April.

With just over twelve months until the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ kicks off, fans will witness a preview featuring two of the premier nations in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

The opening match will see the CommBank Matildas take on the reigning AFC Women’s Asian Cup silver medallists, Korea Republic, on Friday, 4 April 2025 (8:00pm AEDT) at Allianz Stadium, Sydney.

The series will then travel north to Newcastle where the second match will take place on Monday, 7 April 2025 (7:30pm AEST) at McDonald Jones Stadium. This marks the CommBank Matildas’ return to the Hunter for the first time since their Cup of Nations campaign in 2023.

Football Australia CEO James Johnson said: "We are delighted to secure Korea Republic for our first home international series of 2025. As we build towards the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, facing high-calibre opposition like Korea Republic is crucial in sharpening the team’s competitive edge.

"With the tournament just over a year away, this series offers fans an exciting preview of the level of competition they can expect on home soil. We look forward to seeing our passionate supporters fill Allianz Stadium and McDonald Jones Stadium to back the CommBank Matildas.

"Sydney and Newcastle have always been incredible supporters of the CommBank Matildas, and we are grateful to the NSW Government and the City of Newcastle for their partnership in bringing these matches to NSW. Their support ensures Australian fans continue to experience world-class football at home," Johnson concluded.

NSW Sports Minister Steve Kamper said: “We’re excited to announce two new major events for NSW with the Matildas secured to play at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium and Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium against Korea Republic.

“It’s going to be an incredibly exciting 12 months of international football for the Matildas culminating in next year’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup tournament with Sydney recently announced as a host city."

The match between the CommBank Matildas and Korea Republic in Sydney is supported proudly by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

Tickets for the Allianz Stadium, Sydney match on 4 April 2025 will go on pre-sale for Football Australia account holders on 10 February at 10am AEDT with general public tickets available on 11 February at 4pm AEDT. Tickets from Ticketek.

Tickets for the McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle match on 7 April 2025 will go on pre-sale for Football Australia account holders on 12 February at 10am AEDT with general public tickets available on 13 February at 4.pm AEDT. Tickets from Ticketmaster.

New Matildas mural officially unveiled at Accor Stadium

The NSW Government has unveiled the artist and artwork that will be projected onto Accor Stadium to celebrate the Matildas’ history-making campaign at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

This is the first mural in a new series that will commemorate the greatest moments in sport and entertainment at Australia’s home of major events at Accor Stadium, which is celebrating 25 years since the 2000 Sydney Olympic and Paralympic Games.

In their first World Cup on home soil, the Matildas progressed through to the semi-final smashing all records in the process across crowds, TV viewership and inspiring a new generation with rapidly increasing participation rates.

Artist Kirthana Selvaraj has painted a striking artwork that captures the key players who inspired a nation. The artwork will be transformed into a 57-metre-long immersive mural that extends across the exterior of Accor Stadium’s Cathy Freeman Stand.

Matildas captain Sam Kerr’s wonder strike and celebration against England has been illustrated in the mural, as has Mackenzie Arnold’s brilliance in goals and young star Courtney Vine’s composure to kick the winning penalty goal against France in the quarter-final, among other key moments.

The public will have an opportunity to view the mural for the first time in April to celebrate the team’s two upcoming Sydney and Newcastle games.

Sydney was the main host city of the tournament, with 11 games and more than 600,000 fans hosted across Accor and Allianz stadiums.

This mural further builds on the NSW Government’s acknowledgement of great female athletes in our sporting venues including through the renaming of Accor Stadium’s eastern grandstand in honour of sporting legend Cathy Freeman OAM.

Premier of NSW Chris Minns said: “It’s long overdue that our nation’s inspirational female athletes are provided with recognition of some of the greatest sporting achievements in our nation’s history.

“The Matildas captivated the nation like never before smashing all kinds of records and inspiring a new generation of sports stars, participants and fans.

“Their game-changing tournament will be perfectly honoured with this mural which will be fittingly projected onto the exterior of the Cathy Freeman Stand – the first grandstand in a major Australian stadium to be named after a female athlete.”

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said: “The saying goes, you can’t be what you can’t see. It’s fair to say the Matildas World Cup campaign opened the eyes of a generation.

“The Matildas effect is still being felt today with more girls and women playing the game thanks to the team’s achievement at the Women’s World Cup.

“This mural will forever celebrate the success of the Matildas who inspired us all.”

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said: “The Matildas are one of our most admired national sporting teams and have inspired a whole generation of women and girls to participate in sports and dream big.

“This mural is a great way to immortalise an incredible sporting moment, as well as public recognition of women’s sporting achievements.

“It also symbolises the NSW government’s ongoing commitment to recognising and empowering women and girls to have full access to opportunity and choice, and excel in the world of sport.”

Artist Kirthana Selvaraj said: “It has been an honour to create this painting commemorating the Matildas during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“Women in sport have always been a vital part of the game’s history, and this work is a celebration of their enduring legacy.

“Through this piece, I hoped to capture not only the strength and grace of the Matildas but also the unyielding spirit and unity they inspire in all of us.

“I hope this artwork stands as a permanent reminder of the impact women have made – and continue to make – not just on the field but in shaping the broader public’s connection to sport. It’s a tribute to the trailblazers who came before, the athletes who shine today, and the young people who will carry their legacy forward.”