won't happen in Adelaide people managing the purse strings here have no interest in the sokkha

Part of the problem is the small lead-in time: less than three years until the actual World Cup starts (in contrast to the long lead-in times for other tournaments, e.g. the 2022 WC was decided in 2010, twelve years earlier). If a government committed to building a new stadium or renovating an old one right now, they would just about be able to get it done in time. But before you reach that point you need to find funding, build political support, do the requisite planning (EIS and so on), etc., etc. All that takes time, and the WWC doesn't have enough of it.

There are some places that have tentative plans floating about: a new CBD stadium in Adelaide, a new fully-roofed stadium in Canberra, a rectangular ground in Hobart, but none of them are advanced enough to be actionable at the moment. Probably the best we can hope for is seated end-stands at Hunter Stadium.

It's frustrating because Australia will have hosted three major tournaments by then: Olympics in 2000, Asia Cup in 2015 and WWC in 2023. But the amount of new building done for football-specific facilities is close to zero (there was the Hindmarsh renovation in 2000 and that's about it). And you end up getting ridiculous results like playing games at the Gabba or York Park (at least the Asia Cup was all rectangular stadia).

What’s the incentive for states to build stadiums now for this event when we won the bid? Zero.

If the pressure was applied before a bid, that’s when one could present a case for it to impress FIFA, but once a bid has been won, governments are going to struggle to justify such expenditure.

Training facilities can always be sold as community benefits though, and can be delivered far cheaper. That’s where we should be focusing the attention at this stage, as football specific training and grassroots infrastructure Is where we can build the true foundations of growth as development of the game.

I wouldn't be so sure. FIFA could get rid of as many as five venues from the thirteen in the bid book, especially in the crowded NZ and AEST time zones.

Four venues were cut from the ten in France's bid book for 2019, and three different ones were added for a total of nine in the tournament.

In fact, it could be now a bigger incentive after winning than before for any state governments that don't want to miss out.

Time to apply some leverage while we have it, for once.

Governments are keen to spend money in next 6 to 12 months, so now is the time.
Pointless trying to do it in 18 months.

Looking at the 13 stadiums, 4 have major problems. York Park and Hindmarsh (great football ground but doesn't meet the minimum requirements)  in the Southern region. SFS is a phantom stadium at the moment and Christchurch is also for want of a better word looking shaky.   

The nine others Perth RS, Melbourne RS, Stadium Australia, McDonald Jones, Suncorp, Auckland, Wellington, Dundedin, Waikato look likely to all make the final cut. Remember only 8 have to be used.

Tasmania and S.A. have to decide now if they want to come to the party because in all likelihood with up to 5 stadiums to be dropped they just don't measure up. Three years will go quickly so let's hope previous plans can be dusted off quickly or both states will miss out. 

The problem then comes with only two cities being in the Southern Hub with Melbourne notionally in both the Southern and Eastern hub. One solution then becomes MRS becoming solely in the Southern Hub and sharing Stadium Australia and the SFS between the Southern and Eastern Hub and possibly adding CBUS or Queensland Country to the Eastern Hub     

Southern - Perth RS, Melbourne RS, Stadium Australia, SFS (if built)
Eastern - Stadium Australia, SFS (if built), McDonald Jones, Suncorp, (possible addition if CBUS / Queensland Country)
NZ - Auckland, Wellington, Dundedin, Waikato

SFS is still programmed for completion in the second half of 2022.  Piling work and construction of the basement are expected to be finished this year.

Well that is a plus for the hosting. All I am hearing is PVL asking for upgrades to suburban stadiums.

That is a grab to use the ANZ Stadium money on suburban stadiums.

Can’t see full article 

“

Townsville pushes for World Cup training hub

AUSTRALIA’S successful bid for the 2023 Women’s FIFA World Cup has presented a wealth of opportunities for football to grow, and Townsville is set to reap the benefits. “

https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/local-sport/townsville-pushes-for-world-cup-training-hub/news-story/8a5c43b82faf1ec1b9328e31fa3e22bd

Hope Lambert Park is in the plans.

Qld premier wants Olympic soccer 2032 to be in Cairns and Townsville so they both could be a chance. Not so much focus on SEQ don’t think will change. Who knows?

Anyone know which ground they're proposing to use?

I do understand and agree there are some venues at risk most particularly York Park. I am not privy to what the bid team and FFA have agreed with states and to what extent governments have contributed dollars and are guaranteed subject to FIFA confirmation of course.

I would like nothing better than a 8-12k Hobart stadium for the Cup, I just think a 5-7 year lead in would give time for planning and construction. I also think grassroots facilities are probably a more pressing need and FFT and clubs would be best to use the Cup as a reason for getting upgrades of Training Centres in the South, North and North West for use by WC teams in 2022 and local clubs and players after that.

The bid book has Devonport and Wellesley Park listed as potential World Cup training centres outside Launceston, with Birch Avenue, NTCA and Churchill Park times 2 also listed (noting that neither Launceston City or Riversides grounds ae shortlisted). I am not sure that any of these would be considered international standard at the moment. Whereas there are probably up to a dozen AFL grounds with much better facilities.

Devonport in June/July/August has previously been a complete bog (think previous FFA cup rounds) and could definitely do with investment. I would definitely hope that at least one of the Launceston venues could get a grant to upgrade it to requirements.

“The ACT Government is right to walk away from the Women’s World Cup”

https://the-riotact.com/should-the-act-government-have-paid-a-million-dollars-a-game-to-host-six-matches-in-the-2023-womens-football-world-cup-why-i-think-they-made-the-right-decision-in-knocking-it-back/385956

The entitlement in that article.

Did the author expect to get games there for free? Does he think FIFA getting the ticket revenue for their own tournament is a new development?

The author is going to show evidence of his extraordinary claim of the demand for exclusive access for three months. No reports of any of the other venues being subject to this, so without quotes or evidence presented I call bullshit.

Fair play to complain about not having an A-League team, but neglecting to mention that they've had a W-League team for years in an article about the Women's World Cup is disingenuous at best.

It’s interesting he gets a lot of support in the comments.

If ACT should get part of the gate etc then FIFA should get commission from hotel, taxi, restaurant, cafe, supermarket etc revenue from the tourists. 

Im sure the author may think that only locals should attend in majority and FIFA should pay for the privilege 

Probably not football fans I'd imagine.

If ACT should get part of the gate etc then FIFA should get commission from hotel, taxi, restaurant, cafe, supermarket etc revenue from the tourists.

Im sure the author may think that only locals should attend in majority and FIFA should pay for the privilege

Spot on.

Are any of these soccer grounds/clubs?

“

Close to $60 million in sporting infrastructure upgrades for Grassroots clubs across SA

https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/news/media-releases/news/close-to-$60-million-in-sporting-infrastructure-upgrades-for-grassroots-clubs-across-sa?utm_source=miragenews&utm_medium=miragenews&utm_campaign=news

Yes they and all cities should get games for free.  It stinks that cities can outbid others and effectively shut out fans from alternate venues.  

Basically they're soliciting bribes.

I understand this is the business model now but it's wrong.

Love the reply comment pointing out the ACT government is paying $2.1m.year to stage a handful of AFL games each year 

I can't see how. If FIFA were charging a fee to host cities you might have a point, but from all my reading the amounts discussed are the required spend on facilities. FIFA has every right to set a certain standard for their competitions, in fact they would be negligent if they didn't. If prospective hosts aren't interested in investing in their own infrastructure to get themselves up to standard then they have nobody else but themselves to blame when they miss out.

I'll give you a non football related example.

When the state of origin is held to ransom in NSW  with a pay up or its going to Melbourne.  Same for the Bledisloe.  It's bullshit.  

I think this falls into that category.

It will be interesting to see what slice of the funding pie we end up getting from governments.

Given how strong that AFL and NRL are at lobbying for their cause, even a WWC in 2023 might not be enough of a case to get it to favour us.

I think you're being a bit vague on what "pay up" constitutes. I'm not sure if that means the same thing in the context you're describing, but I don't know anything about what's happening in rugby.

Pay up means give the governing body X millions or we'll take it elsewhere.

Why should say Tasmania for example miss out on a WWC game because they didn't pay enough cash to secure one.  (Yes I know they're getting matches.)

Back in the day internationals were allocated on a semi rotational basis so that fans from all parts of the country had an opportunity to see those games.

Not any more.  Highest bidder wins.  

It shouldn't always be about who has the most money.

This is one of the comments in the article too, and tbf, I think it's a decent viewpoint from the ACT govt.

This is my response from the Chief Minister's office when I asked 'Why no WWC game'.

Thank you for your email to the Chief Minister.

The ACT Government carefully considered the cost and implications of being a host city and determined that it was just not economic and the asking price was too high for the sorts of matches the ACT would have hosted. The cost was exorbitant and would have been among the most expensive events ever run in the ACT.

Rather than spending millions of dollars on one or two games of football that weren’t going to involve the Australian team, the ACT Government is instead investing $20 million in a new ‘Home of Football’ in partnership with Capital Football and Football Federation Australia (FFA) to create a lasting legacy for grassroots. The facility, to be built at Throsby, will include multiple outdoor fields, indoor futsal courts, office space for Capital Football staff and associated amenities. The new headquarters for football in the ACT is expected to be operational during the second half of 2021.

In addition to the $20 million investment from the Government, Capital Football is contributing a further $4.5 million. As part of the partnership, the FFA will be bringing three elite games to Canberra over the next 18 months, including Matildas and Socceroos matches.

Canberra is a sports loving city. As Canberra grows we are committed to delivering more sporting facilities. This Facility, like others around Canberra, will provide an important community hub, encourage families to stay active and provide a place for young Canberrans to progress from grassroots to elite sport if that’s their dream.

Roar announced they’ve secured an $18m investment for a women’s academy at South Pine (North Brisbane) 

I'm a bit confused, are you saying FIFA are charging hosts a fee?

Bit late to this one...

Nations don't build new stadia for Women's World Cups.  They aren't needed.  

What we should be aiming for is as much government support as possible for training facilities, changing room upgrades, etc., at community venues to support preparation and benefit from hosting that will likely bring higher participation rates.  We'll likely get more funding due to it being a women's tournament - but all elements of the game will benefit.  I'm sure the campaigning is already in full swing, via Skype and Zoom.