The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup takes place in New Zealand and Australia beginning on July 20th and running through the final on August 20th. As we approach the start of the tournament, this Women’s World Cup Fact Guide is here to help you navigate through some of the things that are helpful to know as you travel through New Zealand and Australia during the tournament. FIFA also has a Digital Fan Guide for reference as you travel throughout both countries to enjoy the tournament.

Capital: Wellington

Population: 5.1 million

Exchange rate: $1 USD = $1.63 NZD (as of June 26, 2023) 

Time Zone: NZST (New Zealand Standard Time). During the tournament, New Zealand Standard Time will be 16 hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Time and 19 hours ahead of Pacific Daylight Time.

Average July/August temperature: 59/46

Capital: Canberra

Population: 26 million

Exchange rate: $1 USD = $1.50 AUD (as of June 26, 2023)

Time Zone: AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time). Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, which are the only cities where the USWNT could play during the tournament, will be on Australian Eastern Standard Time. AEST will be 14 hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Time and 17  hours ahead of Pacific Daylight Time

Average July/August temperature: 61/46

Covid Testing 

Currently, there is no vaccination requirement when entering New Zealand or Australia. However, we urge everyone traveling to get their vaccinations and/or boosters in advance of heading over for the tournament. 

Continue to monitor the Covid-19 guidelines pages for both New Zealand and Australia for the most updated information on requirements to enter the country. Everyone traveling to the Women’s World Cup will be responsible for ensuring they have completed all the requirements for entry. 

Tickets can be acquired through the FIFA World Cup ticketing website. Your tickets will also show up on  that site, and will be where you transfer or resell any tickets you have.

You can view and download your tickets on the FIFA Women’s World Cup ticket app (Apple, Google).

There is no “AO section” for USWNT matches at the Women’s World Cup. All FIFA competitions are assigned seating, and it’s not guaranteed that all the American fans will be grouped in one block due to the fact that some people may have purchased their tickets directly from FIFA or other combined packages or ticket levels. You must go to the seat that’s written on your ticket, no exceptions. Security may eject you from the stadium without refund if you refuse to move from a seat that’s assigned to someone else.

All fans must obtain a visa to enter both New Zealand and Australia. Unlike previous World Cups, your tickets do not double as a valid visa for entry into either country. The process for obtaining authority for entry for U.S. citizens is a fairly easy process that just takes a few minutes. 

For New Zealand, download the NZeTA app, where you can complete the application quickly and most people receive approval in just a few minutes. You can also consult New Zealand’s immigration site for more information. If you are a citizen of a country that is not ETA-eligible, you can apply online through ImmiAccount for another visa that suits your needs. Note: there is a small fee for the NZeTA.

For Australia, download the ETA app, where again the application is quick and approval is normally received within a few minutes. The Australian Embassy’s website has more information regarding entry for American citizens into the country. Note: there is a small fee for the ETA.

Travel Registration

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service that allows U.S. citizens traveling or living abroad to receive the latest security updates from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. It also allows the government to know that you’re in the country so that if anything happens requiring diplomatic intervention, they can act on your behalf and also contact any family or friends you list as emergency contacts. We encourage everyone to apply for STEP and list the dates you will be in New Zealand and Australia so that the embassies can be of assistance where needed.

The U.S. Embassy in Sydney can be reached at +61 (02) 8219-2100 from 8:00am-5:00pm Sydney time on business days. After business hours, the number is +61(02) 4422-2201. For any emergencies throughout Australia that require calling police, fire, or ambulance, dial 000 from any phone.

The emergency phone number for the U.S. Embassy in New Zealand is +64 (4) 462-6000. You will leave a detailed message and the Duty Officer will return your call. The U.S. Embassy is located in Wellington, but there is also a Consulate located in Auckland. For any emergencies throughout New Zealand that require calling police, fire, or ambulance, dial 111 from any phone.

Events

The American Outlaws will have night before parties as well as pregame events for every USWNT match during the 2023 Women’s World Cup! Details of these events are still being finalized, but once they are ready to be announced, you can find details on the American Outlaws website.

Getting Around

Auckland

Te Huia operates return train services between Auckland and Hamilton twice a day on weekdays and once on Saturdays. The journey takes just over two-and-a-half hours. From July 1, 2023, fares will cost $18 from Frankton (Hamilton) to The Strand (Auckland) one way with a Bee Card, and $30 with cash. Under 5s travel for free, and family passes are available.

New Zealand’s largest bus network Intercity operates daily services nationwide, and offers passes which enable you to cut costs. There is also the AT network for rail service.

The AirportLink bus runs from Auckland airport to Manukau Bus Station via Puhinui station, where you can connect to the eastern train line to Britomart in the city center for just under $6 from July 1, 2023. The bus operates every 10 minutes between 4:30am and 12:40am, seven days a week. To use this and other buses in the Auckland region, buy an AT Hop card for $10 from July 1 from the vending machine by the Airport Link bus stop or AirGo Convenience in the domestic terminal, or Take Home Convenience in the international terminal.

Super Shuttle offers tickets to the CBD from $20, and taxis and rideshare services are also available.

Hire a car, buy an AT Hop card to use citywide buses, trains and ferries, or use app-based bike and e-scooter share services such as Beam and Lime.

Wellington

Several car rental services are located within Wellington’s airport, and Mevo and Cityhop offer car sharing services. The Airport Express Bus runs between the airport and Wellington Railway Station seven days a week, about every 10-20 minutes for much of the day. Adults pay $5 and children $2.50 with cash or a contactless card, or $3.98 per adult and $1.99 per child with a Snapper card. Taxis and app-based rideshare services are also available from outside the terminal.

The downtown central business district is easy to get around on foot, as it takes roughly 30 minutes to walk from one side to the other. Buy a Snapper card for $10 from one of many retailers around the city to use local buses, ferries and trains - Metlink has an easy-to-use journey planner. Mevo and Cityhop offer car sharing services, and app-based Flamingo and Beam hire out e-scooters and e-bikes.

Sydney

Sydney has an extensive public transport system of buses, trains, metro rail, light rail and ferries. To use the network, you’ll need to either purchase an Opal card or use a contactless credit card, debit card or mobile device.

Use an Opal card or your preferred payment method on public transport services in Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Hunter Valley, Illawarra, and the Southern Highlands. Purchase an Opal card and load it with funds at participating retailers such as newsagents, convenience stores and supermarkets, and at Sydney Airport. There are also top-up machines at some train stations, light rail stops and ferry wharfs. Cost of service depends on how far you go, so tap your card on the reader when you board, and be sure to tap the reader again when you get off the train or bus.

Melbourne

Melbourne has several options to get around the city. Melbourne offers free tram rides within the city center. To use public transport outside of the free tram zone, you need to purchase a myki card. You can purchase a myki card from retail outlets displaying the myki sign, visitor centers and at train stations.

Use your myki card on trains, trams and buses. You’ll need to load your card with some money to cover your fares. You can top it up at convenience stores and train stations as your balance runs low. 

You can also purchase a myki Explorer kit, which includes a myki card loaded with a full day of unlimited travel on trains, trams and buses in metropolitan Melbourne, handy maps and discounts on tickets to major attractions.To start your ride, tap your myki card on the reader when you board your selected mode of transport and be sure to tap off when you disembark.

Trains are a great way to visit attractions across the city and reach the surrounding suburb. Major stations in the city include Central, Flinders and Southern Cross Station. Use the journey planner to find your route.

Trains to regional destinations including Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and Albury operate on the V/Line services. You can use your myki card on all train networks.

You may opt to rent a car to drive around. Please remember that in both New Zealand and Australia, cars drive on the left side of the road. You will need to obtain an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) to be eligible to drive in both countries. An IDP can be obtained at any AAA location and normally cost about $20.

Phone Data

There are several options to use international data in New Zealand/Aotearoa or Australia. If you want to use your phone number, please check with your phone carrier for any international roaming data plans that may be available for you. You may also opt to purchase a SIM card when you land for use while in the country. SIM cards can be purchased at the airport as well as at many convenience stores.

Language

English is the most commonly used language in both New Zealand/Aotearoa and Australia, and it is spoken throughout both countries. Māori is also an official language of New Zealand/Aotearoa. English is the official language of the 2023 Women’s World Cup. 

New Zealand

There aren’t a lot of cultural differences between the United States and New Zealand. Generally speaking, many etiquette rules are similar to the United States. However, there are a few things to point out in an effort to be upstanding guests while visiting Aotearoa. Spitting is considered to be rude, and New Zealanders generally refrain from directly criticizing other people in social settings. It’s also considered inappropriate. Saying hello, please, excuse me, and thank you can go a long way.

It is not expected that you leave a tip when dining at a restaurant in New Zealand. You may leave a small tip as a bonus for exceptional service, but there is no obligation. Also, punctuality is important for them. Please let others know if you are running late, as it is customary for people to wait for everyone to arrive before ordering food or drinks or to be seated at restaurants.

Finally, please do not litter. Place your trash in the proper receptacles after use.

Australia

Like New Zealand, Australia also doesn’t carry many cultural differences from the United States. Spitting is considered to be rude, and Australians also appreciate polite gestures like saying hello, please, excuse me, and thank you. Like New Zealand, you are not expected to tip at restaurants, but you may if you receive excellent service. If there is a line for something, please do not cut the line. Calmly and politely line up and wait your turn.

Punctuality is important. Please let others know if you are running late, as it is customary for people to wait for everyone to arrive before ordering food or drinks or to be seated at restaurants.

Please do not litter. Place your trash in the proper receptacles after use. Let’s keep Australia and New Zealand a clean place.

At the stadium

FIFA has a Stadium Code of Conduct that details what is allowed inside stadiums during the 2023 Women’s World Cup as well as what conduct and items are prohibited. Items like drums, flags on poles, banners and other big items that many normally see in an AO section during games are items that are applied for ahead of time by the organization, and it is not guaranteed that FIFA will approve similar items for use at the World Cup. Fans may bring in items like flags (max size 3x5 feet) and scarves on their own, but they may not be affixed to any railings and must be held by the person at their seat.

Please remember that the American Outlaws has a Code of Conduct and every member that attends a match at the Women’s World Cup is expected to adhere to that Code. We are representing all American soccer fans while abroad, so let’s be terrific ambassadors while we support the USWNT and cheer them on as they compete for another World Cup title.