What is the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 — and when is it happening

• The 2026 edition is scheduled from 1 to 21 March 2026.
• The tournament will be hosted by Football Australia across three Australian cities: Sydney, Perth and Gold Coast. 
• In total there are five stadium venues across the host cities.

The AFC Women’s Asian Cup is the premier women’s international football tournament in Asia, organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). It’s the Asian equivalent of the UEFA Women’s Euros or the Copa América Femenina—only with its own history, rivalries, and unique footballing cultures.

Why the Tournament Matters

• It crowns the champion of Asia — the highest honour in Asian women’s football.
• It acts as a qualification pathway for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, meaning every match carries huge stakes beyond just continental bragging rights.
• It showcases the rise of women’s football across Asia, which has exploded in popularity, investment, and visibility over the past decade.

Who Competes?

The final tournament features 12 national teams from across the Asian continent. These are selected through a regional qualification process and then placed into groups via a live draw.

As hosts, Australia automatically qualify and typically enter as favourites, especially playing at home.

The Format

• Group Stage: 3 groups of 4 teams
• Knockout Stage: Quarter-finals → Semi-finals → Final
• Total Matches: 31 across the three host cities
• Top 2 teams from each group + 2 best third-placed teams advance

Each match can shift World Cup qualification pathways — making even group games tense, high-drama affairs.

Why the 2026 Edition Is Special

• It’s the first Women’s Asian Cup hosted in Australia.
• It comes just a few years after the wildly successful 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, meaning fan interest and football culture in Australia are at an all-time high.
• Sydney hosts the tournament final, bringing the continent’s biggest women’s football event to one of the world’s most iconic sporting cities.

For Visitors & Locals

The 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup isn’t just a tournament — it’s a three-week celebration of sport, culture and community. Cities transform with fan zones, live sites, cultural events, and supporters from all corners of Asia. With Sydney hosting major matches including the final, the city becomes the heart of women’s football in the region.

Tickets & How To Attend

• The first ticket release (multi-match packs) went on sale 18 July 2025 (with a cardholder presale first) and general public sales started 25 July 2025.
• According to recent reporting, single-match tickets will be released later in the year (after multi-match packs).
• Match-day ticket prices start from around AUD 20 for adults (for some matches), making it relatively affordable to attend. 
• For a major fixture — especially those involving the home team (Matildas) — expect high demand, so early booking is recommended.

What’s in Sydney — Venues & Key Matches

Sydney will host a significant chunk of the tournament: both in group stages and knockout rounds.

Here’s how it breaks down:

• Two stadiums in Sydney: the big one — Stadium Australia (in Sydney Olympic Park), plus Western Sydney Stadium (Parramatta / Western Sydney area) for group matches.
• Number of matches: Around 11 matches across the two venues in Sydney.
• Featured match for home fans: The home team — Australia — is scheduled to play at Stadium Australia on Sunday 8 March 2026 vs Korea Republic.
• Knockout stage + Final: The Final of the tournament will be played in Sydney at Stadium Australia on 21 March 2026.

The Draw & Group Information

As of the draw:

• The 12 qualified teams were drawn into 3 groups of 4.

Group A: Australia, Korea Republic, IR Iran, Phillipines

Group B: DPR Korea, China PR, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan

Group C: Japan, Vietnam, India, Chinese Taipei

• The tournament format: top two teams from each group + two best third-placed teams advance to the knockout stage.

So for fans in Sydney — if Australia advance — there’s a good chance you’ll see some of the deeper knockout matches (quarter-finals, semis, final) on home soil.

Sydney: What to Do While You’re Here

Since you’re already in Sydney — this tournament is a perfect excuse to combine your love for travel, sport, and the outdoors (you mentioned you enjoy ocean and ocean-pool swimming). Here’s a quick guide:

• Match day + city vibe: Catch a game at Stadium Australia or Western Sydney Stadium — then explore Sydney’s nightlife, harbour views, or chill on one of the beaches or ocean pools (great prep before/after a match).
• Accommodation tip: If coming from outside Sydney — aim to stay near public transport (bus/metro) to Olympic Park or Western Sydney Stadium. Good transport connectivity helps with match-day crowds.
• Tickets + planning: Consider grabbing a multi-match pack if you plan to see more than one game — cheaper and convenient for multiple visits.
• Be quick: Especially for Matildas games and knockout rounds — given limited seating and expected high demand, don’t wait to book if you’re keen.