AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Launches Multicultural Community Champions Program

The Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ has officially launched its Community Champions program, engaging over 200 community leaders to drive support for the upcoming tournament.

Managed by multicultural marketing agency CulturalPulse, the initiative is designed to deepen engagement with diaspora communities representing the participating nations.

The program’s primary objective is to increase awareness and drive match attendance by leveraging the influence of community leaders.

These champions will act as conduits to their respective networks. This grassroots strategy aims to ensure visiting teams from the 11 other competing nations feel supported when the tournament commences.

The Community Champions program, scheduled to run from 1 March to 21 March 2026, will feature 12 nations: Australia, Korea Republic, IR Iran, Philippines, DPR Korea, China PR, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Japan, Vietnam, India, and Chinese Taipei.

Matches will be played across three host cities: Perth, Gold Coast, and Sydney. The tournament will open with a match between the Matildas and the Philippines at Perth Stadium and conclude with the Final at Stadium Australia in Sydney.

Induction events were held in Sydney, Perth, the Gold Coast, and Brisbane to formally welcome the Community Champions. These events were attended by government officials and football personalities, highlighting the strategic importance of the program in delivering a successful event.

In Sydney, Sarah Walsh, Chief Operating Officer of the LOC, addressed the inductees regarding the program’s significance. The event also featured members of the ‘First Matildas’ squad from the 1975 Asian Cup and current Philippines international Janae DeFazio.

Similar launches occurred interstate, with Western Australian Minister for Tourism, the Hon. Reece Whitby MLA, attending the Perth event alongside First Matildas captain Pat O’Connor. On the Gold Coast, former Young Matilda Hollie Palmer was a key guest.

The LOC is targeting record-breaking attendance figures for the 2026 edition. To support this goal, pricing has been set accessibly, with tickets starting at $20 for adults and $10 for children.

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