Football Federation Australia (FFA) and the NSW Government have today announced a long term agreement that will see the Caltex Socceroos and Westfield Matildas play 11 matches in NSW over the next five years.

The agreement offers certainty for both National Teams with the Caltex Socceroos to play five matches in NSW over the next five years while the Westfield Matildas will play six games from 2016-2020.

The agreement will see the Socceroos play World Cup Qualifying matches in Sydney in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2020. In 2018 they will play an International Friendly. The first of these matches will be played at Allianz Stadium on 29 March against Jordan.

“The Caltex Socceroos and the Westfield Matildas are the national teams that truly represent Australia in all its diversity and they have a fantastic supporter base in NSW,” said FFA CEO David Gallop. “These teams are premium brands in the sports landscape and their matches are always popular.

"We are delighted to sign a long term five year deal with the NSW Government that will ensure certainty for these premium matches. The Socceroos qualified for the last World Cup and the won the AFC Asian Cup in Sydney. We look forward to making more history over the next five years.

“This agreement also allows us the opportunity to showcase the Westfield Matildas on home soil. The Matildas have proven to be tremendous role models for young women at the World Cup and the recent Qualifiers in Japan.”

NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events and Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres said the new long-term partnership with FFA ensures NSW receives an annual supply of quality international football.

“The Socceroos and Matildas are our two premier football teams, representing Australia in men’s and women’s football. I am delighted that we have come to an agreement with the FFA through our tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, to secure at least 11 games featuring these teams for NSW between 2016-2020,” Mr Ayres said.

“These international matches will attract thousands of visitors to the State, with a total estimated visitor impact of more than $20 million. This is great news for local hotels, restaurants and businesses, as well as local football fans.”

The agreement also signals the start of planning for matches over the next two years as Ange Postecoglou’s squad continues on its journey to make an impact at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The Caltex Socceroos face two tough World Cup Qualifiers against Tajikistan and Jordan later this month and if they progress to the next stage of qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup will commence matches in September 2016.

The current FIFA international schedule will see the Caltex Socceroos play up to 11 more matches in 2016, nine matches plus the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia in 2017 and up to three friendlies leading into the 2018 FIFA World Cup in June 2018.

“The NSW Government has thrown its support behind these premium World Cup Qualifiers and we are in discussions with the other State Governments around the country who are equally keen to lock down certainty in securing the high profile matches that are approaching in the next few years,” Gallop said.

Early planning for Socceroos and Matildas matches allows the teams to prepare well for the crucial matches but also gives each State Government the opportunity to achieve targets in relation to tourism and revenue.”