The Matildas in training at Polytec Stadium on Tuesday. Photos: Rachel Bach/ Football Australia.
Skaie Hull, Coast Community News
The Central Coast will take centre stage this Friday, November 28, as the CommBank Matildas return to Gosford for a blockbuster international double-header at Polytec Stadium.
The event is expected to deliver a major boost to tourism, local business and the region’s growing reputation as a sporting powerhouse.
The highly anticipated fixture will see the CommBank Matildas take on New Zealand’s Football Ferns at 7.30pm, following a curtain-raiser between the CommBank Junior Matildas and Thailand’s Under-16 Women’s National Team at 4pm.
All public tickets have already been snapped up, with Tillys fever sweeping the Coast as fans prepare to pack the stadium and surrounding venues.
Matildas star Caitlyn Ford said she was looking forward to returning to Polytec Stadium, praising the warm Central Coast weather, the local facilities and the stadium’s unique coastal setting.
“It was nice to get the win coming into these two games,” she said.
“The game before this was absolutely freezing, so I was really looking forward to getting to the Central Coast for some warm weather.
“I didn’t expect it to be this hot, but I’m not complaining – I’ll take it.
“We’re acclimatised to the colder weather at the moment, but Friday’s game is a bit later so it won’t be as hot, and I think we’ll be okay.
“I honestly think (this is) one of the nicest stadiums in the country, with the palm trees and the water in the background.
“It’s pretty special, and we can’t wait.”
Minister for the Central Coast David Harris said the Matildas’ visit reinforces what locals have always known.
“This Friday’s match confirms that the Central Coast is the football capital of NSW,” he said.
“We are home to the reigning A-League Women’s champion Central Coast Mariners, so it’s only fitting that the Matildas – Aussie sport’s premium women’s team – will be hosting the Kiwis in a sold-out Polytec Stadium this Friday.”
Harris said securing the fixture was a major effort.
“I, along with Central Coast Mayor and former Mariners Men’s coach Lawrie McKinna, worked hard behind the scenes to secure this fixture and we are very grateful to the FFA, Destination NSW, and Polytec Stadium for making it happen,” he said.
Mayor Lawrie McKinna said the match is a milestone moment for the region.
“Welcoming two international teams to compete here on the Central Coast is a great moment for our region,” he said.
“It’s not just a win for sports fans; it’s a fantastic opportunity for local businesses.”
With demand overflowing beyond the stadium, McKinna urged local venues to get involved.
“With general admission tickets at Polytec Stadium selling out, we know many in the community will be looking for ways to enjoy the game,” he said.
“That’s why Council is encouraging local venues to be part of the action by offering fans a place to gather and cheer on the Matildas.”
The event is also expected to deliver a major economic uplift.
Polytec Stadium Venue Manager Kath Casey said the event could be worth more than $3M in economic revenue to the region, based on previous data.
“When we bring quality events to the Central Coast, everyone in our community benefits,” she said.
“It drives visitation to the region, which is great for local businesses while also creating local jobs.”
Football Australia Interim CEO Heather Garriock said ASEAN-Australia Women’s Football Week was “a celebration of the power of football to unite, inspire and elevate women across our region.”
With Tillys fever now in full force, Friday’s double-header is shaping up as one of the most significant sporting nights the Central Coast has seen.
This article appeared in Coast Community News, 27 November 2025.
