The countdown is on.
Today marks 100 days until the Fifa Women’s World Cup gets under way in Australia and New Zealand on July 20.
Dunedin — the only city in the South Island holding games — is gearing up to host its largest sporting event since the Rugby World Cup in 2011, with six games being played at Forsyth Barr Stadium; Philippines v Switzerland (July 21), Netherlands v Portugal (July 23), Japan v Costa Rica (July 26), Argentina v South Africa (July 28), Switzerland v New Zealand (July 30) and Vietnam v Netherlands (August 1).
Costa Rican, Netherlands and Japanese delegates have visited the South recently, scoping out the stadium, hotels and training facilities, and Switzerland has chosen Dunedin as its base for the tournament.
The Swiss will stay at the Distinction Hotel and use Tahuna Park, which is getting a spruce-up, as their main training ground.
Football South chief executive Dougal McGowan said it was amazing to think the world cup was so close.
"Who would ever have thought that New Zealand would be co-hosting the largest women’s sporting event in the world and that little old Dunedin would be hosting six games," McGowan said.
Dunedin’s allocation of games was recognition for the city’s growth and strong governance partnerships, while, at a grassroots level, it gave everyday footballers, and fans, an opportunity to experience the world game on a local stage, he said.
"Of course, the highlight though will be watching our very own Ferns here at the stadium which could be the group decider."
The world cup was already bringing in economic benefits to the city, with jobs being created, visits from delegates, and the major effect in the form of the upgrades to sporting and community facilities.
He expected the public to notice a world cup push in the next 100 days.
Dunedin will be holding a "unique" celebration today to mark the countdown, and in Auckland and Sydney, there will be a Unity Beat unveiling — a chant that will be a sound and symbol throughout the event.
"There will be more activation throughout the city and regions to engage the public and get them passionate about what they are about to be part of.
"Most people don’t realise how big this really is but an estimated 1.2 billion people will watch the tournament, which make it four times larger than the men’s Rugby World Cup we last hosted," McGowan said.
"It will be great to see the people of the lower South Island start to get enthused and impassioned by what’s coming ahead.
"Tickets go back on sale this week and at $10 [for] a child, hopefully it’s something that everyone can feel they can take part in.
"There are still vacancies for volunteers and it’s our time to show the world how great our little city really is on the world stage."
Tickets go on sale again at 2pm today.
