While the Matildas nearly packed Sydney’s Accor Stadium for a friendly against China on Monday night, NRL fans seized on a tell-tale sign their code is losing in the battle for fans.
Nearly 77,000 fans packed into the stadium as the Matildas defied the absence of star players Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord to record an encouraging 2-0 victory ahead of the Paris Games.
However, it’s a different story for the opening State of Origin match at the same venue on Wednesday night, with revelations: Ticketek is now giving away tickets to the match in a desperate bid to fill the Accor Stadium.
A code to unlock two-for-one tickets has been released on Australian deals, voucher codes and giveaways platform Ozbargain.
Daily Mail Australia has confirmed that this code works on the Ticketek platform and allows newcomers to access half price tickets in all categories.
Tickets are still available for the opening State of Origin match at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on Wednesday night.
By applying a code, football fans can now access two-for-one tickets to the first Origin match, in a sign the match is struggling to sell out.
The Matildas had no problem attracting fans to the stadium for their friendly against China on Monday night (pictured)
Many football fans have taken to social media to blame costs as the reason for slow Origin ticket sales.
While Matildas fans could get tickets for as little as $20 for the match against China, along with premium private suite tickets for $250, Origin fans are asked to shell out a minimum of $74 for the cheap seats or $64 with a concession card.
If you want the best view, diamond tickets cost $324 each, while those who want to sit in the tryout zone to cheer on their Origin heroes must pay $230 per ticket.
“Whoever sets the prices for men’s games needs a good talk,” one fan posted on Reddit.
“Ticketek doesn’t understand Origin,” added another.
Other soccer fans noted that they can get a premium experience at home without the high price tag.
‘Hmm, $320 for a ticket, or watch it for free at home on my big 75’ screen while you’re dry and warm. difficult decision,” one posted.
“I was going to buy it, but I don’t have $800 left over to take the whole family to see it at home,” added another.
“In a cost of living crisis, many people find it difficult to pay the high prices charged to go to the game… most people are stretched thin these days,” said another.
Nearly 80,000 football fans packed into the Accor Stadium to see their Matildas heroes for the last time before the Paris Olympics.
The Matildas have been drawing crowds since their spectacular run at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.
While those reasons remain isolated, the same high prices didn’t stop Queenslanders from selling out game three at Suncorp Stadium in a matter of days.
‘It’s pretty simple. New South Wales just doesn’t understand Origin. They just don’t get it,” one Queensland fan reminded Blues fans.
Others said New South Wales’ poor State of Origin results over the past 15 years had also affected sales.
‘I’m not going to pay hundreds of dollars to sit in the rain and watch the Blues get excited. Again,” raged one fan.
Ozbargain also provided a code for Origin II in Melbourne, where the party is struggling to fill the 100,000-seat MCG.
Some fans think Queensland’s continued success at Origin Stadium has partly to do with declining ticket sales.
Suncorp Stadium is always packed with Queensland fans and tickets for this year’s match sold out in a matter of days.
Accor Stadium has a capacity of 83,500, while Suncorp Stadium only has a capacity of 52,500.
Some fans have pointed to those capacity differences as the reason behind late ticket sales.
‘Sydney Stadium is approximately 60% larger than Suncorp. “And this comes down to two days before the game, so it’s just a matter of getting rid of the last few seats,” one posted.
However, another fan pointed out that the Connected website is also giving away tickets to Origin I at Accor Stadium.
People living locally in the Homebush area can pay $80 subscriptions to the Connected platform and receive free tickets to events like Origin along with music and other events throughout the year.
‘It’s worth it. I got free tickets to the Pandemonium rock concert (this alone was $175 or something), State of Origin, the biggest tennis championship, football and NRL, basketball matches. All for an annual fee of $80,” posted one local.