FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ introduces Quiet Rooms in three host cities

Spectators at Eden Park in Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau, Stadium Australia in Sydney/Wangal and Brisbane Stadium in Brisbane/Meaanjin will have game-day access to Quiet Rooms, specifically designed for those with sensory processing difficulties.

The Quiet Rooms are designed to create a comfortable and calming environment to help individuals regulate their sensory input and reduce sensory overload. They will feature a range of sensory equipment and resources, such as weighted blankets, noise-cancelling headphones, and calming lighting.

This initiative is another first for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™, and a first for any stadium in Aotearoa New Zealand, supporting the tournament’s goal to be more inclusive and accessible for everyone.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – OCTOBER 22: Sarai Bareman FIFA Chief Womens Football Officer arrives at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Final Tournament Draw at Aotea Centre on October 22, 2022 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Allison – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
FIFA Chief Women’s Football Officer, Sarai Bareman, said: “Everyone deserves to enjoy the FIFA Women’s World Cup, regardless of their sensory needs. That’s why we’re excited about the offering of dedicated Quiet Rooms at Stadium Australia, Brisbane Stadium, and Eden Park, supporting fans who require the space, and their families, at what will be an inclusive and uniting tournament.”

Eden Park Chief Executive Officer, Nick Sautner, commented: “We are thrilled that our new Quiet Room will be installed at Eden Park in time for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. Having dedicated spaces and solutions, such as a Quiet Room that can help a person who finds crowds, noise and smell overwhelming, will enrich the Eden Park experience for everyone, and enable a group of people who may not have had the chance to attend live sport and entertainment events before.”

Queensland Minister for Sport Stirling Hinchliffe said of the Brisbane Stadium upgrades: “This unmissable event will be the biggest FIFA Women’s World Cup in history, and these upgrades will ensure that fans of all abilities can see the game’s greatest female players in action, live.”

Former professional footballer Kaine Sheppard, who organises Quiet Rooms through his foundation, will coordinate Stadium Australia’s Quiet Room in collaboration with FIFA: “I am so proud to have worked with FIFA on the quiet rooms for the Women’s World Cup. It’s an awesome goal achieved to be able to provide this space for families to use during the biggest women’s sporting event in the world.”

To access the Quiet Rooms, fans can find a member of the Volunteer Team in each stadium who can show them to the rooms. No special tickets or payments are required.

In addition to the Quiet Rooms, sensory bags will be available at all ten (10) stadiums hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. The bags will include noise-cancelling headphones, fidget devices and emotive cards to support with communication about feelings. These bags will be available during the game, then returned so they can be sanitised and reused at the next match.

FIFA is providing training is offered to staff and volunteers on how to offer the best experience possible to people with sensory needs.

Services for people with sensory needs is one aspect of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Accessibility Plan. For more information on other accessible features and services such as audio-descriptive commentary, please visit FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Accessibility Information.

Tickets for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ are on sale now from $20 per adult and $10 per child from FIFA.com/tickets.