Football fans can meet Sam Kerr and the Matildas at a free community festival next week!

WA’s new $46 million State Football Centre gets its official opening next Friday 27 October with a free community festival featuring a guest appearance from the mighty Matildas.

The festival coincides with the Matildas’ time in Perth, when they play three Olympic qualifiers ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The festival is free (though you need to register) and kicks off at 3pm, where select members of the Matildas will appear (including homegrown hero Sam Kerr), to officially launch the newly-constructed Queens Park homebase of football in WA.

The event will feature a carnival-like atmosphere, family-friendly activities, food trucks, live entertainment, a Perth Glory women’s training sessions and more from 3-7.30pm.

“The official grand opening of our State Football Centre to the community is a perfect opportunity to focus on community football, with Perth-born mega star Sam Kerr and some of her teammates joining in the family fun and sharing their passion for the world game,” said WA Premier Roger Cook.

“Our festival of football will have a vibrant family-friendly atmosphere and aims to build on the success of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and upcoming Olympic qualifiers in growing participation in the sport across playing, coaching and officiating.”

Fans who secure tickets to the festival can arrive for free by public transport.

Free tickets are available for members of the WA football community today (October 16), before tickets open to everyone else on Wednesday 18 October – head to venueswest.wa.gov.au for more information.