With the opponents, dates and venues finally set, the countdown is officially on to the start of the 2020/21 W-League season.
After months of player recruitment and tough training sessions, Western Sydney’s quest for back to back Finals appearances will begin in just over two weeks’ time.
The Wanderers have four Sunday, three Saturday and three Thursday night fixtures this season, with home matches played across Bankwest Stadium, Marconi Stadium and the Wanderers Centre of Football.
The Red & Black will open the season with an historic double header, with the W-League side taking on Melbourne Victory in a blockbuster clash in Parramatta on December 27.
The Wander Women will then travel to Melbourne City on January 2 for a match against last season’s champions.
The first Sydney Derby will be held in Round 4 as part of an away double header at ANZ Stadium on January 16.
Returning home the following round, another double header will follow with the Wanderers facing Newcastle at Bankwest Stadium in the afternoon of January 24.
The Wanderers will then travel to Lions Stadium for a Sunday afternoon fixture against the Roar before two back-to-back Thursday night games against Canberra United and Melbourne City at Marconi Stadium.
On the road, Western Sydney will face Adelaide United for the first time in Round 9 at Marden Sports Complex and will be back at home the following week for the Sydney Derby at Marconi Stadium on February 28.
An away match, bye, away match pattern will follow with the Wander Women taking on Newcastle and Canberra at their home grounds before wrapping up the regular season on March 27 at the club’s Centre of Football against Perth Glory.
“This year’s Westfield W-League is packed full of young, Australian talent as the players battle for places in the Westfield Matildas squad ahead of the rescheduled Olympic Games to be held in Tokyo and the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup,” Head of Leagues, Greg O’Rourke said.
“The world is watching women’s football in Australia, and we know how much fans want to be a part of the action too. Every game will be available online, and on Thursday and Sundays Westfield W-League fans can watch the games live on FOX Sports and ABC TV.”
For the full schedule, visit http://www.w-league.com.au.
Nathan Taylor
Nathan Taylor is the Weekender's Deputy Editor and Senior Sports Writer. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked at the Weekender for a decade.