England Women will face China in April in their last home match before this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The game will be played at Manchester City’s new Academy Stadium on Thursday 9 April (7.30pm KO). It will be the first international match played at the stadium.
Tickets are on sale now, priced £5 for adults and £2.50 for children. A family ticket (two adults and two children) is £10 and group booking discounts apply.
England v China
A Women's International
7.30pm, Thursday 9 April
Academy Stadium, Manchester
Tickets priced £5 adults, £2.50 children
Buy via www.MCFC.co.uk/Tickets
The match will be a final send-off for the Lionesses before they travel to Canada for the World Cup. England will face France (9 June) and Mexico (13 June) in Moncton, then Colombia (17 June) in Montreal in Group F.
England last played China in 2007 in the China Cup, losing 2-0 in Guandong.
England head coach Mark Sampson said: “The confirmation of the China match is a big positive for us. Not only will we face a strong opponent, but one from a continent with which we have limited experience against.
“The match will be a real challenge for the team. It also means after the China match we will have played nine of the top 13 FIFA-ranked nations over the last 18 months, which gives the team a true sense of the quality of opponent they will face at the World Cup.
“The match is also last opportunity for the team to play in front of our supporters before the World Cup. We will be determined to put on a big performance and enjoy a positive send-off.
“We’re particularly looking forward to playing at the new Academy Stadium. It’s fantastic to see a club build a facility for women’s football and we’re pleased to support that by bringing a senior Women’s international there.”
England and Manchester City captain Steph Houghton said: “We’re really excited to be playing our final fixture before the World Cup in the north west.
England captain Steph Houghton
“We know how much it helps to build support for the team when we travel round the country for matches and it’s great that fans in the local area will have the opportunity to come and see the England Women in action.
“I know first-hand what a fantastic stadium and facility it is so I have no doubt it will be a great night and I’m sure our supporters will be out in force ahead of the World Cup.”
Danny Wilson, Manchester City’s director of stadium sales and operations, said: “As a club that is passionate about developing women’s football we’re delighted to be hosting the England v China women’s match.
“The huge growth in popularity for the women’s game is a testament to the players and the fans who make it so special.
“It’s fitting our new 7,000 capacity Academy Stadium, which also serves as the home for our very own Manchester City Women’s Football Club will play host to what’s set to be a great game. We look forward to welcoming fans from across the country and the local community to City Football Academy this April.”
Tickets are available via www.MCFC.co.uk/Tickets or in person at the Manchester City box office at Etihad Stadium.
England travelled to Larnaca on Thursday to compete in the annual Cyprus Cup. They face three group matches - against Finland (on 4 March), Australia (6 March) and Netherlands (9 March).
