The AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 kicked off on Sunday with an unforgettable Opening Ceremony at the stunning Perth Stadium, where a staggering 44,379-strong crowd, the highest ever attendance in the competition’s history, gathered to witness the start of the Continent’s premier women’s national team competition.

The attendance at Perth Stadium on Sunday night spectacularly eclipsed the previous record of 18,000, which was recorded at the 2014 edition of the competition in Vietnam, underscoring the palpable excitement and anticipation surrounding the latest iteration of Asia’s flagship women’s competition.

Before the highly anticipated curtain-raiser between hosts Australia and the Philippines, the stadium showcased an evening steeped in world-class musical performances, befitting the grandeur of the Continental showpiece.

Headlining the programme was global star Audrey Nuna, of KPop Demon Hunters fame, who captivated the audience with an electrifying three-song set before returning to the stage to further ignite the atmosphere with an exclusive in-stadium half-time show.

Another historic moment of the ceremony was the live debut of the Official Tournament Anthem, ‘That’s How We Win’, performed by rising R&B artist ZIPPORAH. Created by Music Director Joel Farland in collaboration with award-winning songwriter Nat Dunn, who recorded the track, the anthem aptly captured the ambition and unity that define Australia 2026.

Built around the unifying creative concept of a heartbeat, the ceremony transformed the stadium into a dynamic celebration of football, culture, and togetherness, with a rhythmic pulse resonating through music, stunning lighting design, and pyrotechnics, performed by a cast of 260 talented artists.

As the performance unfolded, individual heartbeats came to represent the dreams and aspirations of all 12 participating nations, ultimately merging into a single, powerful rhythm.

Additionally, ahead of the musical journey, Nyoongar Elder Aunty Vivienne Hansen delivered the Welcome to Country, honouring the traditional custodians of the land, while songwomen Rickeeta Walley and Leonie Kearing-Wilkes performed ‘Djuninybo’, a call to the mountains, ranges and sky to unite all nations, accompanied by dancers from a local Noongar group.

The performance also paid tribute to the Black Cockatoo, the Willy Wagtail and the Wedge-tailed Eagle, each of profound cultural significance, while a traditional message stick crafted from Jarrah wood conveyed a personal message of welcome.