The AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ has locked in a major opening-night flex, confirming Audrey Nuna will perform live at the tournament’s Opening Ceremony at Perth Stadium on 1 March, ahead of the blockbuster opener between the Matildas and the Philippines women’s national football team.
Known to millions as the singing voice of Mira in the global hit KPop Demon Hunters, Nuna’s appearance is being positioned as a premium fan incentive – a non-broadcast, in-stadium exclusive designed to turn opening night into a once-only cultural moment for ticket holders.
Nuna will take to the stage before kick-off and again at half-time, transforming the Opening Ceremony into a hybrid spectacle of football, music and fandom.
Crucially, the half-time set will be visible only inside Perth Stadium – a scarcity play that adds genuine FOMO to the first whistle of the tournament.
“I’m thrilled to be performing at the Opening Ceremony of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™,” Nuna said.
“Being a part of this celebration of female grit and excellence, alongside fans of music, culture, and football, is a true honour, especially for my first time performing in Perth. It’s going to be a very special and singular start to the tournament, an experience I’m excited to share with the people of Perth and beyond.”
A select group of ticket holders will also have the chance to meet Nuna in person, further sharpening the live-only appeal.
Audrey Nuna.
Sport meets pop culture
The booking lands at a moment when KPop Demon Hunters has become a full-blown cultural export.
The film has scored Oscar nominations for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for its anthem “Golden”, followed by Golden Globe wins in both categories and five Grammy Award nominations, including Song of the Year.
The Netflix title is now the platform’s most-streamed movie of all time, while the soundtrack spent nine weeks at No. 1 on the ARIA Albums Chart in 2025 – proof of the franchise’s reach across screens, speakers and now stadiums.
For the tournament, that reach matters.
“Securing [Audrey] Nuna for our Opening Ceremony is a major moment for this tournament and a clear reflection of the global scale and ambition of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™,” said Sarah Walsh, Chief Operating Officer of the event.
“From the football to the fan experience, we are deliberately raising the standard across every element of this event, and bringing a global star of Audrey’s calibre to opening night matches the quality, competitiveness and world-class talent that will be on display on the pitch.”
Walsh added that with tickets moving quickly, fans were urged to secure seats early to avoid missing what she described as “an incredible experience”.
A big night for Perth
The Opening Ceremony will kick off what organisers are calling the biggest AFC Women’s Asian Cup in history, with Asia’s top 12 women’s football nations competing across Perth, Sydney and the Gold Coast from 1–21 March 2026.
On the pitch, Australia’s opening clash against a Philippines side fresh off a historic 2025 Southeast Asian Games win promises high stakes from the outset – a sporting narrative now amplified by a cultural one.
Western Australia’s Tourism Minister Reece Whitby said securing Nuna was a significant coup for Perth, adding that the Opening Ceremony would be remembered by local and international fans alike and contribute to the state’s broader events and tourism strategy.