THE Matildas will return to the two stadiums where they made a huge splash in 2017 with fixtures against Chile announced today for Panthers Stadium and McDonald Jones Stadium.

The Australian women’s soccer team sold out the Penrith venue when they played Brazil there last year and had nearly 20,000 in Newcastle.

Interest in the team has grown since they won last year’s Tournament of Nations, defeating the number one-ranked US team in doing so, and only just missed going back-to-back this year.

The international series against Chile will mark the start of their preparations for next year’s World Cup in France.

The announcement of the series follows confirmation at the weekend that they will travel to France in early October to play them on October 5 in Saint-Etienne.

“Last year’s matches against Brazil at these two venues were truly memorable events with a sell-out crowd in Penrith and a new crowd record in Newcastle,” Football Federation Australia CEO David Gallop said.

“The past 18 months have seen the Westfield Matildas go from strength to strength, they have captured the imagination of all Australians and have inspired a new generation of footballers.

“With the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup coming up in nine months, and our own bid to host the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup ramping up, matches like this are important on and off the field.”

Chile will also compete in the 2019 World Cup and are a growing nation in women’s football.

Coach Alen Stajcic hoped it would provide a good starting point for their quest for success in France next year.

“Chile are an emerging nation in international women’s football and have qualified for next year’s FIFA Women’s World cup for the first time in their history,” said Stajcic.

"They (Chile) had a fantastic Copa America this year and have showed a great level of technical proficiency, as we would expect from a proud South American footballing nation.

“For us to prepare for the FIFA Women’s World Cup we need to play against a diverse range of opposition and Chile will be great challenge for us.

“The atmosphere at our matches in Penrith and Newcastle last year was amazing and I know that the players are looking forward to running out in front of large, vocal home crowds.”

Both matches will be broadcast live on Fox Sports (Channel 505) and SBS TV (check local guides for details) as well as on the My Football Live app.

Matildas v Chile: Panthers Stadium, Penrith
Saturday 10 November 2018

Kick Off: 3:00pm (AEST)

Matildas v Chile: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Tuesday 13 November 2018

Kick-Off: 7:30pm (AEST)