Giant Inflatable Soccerball Promotes AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Parramatta River

Background

Destination NSW is the lead government agency for the New South Wales tourism and major events sector.

The organisation works to attract more visitors and run top sporting and cultural events across the state. They needed a striking visual display to promote the upcoming 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, a major international soccerball tournament.

The agency held a big public launch event in Parramatta to build excitement for the matches at Western Sydney Stadium. Destination NSW asked Giant Inflatables to design and build a large inflatable football that could withstand being on the water. The soccerball floated like a billboard, catching the eyes of thousands of commuters and visitors each day. This approach was a cost-effective way to reach lots of people in a busy city area. The inflatable also became a key spot for media and public engagement during the promotion.

Design and Fabrication

Giant Inflatables built a 4-metre sealed-air inflatable football designed to float on water. The team used strong, UV-resistant PVC-coated nylon and vinyl to ensure it stayed in good condition outdoors.

The design team used exact PMS colour-matching to ensure the branding matched the official tournament guidelines. They also used detailed digital printing to show the different nations taking part in the tournament.

The floating inflatable football included an aquatic ballast system and several strong underwater anchor points. This kept it steady in the Parramatta River, even with tides and wind.

Because of its sealed-air design, the football did not need a blower running continuously, making it perfect for the river. To keep the brand visible at night, floodlights and spotlights on the riverbank lit up the floating football. The lights made the graphics stand out and created a striking glow on the water. The inflatable offered 360-degree branding, easily visible from both riverbanks and nearby bridges.

Result

The inflatable soccerball drew a lot of media attention and public interest for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. It will stay in place on the river from 21 February to 11 March, matching the main match dates.