Australia and New Zealand will co-host this year's FIFA Women's World Cup ©Getty Images

FIFA Fan Festivals will be held at the Women's World Cup for the first time at this year's tournament in Australia and New Zealand.

All nine host cities across the two countries will stage a festival, which will be free to enter.

As well as being able to watch the football, the festivals will include music, entertainment, culture, food and games, it has been promised.

"Whether you are an avid fan or a football newcomer, the FIFA Fan Festival provides an exciting entertainment space that brings people together beyond football," said FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura.

"Our mission is to make football truly global, accessible and inclusive, and these exciting events provide an opportunity to experience football in new ways in a fun festival environment." 

FIFA Fan Festivals have been a regular fixture at the men's World Cup ©Getty Images
FIFA Fan Festivals have been a regular fixture at the men's World Cup ©Getty Images

Five host cities at the World Cup will be in Australia - Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. 

New Zealand will host matches in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Dunedin.

Fan festivals - previously called the FIFA Fan Fest - have featured at five editions of the men's World Cup, stretching back to Germany 2006.

This year's Women's World Cup is due to run between July 20 and August 20.