While New Zealand's Football World Cup hosting duties are about to come to an end, the tournament is already being heralded as the best so far.
The country's hosted three major women's sporting events since the start of 2022 - with many maintaining we've saved the biggest and the best for last.
From the get-go, New Zealand was on a mission to celebrate women's football and three years of planning have culminated in what FIFAs officials are calling the most successful women's World Cup ever.
"By far and away," New Zealander and FIFA chief women's football officer Sarai Bareman told Newshub.
"France four years ago, we've already eclipsed the attendance numbers there.
"I think we've converted a lot of people here [to football]."
But even top officials admit there were some nervous times in the lead-up to the tournament, copping criticism over the southern hemisphere time zone.
"I think it's great that the rest of the world have to experience waking up super early to watch their national team play, because we've been doing it for decades," Bareman added.
Slow early ticket sales prompted a plea from FIFA's boss Gianni Infantino, Before the unthinkable happened - a shooting in downtown Auckland threatened to overshadow the entire event.
"Terrible for the city and for all those involved," says Auckland Unlimited's Richard Clarke.
"But in terms of how the city dealt with it, we had a structure set up to deal with risks and emergency management, which kicked in straight away."
Finances were another major hurdle. The Women's World Cup got just 18 percent of the sponsorship revenue the men's tournament received.
"There were some big territories who weren't coming to the party with what we felt this tournament was worth and what we feel women's football is worth," Bareman explained.
"I'm proud that FIFA took a stand and said 'no, if you won't come with what this tournament is worth, we won't sell'."
But that didn't stop fans or the growth of the economy, with the tournament projected to bring in north of $200 million dollars.
"That Football Ferns game was a landmark event in NZ sport and has changed the landscape, so I think we've laid the platform for the growth of women's sport," said FIFA Women's World Cup chief executive David Beeche.
Sport minister Grant Robertson is eager for New Zealand to capitalise on that momentum.
"We're always on the look out for more events we can host," Robertson said. "Obviously we've had a number in recent years but they bring good economic opportunities, as well as giving New Zealanders the opportunity to see these fantastic athletes."
