NZ 2011 stadium guide
There will be 13 different stadiums which will host matches in the World Cup, we take a look at each of them and where they are situated in our guide to the venues for the global showpiece in New Zealand.
This guide provides the basic information about each stadium to hopefully give you a sense of what to expect when watching the World Cup, and we have also included some information on each city which you may not have known before.
Some stadium names have been changed from their recognised titles due to World Cup requirements that sponsor names be removed during the tournament, so that is why some of the venue names may seem somewhat unfamiliar.
New Zealand’s second largest city, Christchurch, was allocated seven matches which were moved to other centres after Stadium Christchurch was severely damaged in the devastating February 22 earthquake.
Auckland is the largest and most populous urban area in the country and is home to 31 percent of the population. It is popularly known as the “City of Sails” because the harbour is often dotted with hundreds of yachts and has more per capita than any other city in the world, with around 135 000 yachts and launches. Around 60 500 of the country’s 149 900 registered yachtsmen come from the Auckland Region and about one in three Auckland households owns a boat.
Eden Park – Capacity: 60 000 – New Zealand’s premier rugby venue which will host the World Cup opening ceremony and 10 matches including both semifinals and the Final.
The stadium is situated five kilometres from Auckland’s popular waterfront entertainment area and has undergone a NZ $240 million (US$201 million) refurbishment.
It has a reputation as a fortress for the All Blacks who have not lost there since 1994. It is home to the Auckland Blues and hosted the opening match of the inaugural World Cup in 1987. Auckland will host Australia, England, Fiji, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Samoa, Scotland and Tonga.
North Harbour Stadium – Capacity: 30 000 – North Harbour Stadium on Auckland’s North Shore district is a multi-purpose stadium designed for rugby but which has also hosted a wide range of events including soccer and Rugby League internationals as well as concerts. The stadium is set within a 24-hectare park and is the base for the North Harbour provincial side which is in the Blues catchment area and was formed in 1985 by clubs which broke away from Auckland. Auckland’s North Shore will host France, South Africa, Japan, Namibia and Samoa.
Whangerai is the northernmost city in New Zealand and the regional capital of Northland Region. The population was estimated to be 51 900 at the June 2010 estimate.
Northland Events Centre –Capacity: 20 000 – The stadium, home to the Northland provincial side, is a two-hour drive north of Auckland. It regularly hosted visiting international sides in the amateur era. In 1956, when the Springboks scraped home 3-0 against North Auckland, heavy rain reduced the ground to a quagmire and buckets of water had to be supplied so players could wash the mud from their eyes during the match. Whangarei will host Canada, Japan and Tonga.
Hamilton is home to approximately 40 000 tertiary students and 1 000 PhD scientists. Hamilton’s main revenue source is the dairy industry, due to its location in the centre of New Zealand’s largest dairying area – the Waikato region.
Waikato Stadium – Capacity: 30 000 – The home of the Waikato Chiefs, Waikato Stadium has been a regular Test venue since it opened nine years ago. Previously, as Rugby Park, Waikato beat the Springboks 14-10 there in 1956 to record the first win by a New Zealand provincial side over South Africa. Hamilton will host Fiji, Japan, New Zealand, Samoa and Wales.
Rotorua is in the heart of the North Island and is known for its geothermal activity, and features geysers and hot mud pool. The area is recognised as being as the heartland of indigenous Maori culture in the country. Rotorua has the nickname ‘Sulphur City’, because of the hydrogen sulphide emissions, which gives the city a ‘rotten eggs’ smell, another name it is known by is ‘Rotten-Rua’ combining its legitimate name and the rotten smell the city gives.
Roturua International Stadium – Capacity: 26 000 – The stadium hosted the 1987 World Cup play-off for third place when Wales beat Australia 22-21, and is a base for the Bay of Plenty rugby side which is a feeder to the Waikato Chiefs. Rotorua will host Fiji, Ireland, Namibia, Russia and Samoa.
New Plymouth is noted for being a coastal city with a mountain within 30 minutes drive, where residents and visitors to New Plymouth can snowboard, ski, water ski and surf all in the same day. New Plymouth District has a reputation as an events centre, with major festivals, sports fixtures (including international rugby, cricket and tennis matches, and the annual ITU World Cup Triathlon) and concerts
Stadium Taranaki – Capacity: 26 000 – The stadium is a personal legacy of a local baker and philanthropist, Noel Yarrow, who was a passionate rugby supporter. It is home to the Taranaki team which feeds the Wellington Hurricanes franchise and is a 30-minute walk from downtown. New Plymouth will host Ireland, Namibia, Russia, Wales and the United States.
The city of Napier had to be substantially rebuilt after 1931 when a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake shattered the area and killed at least 256 people. A vital seaport which facilitates the largest wool centre in the Southern Hemisphere
McLean Park – Capacity: 15 000 – McLean Park is the base for the Hawkes Bay rugby team, part of the Wellington Hurricanes catchment, and is also a regular venue for cricket internationals. The ground has undergone extensive development in the lead up to the World Cup including a new grandstand and new lighting. Napier will host Canada, France and Japan.
Palmerston North, a two-hour drive north of the capital Wellington, is the home of the New Zealand Rugby Museum. The city will host Argentina, Georgia and Romania
Arena Manawatu – Capacity: 15 000 – The stadium land, in the heart of Palmerston North city, was originally developed as a training ground for troops during World War II. In 1996 it was the venue for the first ever Super 12 match which was played between the Wellington Hurricanes and the Auckland Blues.
Wellington is the country’s political centre, housing Parliament and the head offices of all Government Ministries and Departments. It is situated at the south-western tip of the North Island on Cook Strait, the passage that separates the North and South Islands.
Wellington Regional Stadium – Capacity: 40 000 – Wellington Regional Stadium is a purpose-built sports venue opened in 2000 and designed for international rugby, football and cricket matches. It is home to the Wellington Hurricanes and due to its shape and silver-coloured walls the ground is affectionately known as “The Cake Tin”. The stadium is a 10-minute walk from Wellington’s shopping and nightlife area and is linked to the central railway station with regular commuter services to neighbouring cities. Wellington will host Argentina, Australia, Canada, Fiji, France, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, Tonga, Wales and the United States.
Nelson is situated in the geographical centre of New Zealand at the top of the South Island, Nelson is a tourist city with beaches and a sheltered harbour
Trafalgar Park – Capacity: 18 000 – Trafalgar Park became the second home for the Canterbury Crusaders this year after the devastating Christchurch earthquakes ruined their stadium. Nelson is the birthplace of rugby in New Zealand with the first game played between Nelson College and Nelson town in 1870. The city will host Australia, Italy, Russia and the United States.
Dunedin is home to the University of Otago, so students account for a large percentage of the population. The harbour and hills around Dunedin are the remnants of an extinct volcano.
Otago Stadium – Capacity: 30 000 – Otago Stadium is New Zealand’s first fully covered stadium and was opened just a month before the start of the World Cup to replace Dunedin’s ‘House of Pain’ ground Carisbrook. The city was founded by Scottish immigrants whose legacy remains with the naming of the local Super Rugby franchise the Otago Highlanders. Dunedin will host Argentina, England, Georgia, Ireland, Italy and Romania.
Invercargill is New Zealand’s southernmost city and is a three-hour drive from Dunedin. In December 1905, Invercargill voted in local prohibition of alcohol sales. This lasted for 40 years until voted out by returning servicemen in World War II.
Rugby Park – Capacity: 17 000 – New Zealand’s southernmost World Cup venue and the focal point for rugby in Southland which this year contributed about half of the Highlanders squad. Southland was the first South island province to win the Ranfurly Shield, the symbol of provincial rugby superiority in New Zealand. Invercargill will host Argentina, Georgia, Romania and Scotland
