Eden Park is the main sports ground in Auckland, New Zealand for both rugby union during winter, and cricket in summer. To accommodate both sports, the cricket pitch is removable. The ground is located three kilometres southwest of Auckland’s CBD, straddling the boundary between the Kingsland and Mt. Eden suburbs.
It is set to become the first stadium to host two Rugby World Cup Finals in 2011, having held the inaugural final in 1987. The ground has also been the home of the Auckland Rugby Union since 1925, hosting Auckland’s home games in the National Provincial Championship and its successor the Air New Zealand Cup, as well as the Blues in Super Rugby, and international test rugby. It hosted the final match of the Rugby World Cup in 1987.
In a switch of codes, Eden Park hosted the 1988 Rugby League World Cup final between New Zealand and Australia, which drew a sell out crowd. It is scheduled to be the focal point of the 2011 Rugby World Cup, with the opening ceremony, first pool game, both semi finals, and the grand final taking place at Eden Park, as well as numerous other pool and knockout games.
Eden Park has a crowd capacity of 42,000 for cricket, and 47,500 for rugby. This is the largest of any New Zealand sports arena. There are no standing areas. Temporary seating in front of the ASB Stand and the West Stand (usually only used for international rugby matches) is required for the capacity of 45,472 to be reached. Due to sight-screens and the larger area required for cricket matches, cricket capacity is less.
Details
- Website: allblacks.com
- Capacity of 45,472