Venues for 2011 Rugby World Cup (Part I)
2011 Rugby World Cup which is going to be held in New Zealand coming year will be the 7th Rugby World Cup. It was 2005, when International Rugby Board selected New Zealand as host in preference to South Africa and Japan. Expected cost of the event is 310 NZ dollars but only sales of ticket will generate 280 NZ dollars. Rugby World Cup will be the largest sporting event to be held in New Zealand. It is expected that 70,000 people from different part of the world will travel to New Zealand during the World Cup.
New Zealand has announced venues for the world cup matches. A total number of 48 matches will be played between 20 teams at 13 different stadiums of 12 cities of New Zealand. Eden Park of Auckland will host the most number of matches including 2 semi finals and 1 the grand final.
Eden Park, Auckland
Eden Park of Auckland is hosting the most number of 9 matches of the rugby world cup. It is the biggest available stadium in New Zealand for rugby. It’s also used for different other sports mainly cricket. The ground is located three kilo meters southwest of Auckland's Central Business District, straddling the boundary between the Kingsland and Mount Eden suburbs.
Eden Park is going to become first stadium to host 2 rugby world cup finals. The final of 1987’s rugby world cup was also played here. The stadium is under construction at the moment and the plan is to enhance its capacity. After the construction work completed, this stadium will have capacity of 60,000.
Lancaster Park, Christchurch
Lancaster Park of Christchurch currently known as AMI Stadium due to sponsorship rights is the 2nd largest rugby stadium in New Zealand. It has capacity of 38,628. This stadium will host 7 matches of world cup including 2 of the quarter finals.
Like many other stadiums of New Zealand, it has also hosted many other sporting events including cricket, football and athletics and some not sporting events like concerts.
The stadium was formerly known as Lancaster Park but in 1998, its name was renamed as Jade Stadium as the naming rights were taken by Jade Software Corporation Limited for next 9 years. In 2007, the naming rights were taken by AMI Insurance Limited and stadium was renamed as AMI Stadium. The park on which the stadium stands is still called Lancaster Park and as such, the formal name for the venue is AMI Stadium at Lancaster Park.
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Westpac stadium, which was previously known as Westpac Trust Stadium is the 3rd largest rugby stadium of New Zealand. It is situated in the city of Wellington. It has total capacity of 36,000. It is a major sporting venue in Wellington. The stadium is also known as Wellington Regional Stadium and hosting total number of 7 matches including 2 quarter finals. The stadium, due to its shape and silver coloured external walls, is also known as The Cake-Tin.
The stadium was built in 1999 and it is situated very close to major transport facilities such as Wellington Railway Station, which will be helpful for the visitors.
Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua
Rotorua international Stadium is the 4th largest rugby stadium in New Zealand. The Rotorua international Stadium was built in 1911, and it has renovated several times since. It has total capacity of 34,000. It will host 3 matches of world cup including the match of Ireland, which holds the 5ft position in international rugby ranking. The stadium is located on Devon Street West in Westbrook suburb of Rotorua. The stadium is also used for football matches.
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Forsyth Barr Stadium is situated in the city of Dunedin. It used to be known with different names in different times like Otago Stadium, Dunedin Stadium, Awatea Street Stadium and New Carisbrook. The stadium is under construction at the moment and will be ready to host world cup matches in August next year.
It will have a capacity of 30,500 spectators and the stadium is schedule to host 3 matches of the world cup.
The Stadium is located in North Dunedin, close to out flow of the Leith into Otago Harbour. It has many other major sport venues close to it.
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