New Zealand has been a hub of multi-purpose stadiums. Numerous venues host numerous sporting events. Rugby, Cricket and Football are the most common events accompanied by motorsports. New Zealand recently hosted the ICC Women’s World Cup in 2022 and hosted the men’s Cricket World Cup in 1992 and 2015, sharing rights with Australia.
- Eden Park, Auckland
Primarily a rugby stadium, Eden Park’s history is a century long. The ground was established in 1900. 30 years after the establishment, New Zealand hosted England for the first time in a Test at this venue. The multipurpose stadium has been hosting football and rugby apart from Cricket till date. The large stadium is located in the largest city of New Zealand, Auckland. The venue hosted matches of 1992 Cricket World Cup, 2015 Cricket World Cup and 2022 Women’s ODI World Cup.
Capacity: 50,000
Historic Matches: New Zealand hosted the Windies in November 2020 for a T20I series. It was hosted after a gap of 8 months due to the pandemic. The first encounter saw Lockie Ferguson registering a fifer which overshadowed Kieron Pollard’s 75*. All-rounders Mitchell Santner and James Neesham led NZ to a comfortable victory while chasing.
Nearby Spots: The Eden Park in Auckland is surrounded by various tourist attractions. Mount Eden, Auckland Zoo shouldn’t be missed by the lovers of nature.
- Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Hagley Oval is New Zealand’s historic and oldest venue in cricket. The stadium was established in 1851 and the First recorded match at the venue was in 1867 between Canterbury and Otago. Despite having a long history, Hagley Oval took more than centuries to host international cricket. In 2013, it was controversially developed to an international venue for cricket. The stadium has actively hosted all formats since then for New Zealand.
Capacity: 9,000
Historic Matches: The ODI between West Indies and New Zealand saw the hosts dominate with both bat and ball. Half centuries from George Worker, Ross Taylor and Henry Nichollls helped the Kiwis to put 325 runs on the scoreboard. Later, it was the fiery spell from Trent Boult which ripped through the batting line-up.
Nearby Spots: Christchurch is a beautiful city of New Zealand known for its English heritage. The Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Canterbury Museum are some of the top places to visit in Christchurch.
- Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln
Located in the Lincoln University, the Bert Sutcliffe Oval was established in 1998. The stadium was renamed after the legendary Kiwi opener, Bert Sutcliffe in 2000. Post establishment, the stadium has regularly hosted domestic as well international fixtures for both men and women. In recent years, Bert Sutcliffe Oval has scheduled frequent women’s cricket matches.
Capacity: 3,000
Historic Matches: The venue has hosted only two ODIs and the first one between Kenya and Netherlands saw batsmen from both sides score centuries. Wesley Barresi from the Netherlands side scored 137* off 150 deliveries which eventually went in vain. Kenya’s Irfan Karim scored 108 from just 84 deliveries.
Nearby Spots: Air Force Museum, Avon River
- University of Otago Oval, Dunedin
The University Of Otago Oval is home to cricket, rugby as well as football fixtures. Owned by Dunedin City Council, the stadium was formerly known as Logan Park Oval. It also hosted 2015 World Cup matches. A grandstand at the venue includes bars, lounges, players’ and umpires’ rooms and other top facilities. Interestingly, it was the University Oval which hosted the first Test with Decision Review System in use.
Capacity: 3,500
Historic Matches: The first ever T20I hosted at the venue turns out to be the most epic encounter between the neighbors Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand defended a target of 220 after Martin Guptill’s explosive knock of 97 runs at the opening position.
Nearby Spots: Dunedin is a beautiful city in New Zealand known for its historic heritage. Places like Larnach Castle, Dunedin Museum are must visits.
- Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Wellington Regional Stadium (also Sky Stadium due to sponsorship deals) was built in 1999. It was built to fully replace either venues like Athletic Park or the Basin Reserve ground with a better audience capacity. The stadium also hosts home fixtures of Wellington based rugby and football sides.
Capacity: 34,500
Historic Matches: Australia Vs New Zealand T20I in 2021.
Nearby Spots: The capital city of New Zealand, Wellington includes worthwhile spots like The Weta Cave and Zealandia.
