Where the World Cup will be played
07.09.11
One of the most famous sporting stadia in the world, Eden Park will make history on October 23 when it becomes the first venue to host two Rugby World Cup finals.
It also staged the final of the inaugural tournament in 1987 and the first game of the competition on May 22 of that year.
The All Blacks won both matches and will be hoping that history repeats itself on a ground where they have not lost since 1994 and where they have won around 80 per cent of their games.
Indeed, Eden Park has a long and proud history since opening in 1900. In addition to RWC 1987, the 1950 Empire Games were held there, along with the 1988 Rugby League World Cup final and the 1992 Cricket World Cup. It has already been selected as a venue for the 2015 Cricket World Cup.
But it is not just an international staging post for the All Blacks and the country’s rugby league and cricket sides.
It has also housed Auckland’s cricket team since 1910 and the rugby union side since 1925, with Super 14’s Blues franchise and ITM Cup outfit Auckland now both tenants.
Following a huge redevelopment that was finished last year and included two new three-tier stands, Eden Park is New Zealand’s largest stadium at 50,000, but it will carry 10,000 more spectators at RWC 2011 thanks to temporary seats.
When Christchurch was wrecked by an earthquake in February, Eden Park therefore became the natural choice to take over its two quarter-finals on October 8 and 9.
Located in the heart of New Zealand’s largest city – it has a population of over 438,000 – it is well set up to cope with big crowds.
They are likely to experience mild, damp weather during the tournament, with temperatures expected to vary from 9C to 18C.
Source: Yahoo! Eurosport UK (blog)