Eden Park

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Lore & Background

The land where Eden Park stands was originally swampland, fed by lava caverns created by Maungawhau / Mount Eden and Mount Albert over 30,000 years ago. Tāmaki Māori used the swamp to collect food and materials. In 1845, the area was purchased by Cornish farmer John Walters. Eden Park has been a sports ground since 1900. The park began as a cricket ground in 1903, and was due to the vision of one Harry Ryan, a cricket enthusiast who approached landowner John Walters to lease part of his land as a sports field. In 1913 the park was leased to the Auckland Rugby Football Union, becoming both a summer and winter sporting venue. The first rugby test was held on 27 August 1921, when South Africa beat New Zealand 9–5 before a crowd of 40,000. In 1930, the ground hosted its inaugural British and Irish Lions matches. Eden Park served as the opening ceremony and athletics venue for the 1950 British Empire Games. In 1955, the New Zealand Parliament passed the Eden Park Trust Act. During the 1981 Springbok Tour, a low-flying Cessna 172 piloted by Marx Jones and Grant Cole disrupted the final test by dropping flour-bombs on the pitch. At the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987, New Zealand defeated France 29–9 in the final. In 1988, Eden Park hosted the 1988 Rugby League World Cup final, with Australia defeating New Zealand 25–12. In 2007, the ground was confirmed as the venue for the final of the 2011 Rugby World Cup, with redevelopment beginning in 2008.

In Their Own Story

The atmosphere at Eden Park shifts dramatically during an All Blacks Test match. On August 27, 1921, 40,000 spectators witnessed the first Test here, though it ended in defeat against South Africa. Decades later, the crowd dynamics changed irrevocably; by 1956, a record 63,000 fans packed the stands to see New Zealand beat South Africa 11–5. The turning point for the venue's modern legacy came in 2011. After a hotly debated dilemma about whether to host the Rugby World Cup final at this historic ground or build a new city centre stadium, the decision was made to redevelop Eden Park. On September 9, 2011, New Zealand defeated Tonga 41–10 in front of 60,214 fans to start the tournament. The climax arrived when New Zealand defeated France 8–7 before a crowd of 61,079 in the final. This victory made Eden Park the first stadium in the world to host two Rugby World Cup finals, having also held the inaugural final in 1987 where New Zealand defeated France 29–9.

Reader's Guide

Eden Park is located three kilometres southwest of the Auckland CBD, on the boundary between Mount Eden and Kingsland. The main stadium has a nominal capacity of 50,000. It is used primarily for rugby union in winter and cricket in summer, and has also hosted rugby league and association football matches, as well as concerts and cultural events. The stadium is owned and operated by the Eden Park Trust Board, whose headquarters are located in the stadium. Eden Park is the site of the 2021 Te Matatini. It was the site for the 2022 Women's Cricket World Cup, the final of the 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup and staged the opening match of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. In 2011 it hosted pool games, two quarter-finals, both semi-finals and the final of 2011 Rugby World Cup. In doing so it became the first stadium in the world to host two Rugby World Cup finals, having held the inaugural final in 1987. It was a venue for the 2015 Cricket World Cup. Eden Park also hosted the final of the 1985–1988 Rugby League World Cup.

Did You Know?

• Eden Park is the only venue to have hosted both the Rugby Union and Rugby League World Cup finals.
• The first rugby test at Eden Park was in 1921, when South Africa beat New Zealand 9–5.
• During the 1981 Springbok Tour, a Cessna 172 dropped flour-bombs on the pitch.
• Eden Park hosted the opening ceremony and athletics for the 1950 British Empire Games.

Origins and Transformation

The land where Eden Park stands was originally swampland fed by lava caverns created by Maungawhau / Mount Eden and Mount Albert over 30,000 years ago. In 1845, Cornish farmer John Walters purchased the area. The park began as a cricket ground in 1903 due to the vision of Harry Ryan, who leased part of the land. Early conditions were poor; authors describe the rough paddock as strewn with stones and cowpats, falling away to a boggy trough that flooded in winter. Massive downpours in 1907 submerged the ground for a week, leading the Eden District Cricket Club to approach the Auckland Cricket Association by 1910. By 1912, the land transferred to the association's trustees, and the name 'Eden Park' settled into general usage.

Early Development and International Debut

In 1913, the Auckland Rugby Football Union leased the park for 21 years, agreeing to build the first grandstand for 2,500 people. The second members' stand followed in 1914. That same year, the first international cricket match was held against Australia, and the first rugby match (a seven-a-side series) took place on May 9, with the first representative match played on September 5 against Wellington. Drainage issues ceased to be a regular problem in the 1920s. The first rugby Test occurred on August 27, 1921, where South Africa beat New Zealand 5–9 before 40,000 fans. In 1933, Wally Hammond set an individual test batting record of 336 not out in the first cricket Test against England.

Rugby Dominance and World Cup Legacy

Eden Park is considered international rugby union's most difficult ground for visiting sides, with the All Blacks unbeaten in 53 consecutive tests since 1994. It hosted pool games, two quarter-finals, both semi-finals, and the final of the 2011 Rugby World Cup. This made it the first stadium to host two Rugby World Cup finals, having held the inaugural final in 1987 where New Zealand defeated France 29–9 before 48,035 people. In 1988, it hosted the Rugby League World Cup final (Australia defeating New Zealand 25–12), making it the only venue to host both codes' finals in consecutive years. It also hosted the third British and Irish Lions tour match in 1959, where visitors won their first Test at the ground.

Multicultural Hub and Modern Events

With a nominal capacity of 50,000, Eden Park is New Zealand's national stadium used primarily for rugby union in winter and cricket in summer. It has also hosted association football, including the opening match of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup and the final of the 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup. The venue hosted the 2021 Te Matatini and was a site for the 2022 Women's Cricket World Cup. In 2015, it held four matches during the jointly hosted Cricket World Cup, including the first semi-final between New Zealand and South Africa. It was also a venue for the final of the 1985–1988 Rugby League World Cup.