Eden Park

New Zealand's national stadium and a fortress for the All Blacks.

Eden Park is a sports venue in Auckland, New Zealand. It is located three kilometres southwest of the Auckland CBD, on the boundary between the suburbs of Mount Eden and Kingsland. The main stadium has a nominal capacity of 50,000 and is New Zealand's national stadium. The stadium 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. It is owned and operated by the Eden Park Trust Board, whose headquarters are located in the stadium.

Quick Facts

Nickname: New Zealand's National Stadium
Location: Kingsland, New Zealand
Opened: 1900
Owner: Eden Park Trust Board
Surface: MOTZ turf
Architect: HOK Sports, now Populous (reconstruction)
Structural engineer: Connell Wagner, now Aurecon (reconstruction)
Record attendance: 61,240 (New Zealand vs South Africa, 1 September 1956)

Lore & Background

Eden Park is considered international rugby union's most difficult ground for visiting sides. New Zealand's national rugby union team, the All Blacks, have been unbeaten at this venue in 53 consecutive test matches stretching back to 1994.

Reader's Guide

Eden Park 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, which was jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Eden Park also hosted the final of the 1985–1988 Rugby League World Cup.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Eden Park located?

This stadium is situated in Auckland, New Zealand, serving as the primary home ground for the national team. It remains the central hub for All Blacks rugby throughout the country.