AusLeisure

Auckland's Eden Park will be one of the few venues in the world welcoming a capacity crowd this weekend when the All Blacks face the Wallabies in the second test of the Bledisloe Cup series on Sunday evening.

With a small resurgence of COVID-19 cases seeing Auckland move back into lockdown in mid-August which meant several matches were either played with no spectators, called off, cancelled or postponed, as of Wednesday 7th October restrictions were again lifted with the New Zealand Government announcing that unrestricted crowds were welcome at the eagerly awaited Bledisloe Cup.

With a period of 10 days to prepare the country’s largest stadium for a sell-out crowd, Eden Park (known as Coopers Catch Park for the game under a sponsorship deal with ASB Bank) team is well prepared and excited to deliver another unforgettable experience.

Eden Park Chief Executive, Nick Sautner explains “we look forward to welcoming a capacity crowd of near 50,000 of our nation’s ‘team of five million’ who all played a key role in reducing the spread of COVID-19.

“A special thank you to the more than 3,000-strong workforce who help to deliver events and make it possible for the return of live sport and entertainment at Eden Park.”

With the All Blacks enjoying an 87% winning percentage at Eden Park, Sautner added “the All Blacks hold a 34-year winning streak against the Wallabies at Eden Park, one of the most impressive records in sporting history. There’s no question this stadium has immense mana for both athletes and fans.

“The health of staff, athletes and patrons remains our priority and our team contributed to developing ‘the Covid Code’ for Government. Following the move to Alert Level 1, a number of additional measures will be in place at Eden Park such as sanitiser stations, digital and static hygiene promotion signage and additional cleaning of frequently used surfaces. The Park’s QR code will be available for those utilising the NZ COVID Tracer App.”

Eden Park will play a key role in contributing to New Zealand’s economy through future events including the three Women’s World Cups (2021 Rugby World Cup, ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup and FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023) and Te Matatini hosted at Eden Park.

Images: Eden Park is being referred to as Coopers Catch Park this weekend under a sponsorship deal with ASB Bank (top) and Eden Park Chief Executive, Nick Sautner (below). 

Related Articles

16th October 2020 - Concerts return to Auckland’s Spark Arena

16th October 2020 - South Africa withdraws from Rugby Championship citing Coronavirus travel restrictions and player safety concerns

12th October 2020 - Eden Park takes on fish and chip business naming rights for Bledisloe Cup

6th October 2020 - ASB makes history with Eden Park naming rights deal

2nd October 2020 - Super Rugby Aotearoa competition to return in 2021

12th September 2020 - New Zealand to host two Bledisloe Cup Tests ahead of Australian-based Rugby Championship

11th September 2020 - Australia to replace New Zealand as host of 2020 Rugby Championship tournament

7th September 2020 - Restrictions on Auckland gatherings sees ARL season cancelled for all grades

3rd September 2020 - Auckland’s new All Blacks Experience to open in December

27th August 2020 - Auckland Council agrees merger of facilities and tourism and events CCOs

17th August 2020 - Super Rugby Aotearoa competition ends with Eden Park fixture cancellation

14th August 2020 - Sporting events in jeopardy under Auckland’s new Coronavirus lockdown

18th July 2020 - Eden Park to become New Zealand’s home of esports

8th July 2020 - Eden Park looks to hosting of multiple World Cup events over next three years

30th June 2020 - World Rugby cancels remainder of Sevens season

19th June 2020 - Crowds set to return to Stadium Waikato for third Super Rugby Aotearoa clash

14th June 2020 - Fans return to Super Rugby in New Zealand

5th June 2020 - Eden Park Chief Executive ‘thrilled’ at prospect of again welcoming fans to watch live sport

2nd June 2020 - New Zealand Rugby announces details of new domestic competition

22nd April 2020 - Auckland’s Eden Park and Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena win at TheStadiumBusiness Awards 2020

---

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.