Rugby Park Stadium, Rugby union venue in Invercargill, New Zealand.
Rugby Park Stadium is a rugby ground at the corner of Elles Road and Tweed Street in Invercargill. Its main stand was rebuilt in 2002 with player facilities and corporate boxes, and the pitch was shifted toward it, squared to rugby dimensions and fitted with high-volume drainage. The ground holds 18,000 for regular season matches, with grass banks and standing terraces raising temporary capacity to 20,000.
The stadium opened in 1908 and is one of the oldest rugby grounds in New Zealand. Major renovations in 2002 rebuilt the main grandstand and improved facilities for spectators.
Southland, the Mitre 10 Cup team, is the ground's regular home side, while the Highlanders from Dunedin only play here occasionally. The ground is nicknamed "The roaring pen", and its terraces and grass banks fill for Ranfurly Shield defences and events such as Nitro Circus in 2017 and Relay For Life.
The stadium sits on Tweed Street and hosts various types of events beyond rugby matches, including private functions. Different areas offer both covered seating and open embankments, so bring suitable clothing depending on the weather.
Rugby Park holds the distinction of being the world's southernmost first-class cricket ground. A clay pitch was installed in 1909, the first match was played in 1911, and five first-class matches took place between 1915 and 1921. The Southland Cricket Association later moved to Queens Park.
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