Waikato Stadium, New Zealand sports stadium
Waikato Stadium is a sports stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand, used mainly for rugby union and association football matches. It has a natural grass pitch and covered stands around the field, giving spectators a clear view from most seating areas.
Rugby Park opened on the site in 1925; in 1956 Waikato beat the visiting Springboks there before more than 31,000 people, and in 1981 a Springbok tour match was abandoned after a pitch invasion. Construction of Waikato Stadium began in 2000 and it opened in 2002 with a Super 12 match between the Chiefs and the Crusaders. On 1 October 2015 a ten-year naming rights agreement made it FMG Stadium Waikato.
The ground hosts two regular tenants: the Chiefs in Super Rugby and the Waikato side in the Bunnings NPC. On 1 October 2015 a 10-year naming rights agreement made it FMG Stadium Waikato, a name used alongside Waikato Stadium. The 2005 match where the New Zealand Māori beat the British & Irish Lions drew a crowd here.
The stadium sits close to central Hamilton, making it easy to reach on foot from the city center. On busy event days, arriving early is a good idea because parking nearby can fill up quickly.
The stadium was one of the venues for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, held in New Zealand, which brought international teams and fans to Hamilton. The ground is also occasionally used for concerts, so the field layout can change between sporting events.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,617 contributors worldwide.
