Rotorua International Stadium facts for kids
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"The Hangi Pit"
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| Location | Devon Street West, Rotorua, New Zealand |
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| Coordinates | 38°9′21″S 176°13′27″E / 38.15583°S 176.22417°E |
| Capacity | Rugby: 26,000 Concerts: 30,000 |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1911 |
| Tenants | |
| Bay of Plenty Rugby Union Rotorua United Chiefs |
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The Rotorua International Stadium is a big sports ground in Rotorua, New Zealand. It's located on Devon Street West in the Westbrook area. This stadium is used for many different sports and events.
It's a very important place for rugby union and rugby league games. It's one of the main home stadiums for the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union team. You can also find a softball field at one end of the stadium.
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Welcome to Rotorua International Stadium!
This stadium can hold up to 26,000 people for rugby games. For concerts, even more people can fit, up to 30,000! The stadium was first built a long time ago in 1911. It has been updated many times since then.
There's a special covered stand that can seat about 5,000 people. This means fans can stay dry and comfortable while watching the action. There's also a large concrete seating area on the western side of the field.
A Home for Sports
The Rotorua International Stadium is a busy place. It's home to the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union team. Other teams like Rotorua United and the Chiefs also play here. It's a central spot for sports in the region.
Big Games and Exciting Moments
Over the years, the stadium has hosted many memorable sports events. From international rugby matches to big tournaments, it has seen a lot of action.
Rugby Union Highlights
The stadium has a rich history with rugby union. It hosted a game in the 1987 Rugby World Cup. This was the match to decide which team came in third or fourth place. It has also been the venue for important international "Test matches." Famous teams like the British and Irish Lions have played here during their tours. Many people believe it's the true home of Bay of Plenty rugby.
Rugby League Thrills
Rotorua International Stadium has also hosted exciting rugby league Test matches. The very first one was on July 16, 1989. The Australian team, led by Wally Lewis, beat New Zealand 8–0. An amazing 26,000 fans watched this game, which is still the highest number of people ever at the stadium for any sport!
Later, New Zealand played Papua New Guinea here in 1996 and 2010. In 2010, New Zealand won 76–12 as part of the 2010 Rugby League Four Nations tournament. In 2023, the stadium hosted the special NRL All Stars match. This is a game where top players from the NRL (National Rugby League) play against each other before the main season starts.
World Cup Action
The stadium was a host venue for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Three exciting matches were played here.
- On September 10, Fiji beat Namibia 49–25.
- Later, Samoa defeated Namibia 49–12.
- The final World Cup game at the stadium saw Ireland beat Russia 62–12.
See also
In Spanish: Estadio Internacional de Rotorua para niños
