2011 Rugby World Cup: match venues

Thirteen towns and cities throughout New Zealand will host matches during the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

The geographical spread – from Whangarei in the top of the North Island to Invercargill at the bottom of the South Island – reflects the New Zealand Rugby Union’s (NZRU) desire to make the tournament a nationally supported event.

All venues will host at least two games.

Kick off – 9 September, 2011
The 2011 Rugby World Cup tournament will kick off at Eden Park in Auckland on 9 September 2011; the final match will be played in the same venue on 23 October 2011.

The IRB Rugby World Cup is the third-largest sports event in the world. The inaugural tournament took place in 1987 and it is held every four years.

Match venues
The match venues (from north to south) are:
• Whangarei
• North Shore
• Auckland
• Hamilton
• Rotorua
• New Plymouth
• Napier
• Palmerston North
• Wellington
• Nelson
• Christchurch
• Dunedin
• Invercargill

Background: 2011 Rugby World Cup match venues

Whangarei
Whangarei – halfway between Auckland and New Zealand’s northern tip – is the regional launching pad for New Zealand’s far north, a narrow stretch of land surrounded by unspoilt coastline and a seaside playground offering adventure or escape. Birthplace of the modern nation, the region has a rich Maori and early European heritage.