Last Updated on April 25, 2025

New Zealand has a wealth of sporting stadiums for fans to visit. Often used for multiple events, each one is sure to host an event you will love. We discuss them in the article below.  

When visitors come to New Zealand, they generally arrive for one of two things: The first is the country’s natural beauty, ranging from its dense forests to its jagged mountain tops. Not to mention, the amazing city of Auckland. If not for this, it is inevitably a sporting event. The country is dotted with major stadiums, which each host a variety of sports and events. If you have just landed in the country and want to know where to go, we can help with our guide to the stadiums of New Zealand. However, what about New Zealand’s passion for sports?

New Zealand’s Passion for Sports

New Zealand is a haven for a wide range of sports, from rugby and cricket to skiing and netball. Whether locals are tuning in at home or cheering from the stands of iconic stadiums like Eden Park or Sky Stadium, sport is deeply woven into the country’s culture. That enthusiasm extends beyond the sidelines — many fans take their engagement further through fantasy leagues, supporter clubs, and increasingly, sports betting.

With the rise of mobile technology, placing a bet is now as simple as pulling out your phone before kickoff.  Several bookmakers cater specifically to Kiwi fans with tailored promotions and user-friendly platforms. Bet365, for example, offers bonuses in New Zealand, where you can find information here about the offers available. These are available when signing up for a new account. 

Rugby 

Rugby Union is the national sport of New Zealand and is loved by most of the population. In fact, New Zealand has been the world champions three times, with the last one coming in 2015. It is believed that around 75% of citizens follow the sport. The country’s leagues are divided into four tiers. At the top of this is the Bunnings Warehouse NPC, formerly known as the Mitre 10 Cup. There is also a Super League that includes teams from the Pacific islands. However, standing atop this is the national squad: The All Blacks and the Black Ferns. These teams are the pinnacle of international rugby.  

Cricket 

During the southern hemisphere summer, cricket becomes the national sport. The country is one of twelve that take part in international test match cricket. New Zealand Cricket is the board that runs professional matches in the country, and there are teams of various levels across the whole country. The board is currently in talks to produce a brand new Major League Cricket franchise in North America.  

Netball 

Netball is the most popular sport for females in New Zealand. The Silver Ferns, its national team, are second in the world rankings. There are plenty of domestic competitions in the country, with the ANZ Premiership being the highest level. Top teams include the Northern Mystics and Waikato Pulse.  

Stadiums of New Zealand you must visit

The stadiums in New Zealand don’t just serve a purpose for sports but also for musical concerts and tours. Some of them are also cultural landmarks. Scattered across the country, each stadium has its own unique character, history, and lineup of unforgettable events. Below, we highlight five of the top stadiums you should visit during your time in New Zealand.

Eden Park 

Eden Park is located in Auckland, but more specifically, around three kilometres outside the city centre. It has a capacity of 50,000 and is the country’s de facto National Stadium. This is due to it being home to so many teams of importance, ranging from both cricket squads to rugby teams.  

Eden Park has also built a reputation for being one of the most fearsome grounds for visiting international rugby sides. Not only do teams have the fervent home crowd support to compete with, as well as the Haka, but they also have to make the long journey from elsewhere on the globe to Auckland. Should they get through this, they then face the All Blacks, who are unbeaten here in fifty consecutive games.  

It has also been the scene of multiple World Cup tournaments. These have ranged from the FIFA Women’s World Cup in soccer to the Rugby World Cup Finals.  

Forsyth Barr Stadium 

Also referred to as Otago Stadium sans its commercial moniker, Forsyth Barr Stadium is one of the most versatile in the country. It is situated in Dunedin, very close to a few other major sporting venues. However, this is dotted with international fixtures and concerts featuring the likes of Fleetwood Mac, and Ed Sheeran, along with shows like Hot Wheels Monster Trucks.  It advertises itself as a place where sports, concerts, events, and conferences come to be held.  

A look through its previous events, and you can see how true this is. It is home to the Highlanders, who play there throughout the season and in friendlies. Sports like rugby have become a huge part of New Zealand culture, and teams like this are at the forefront. Many people like to make a wager on cricket, rugby, and other events to add an extra layer of excitement to their sporting day. With the introduction of online sportsbooks and introductory bonus offers, it is now easier than ever for people to do so. 

Waikato Stadium 

Now known as the FMG Waikato Stadium, this is the major event hub in Hamilton. Made of four stands, its capacity is 25,800, which means even in the biggest games and events, it still feels quite intimate. It is home to the Chiefs Rugby Union team and the Waikato team in the Mitre 10 Cup.
 
Unlike most other stadiums, which combine sports with arts and culture, it is primarily a sporting ground. It has hosted international rugby, soccer, and the finals of national sporting events. Even paintball finals have been held at the stadium.  

Sky Stadium 

Also known as the Wellington Regional Stadium, this is one of the newer constructions in the country being built in 1999. Many fans affectionately refer to it as the cake tin, due to its bowl-like construction and building materials. It replaced the former Athletic Park, which had fallen into disrepair. The Sky part of its name is from sponsorship, and it was previously known as the Westpac Stadium. 

The stadium is the permanent home to the Wellington Lions and the Hurricanes. It is also often a home venue for the All Blacks, as well as Wellington Phoenix FC, who name it the Ring of Fire. It also hosts cricket events over the summer months. 

Go Media Stadium 

Often referred to as the Mount Smart Stadium, this is another multi-purpose stadium you should visit if you are in Auckland. It was built in 1943 from a former quarry in the volcanic zone of Rarotonga. This one is in the Penrose area and is home to the Warriors rugby league team and Auckland FC football club. The Moana Pasifika Super Rugby team also uses it as a home ground.   

Unlike many other stadiums in the country that host rugby, cricket, and football, this one is also a home for athletics. It also used to host the Big Day Out music festival and has been the scene for some huge global artists since. Michael Jackson performed at the stadium twice, making it his preferred destination when playing in New Zealand. More recently, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, The Rolling Stones, and Adele have also played there.