A special ticketing offer, a call to wear gumboots in the name of charity, a mini golf course like no other, the best of grassroots footy and a massive potential saving on getting home from the venue are all key features of game day at Mt Smart Stadium this Friday when the Vodafone Warriors take on the Gold Coast Titans.
The match is being promoted as New Zealand’s biggest “Gumboot Friday” charity drive after the Vodafone Warriors partnered with New Zealander of the Year Mike King’s initiative.
Fans are being encouraged to wear their gumboots to the game and donate a gold coin at the gate as King and the club join forces to help raise much-needed funds to provide Kiwi kids with free counselling.
King has spearheaded the campaign and is hoping to generate $2 million from a range of activities across the country on what is being called “Gumboot Friday”.
The gumboot-wearing comedian will also be in attendance at Mt Smart Stadium on Friday night and will go head-to-head with a fan pulled out of the crowd at half-time in a goal-kicking competition.
Should King be beaten, he will personally donate $500 to the cause in the fan’s name.
One lucky fan will also win a return trip for two from Auckland to Christchurch, including accommodation, to attend the You Are Us concert at Hagley Park on Wednesday, April 17.
In order to be eligible to win, they will need to be proudly wearing their gumboots and in their seat at half-time.
Meanwhile, Mt Smart Stadium and the Vodafone Warriors are preparing to roll out the welcome mat to Blues rugby fans on Friday night.
On Wednesday, the two organisations confirmed a unique ticket offer which allows anyone holding a ticket to the Vodafone Warriors’ clash with the Titans to attend the Blues’ game against the Waratahs at Eden Park the following night. The same applies the other way, too, with Blues fans able to use their ticket or membership pass to access Mt Smart Stadium on Friday.
Seating for fans at the reciprocal venue will be available in specified general admission areas and terms and conditions apply*.
Further sweetening the deal for fans of both clubs, Vodafone Warriors official ride-share partner, Ola, has also set up a special coupon that will give them $20 off their first ride. To access the discount, fans should enter the code “WARRIORS”.
Get the app here
In other exciting game day activity, the Mitre 10 Mini Golf course will once again be in full swing this Friday.
The unique course, which sees fans attempt to putt around plumbing equipment, through kitchen sinks and a range of other hardware obstacles, will be open from 5:30pm and is free to all patrons. Balls and putters are provided.
On the field this Friday, rookie halfback Chanel Harris-Tavita will make his NRL debut for the Vodafone Warriors. And off it, the Wendys Power Play will be making its first appearance.
Wendys, a long-time loyal sponsor of the club, want fans to win when the Vodafone Warriors score on the pitch.
On Friday, if the home team scores during the Wendys Power Play, then fans can score free Wendys. All will become clear on game day. But to ensure you’re ready to roll and match fit, download the new Wendy’s NZ app so the coupon can be sent straight to your phone while you’re in the stands.
Rounding out the entertainment – or should we say, kicking it off – is the heavyweight battle between two of Auckland’s storied league clubs with the Pt Chevalier Pirates and Glenora Bears kicking off the 2019 SAS Fox Memorial Premiership Qualifiers as the curtain-raiser to the NRL match at 5:40pm.
TIMINGS:
- Gates open: 5:30pm
- Fox Memorial Premiership Qualifying Series – Glenora Bears vs Pt Chev Pirates: 5:40pm
- DJ Manchoo & Alex King on the turntables in iHeartRadio Sound Stage: 5:30pm-7:30pm
- Vodafone Warriors v Gold Coast Titans: 8:00pm
TRANSPORT:
Travel on trains to see the Vodafone Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium is included with your game ticket or membership card. Services can be used from three hours before kick-off of the NRL match. For more info, click here.
WHAT’S HAPPENING ON GAME DAY:
Gold coin donations are encouraged into the piggy boots at all gates
- Woodstock Bar open from 5:30pm
- Food Alley with some of Auckland’s most loved food trucks open from 5:30pm
- Selection of arcade games to play in the Entertainment Precinct including Sega Car Racing, Street Fighter and Terminator Pin Ball
- Canterbury of NZ chance to win a $200 voucher with the Canterbury T-Shirt Canon
- Chance to win four tickets to the upcoming re-match between the Kiwis and Mate Ma‘a Tonga at Mt Smart Stadium on June 22 through the NZRL
- Chance for one fan to head onto the field at half-time and compete against Mike King in a goal-kicking competition. Just be wearing a 2019 Vodafone Warriors jersey and your gumboots for the chance to be selected
- One lucky gumboot-wearing fan will also be given return flights, accommodation and tickets to the You Are Us concert at Hagley Park in Christchurch. Be in the stands and in your gumboots at halftime for your chance to win
- Mitre 10 Mini Golf area
- Vodafone Warriors Community Corner passing wall, free face painting and your chance to get a photo at the photo station
- Footy club relay and mini mods
FOOD AND BEV:
North Stand
- North Bar
- Fritz Weiner (GF) (V) options
- Gourmet shuttle (GF) (V) options
- Toro Churros
- Funtime Donut - Hawker
South West Concourse
- Toro Churros
- Karena Coffee
- Funtime Donut
West Concourse
- Bar
- Stadium food and beverage outlet
- Funtime Donuts
- Rack'n'Roll
- Fritz Weiner (GF) (V) options
- Black Stag Deli
- Danish Delight
- Karena Coffee
Entertainment Precinct
- Woodstock Bar
- Vodafone Warriors Members’ Bar
- The White Lady (GF) (V) options
- Hungri Hunter
- Fritz Weiner (GF) (V) options
- Stumpy's Pizza
- Karena Coffee
- The Gelato Workshop
- Funtime Donut - Hawker
Lower South East
- Karena Coffee
- Fritz Weiner (GF) (V) options
- Funtime - Fast Food
- Gourmet shuttle (GF) (V) options
- Mr Whippy
- Donut Dudes
Lower East
- Stadium food and beverage outlet
- Bar
Upper East
- Stadium food and beverage outlet
- Donut Dudes
- Weta Coffee
East Stand Lounge Entrance
- Toro Churros
- Fritz Weiner (GF) (V) options
- Danish Delight
*T’s and C’s for Blues ticketing partnership:
A valid match ticket for either Vodafone Warriors v Titans on Friday, April 5 or Blues v Waratahs on Saturday, April 6 is required for entry at the respective venues.
Seating at the reciprocal venues will be in specified General Admission areas regardless of the seating category selected at the original point of purchase. GA capacity is limited, and patrons will be admitted on a first come basis.
Vodafone Warriors and Blues ticketholders can use their match ticket on Friday, April 5 to travel to Mt Smart Stadium on trains only. Blues and Vodafone Warriors ticketholders can use their match ticket to travel to Eden Park on Manukau/Botany/Pakuranga special events buses, the NX1 bus services to Britomart and trains on Saturday, April 6.
