Fans are about to invade Christchurch as the city kicks off a four-day footy festival from today peaking with the One New Zealand Warriors’ historic NRL match against the North Queensland Cowboys at a packed One New Zealand Stadium on Sunday.
Following on from the epic scenes during Magic Round in Brisbane last month, it promises to be more of the same with thousands for supporters travelling from far and wide for one of the biggest occasions rugby league has seen in New Zealand.
Decked out in Warriors apparel they'll pack central city cafes, bars and restaurants as the city comes alive with Wahs fever.
Mapped out across the four days are a number of special events adding to the experience.
Opening its doors today is a Warriors pop-up store at 213 Tuam Street in the central city (underneath the One New Zealand building).
Match: Warriors v Cowboys
Round 16 -
home Team
Warriors
2nd Position
away Team
Cowboys
9th Position
Venue: One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
It’s the fifth pop-up the Warriors have opened this year, the most recent in central Brisbane attracting phenomenal queues and trade as fans engulfed the store every day it was in business.
The Tuam Street store will operate for four days up to and including game day. See here for more details.
Also under way today is a four-day visit by the Warriors Community Foundation which takes in a number of events including a clinic at the Linwood Keas later today and an All Abilities Have a Go Day at the Selwyn Sports Centre in Rolleston tomorrow afternoon.
On Friday afternoon rugby league greats will gather at One New Zealand Stadium for what will be a memorable Legends Lunch (sponsored by PlaceMakers). Among the special guests will be Australians Gorden Tallis and Kevin Walters plus Warriors alumni Simon Mannering, Shaun Johnson and Micheal Luck. The corporate event will also help to raise funds for the Warriors Community Foundation.
On Saturday morning Warriors Community Foundation staff and Warriors players will be at Canterbury Agricultural Park supporting kids’ footy.
At the same time the One New Zealand Warriors will be getting acquainted with the impressive One New Zealand Stadium when they have their captain’s run there followed by a members’ signing session.
Throughout the pop-up store will be open counting down to a huge game day on Sunday when the Warriors’ NRLW, New South Wales Cup and NRL teams will head the bill. See here for more.
