Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland will light up this weekend in support of the One New Zealand Warriors ahead of their sold-out NRL semi-final against the Newcastle Knights at Eden Park on Sunday.
Over the course of the weekend, landmarks across Auckland will light up in the Warriors’ colours to celebrate the home team as accommodation and hospitality providers prepare to cater for a record rugby league crowd.
The Vector Lights on Auckland Harbour Bridge, Sky Tower, New Zealand Maritime Museum, Westfield Newmarket, PwC building and Viaduct Seawall will all light up in One New Zealand Warriors’ blue, red and green.
The expected capacity crowd of over 48,000 will be the largest the city has ever hosted for a Warriors home match (or for any rugby league game played anywhere in New Zealand).
“We’re so humbled seeing the outpouring of love and support for the team and for the club,” said One New Zealand Warriors CEO Cameron George.
Match: Warriors v Knights
Finals Week 2 -
home Team
Warriors
2nd Position
away Team
Knights
7th Position
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
“Its exciting for us and for all supporters knowing the city is going to turn it on in a big way for what’s going to be such a huge day not just for the club and the fans but for the whole of New Zealand.”
Sunday’s game is expected to attract visitors from all over Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond, with Australian fans also set to cross the ditch to support visiting the team Newcastle.
“The Warriors have been on a hell of a run this year and now the whole city – maybe even the whole country – are behind them,” said Auckland mayor Wayne Brown.
“The city is electric with excitement over this weekend’s match and with City Rail Link now open and fully operational, transport to the match from the city should be seamless.
“It’s a big challenge but I do not doubt that Auckland will stay connected in supporting the Warriors this weekend. Up the Wahs!”
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited chief executive Nick Hill added: “Two weekends in a row of NRL finals footy is fantastic for Tāmaki Makaurau and proof that Auckland is ready to host the big occasion.
“After a great home season at Go Media Stadium, shifting this game to Eden Park is an example of the stadium network working as it should - giving major events the capacity to grow when demand is there.
“Major sporting occasions like this are great for Auckland. They bring people into the city, support our accommodation and hospitality businesses, create energy and give Aucklanders another reason to feel proud of where they live.
“With the CRL now open and public transport included with match tickets on Sunday, we expect to see a huge uptake from Warriors fans travelling from all over the city before gathering in Kingsland for the match. Auckland will be buzzing with ‘Wahs fever’.”
After 10 sold-out matches in a row at their home ground Go Media Stadium this season, the One New Zealand Warriors will play in front of a sold-out crowd of more than 48,000 on Sunday.
Fans can enjoy free travel on trains and buses to Eden Park with their match ticket. Free travel begins from 1.00pm on Sunday, with match-goers encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the atmosphere and activations, including a Fan Zone at the stadium’s Outer Oval.
Warriors-branded flags already adorn streets in Ponsonby and Kingsland as the popular hospitality hotspots ready themselves for waves of Warriors faithful.
