Stadium Taranaki: A Legendary Venue
Central New Plymouth’s Stadium Taranaki has been rated one of the world's best Rugby grounds.
In May 2009, New Zealand Rugby World magazine judged the stadium the third best place to watch a game of Rugby in the world, coming in behind Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium in second place and Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium in first. No other New Zealand Rugby stadium made the list.
The publication focused on Stadium Taranaki’s ‘“distinctly Kiwi” atmosphere and importance as the region’s spiritual home of Rugby, with the iconic shape of picture-perfect Mount Taranaki visible in the background.
“Then there is the ground itself. It is tight,” says Editor Gregor Paul.
“The two stands are close to the pitch and you feel you are almost on top of the action. The players know you are there and it is shared, intense experience. It helps immeasurably that the locals have a great knowledge of the game and are vocal in their support.”
Paul says that in compiling the list he considered the entire package of the Rugby experience at every venue - the city the stadium is in, ease of transport to the stadium, the facilities and the atmosphere.
A major upgrade of the Stadium for Rugby World Cup 2011 was given a test run when New Zealand took on Ireland on 12 June 2011.
Stadium Conditions of Entry
There are a number of changes to the usual Conditions of Entry for the RWC 2011 matches. Read the full list of conditions below, as well as the list of prohibited items.
It is worth noting that the prohibited items list includes:
- Push chairs and baby strollers
- Umbrellas
- Vuvuselas
- Car parts
- Furniture
