AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - APRIL 11: Tazuni the official mascot of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 poses with fans during the FIFA Women's World Cup 100 Days To Go launch event at Eden Park on April 11, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images for FIFA)

FIFAWWC Countdown: Day 34 - New Zealand Host Stadiums

In a pioneering move, Australia and New Zealand are setting a precedent by co-hosting the FIFA Women's World Cup. This event will be spread across an unprecedented 10 stadium venues, stretching from the sharp corners of Perth's Rectangular Stadium to Wellington's Regional Stadium. On Day 34 of Edge of the Crowd's 70-Day Countdown, we're poised to deliver comprehensive insights into the spectacular arenas that will serve as the stage for the spellbinding tournament on both sides of the Tasman.

Today, we take a look at the stadiums in New Zealand. Four stadia have been pegged to host fixtures in New Zealand, including the opening fixture between New Zealand and Norway at Eden Park, right through to one of the semi-finals of the FIFA Women's World Cup tournament at the same venue.

Eden Park

OPENED: 1900

CAPACITY: 40,536

TOTAL FIXTURES: 9

The iconic Eden Park will host the competition's opening game as New Zealand take on Norway. It will host a further four group stage matches, including two featuring the USA, and three knock-out phase matches - more than any other location in New Zealand.

Arguably the most recognised sports cathedral in the country, is well-accustomed to hosting apex events. Its hallowed turf has seen the spectacle of the 1987 and 2011 Men’s Rugby World Cup finals, the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup final, numerous Test cricket matches, and Cricket World Cup contests in 1992 and 2015.

The venue is historically kind to the home side. New Zealand has never lost a Final at the venue and the nation's Test cricket side last tasted defeat at the venue almost 30 years ago. The home fans will be hoping for more of the same when they host a strong Norweigan side in the opening fixture of this year's FIFA Women's World Cup competition.

Dunedin Stadium

OPENED: 2011

CAPACITY: 24,243

TOTAL FIXTURES: 6

Dunedin Stadium is another stadium that is no stranger to FIFA international competition having hosted a host of matches at the 2015 FIFA Under 20 World Cup in 2015. 

It will host matches from the second day of this year's competition when Switzerland take on tournament debutants in The Philippines. The stadium will also host the White Ferns' final group stage fixture when they take on the Swiss on matchday three. It will also host the all-European Group E fixture between The Netherlands and Portugal, and the cross-continental Group G match between South America's Argentina and the Banyana Banyana of South Africa. And that is just half of the six matches the venue is slated to host.

Nestled alongside the serene Otago Harbour, Dunedin Stadium, fondly nicknamed 'The Glasshouse', has a capacity close to 25,000. It promises to be a pulsating hub of energy and enthusiasm during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

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Wellington Regional Stadium

OPENED: 2000

CAPACITY: 31,089

TOTAL FIXTURES: 9

The Wellington Regional Stadium, considered the hallowed ground of New Zealand soccer, is set to witness an astounding nine matches - the equal highest number for any venue in the country. The home crowd will be a thunderous chorus of support as the beloved New Zealand square off against The Philippines.

Highlights of the tournament include a dramatic replay of the 2019 Women's World Cup Final, featuring the stellar USA and The Netherlands. On another occasion, local spectators will also have the privilege of watching the high-calibre Sweden clash with South Africa in a tantalising group-stage match.

The Wellington venue is also privileged to host a duo of knockout stage matches, including a thrilling Round of 16 encounter and a high-stakes quarter-final showdown.

Waikato Stadium

OPENED: 2002

CAPACITY: 16,271

TOTAL FIXTURES: 5

Hamilton's Waikato Stadium will host five fixtures at this year's FIFA Women's World Cup. World Cup fever came to Hamilton slightly earlier than anywhere else in New Zealand as it hosted the two inter-confederation playoffs that decided the final two countries to appear at the tournament.

It is no stranger to international competition, having held a total of 14 matches across the FIFA Under 15s and Uner 17s World Cup in 2008 and 2015 respectively, as well as hosting three matches at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Highlight fixtures to be held at Waikato Stadium include Zambia’s World Cup bow against Japan and a mouthwatering clash between Switzerland and Norway.

Tomorrow, we will take a look at the six venues that will be the home of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia.

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