Rotorua International Stadium
| "The Hangi Pit" | |
| Location | Devon Street West, Rotorua, New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 38°9′21″S 176°13′27″E / 38.15583°S 176.22417°ECoordinates: 38°9′21″S 176°13′27″E / 38.15583°S 176.22417°E |
| Capacity |
Rugby: 26,000 Concerts: 30,000 |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1911 |
| Tenants | |
|
Bay of Plenty Rugby Union Rotorua United Chiefs |
|
Rotorua International Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located on Devon Street West in the Westbrook suburb of Rotorua, New Zealand. It is currently used mostly for rugby union and rugby league matches, being one of two home stadiums for the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union (the other being Baypark Stadium in Tauranga).
In addition, a softball field is sited at the northern end.
The stadium has a capacity of 26,000 people. The stadium was originally built in 1911, and renovated several times since. The stadium features a covered stand seating up to 4,000 with a concrete seating area on the western side of the field.
The Rotorua International Stadium has held many events in its time including acts from New Zealand Opera singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa to UB40, the Raggamuffin Music Festival. In rugby union the stadium has been used for the 1987 Rugby World Cup 3rd/4th playoff, Test matches and British and Irish Lions tours matches. To many it is considered the rightful home of Bay of Plenty rugby, despite the recent majority of home matches being scheduled in Tauranga.
Rotorua International Stadium has hosted three rugby league Test matches. The first, held on 16 July 1989 saw the Wally Lewis led Australians defeat New Zealand 8-0 in front of 26,000 fans. The second Test was held seven years later when New Zealand defeated Papua New Guinea 62-8 in front of only 4,800 fans on 5 October 1996. The last rugby league international held at the venue as of 2014 was when the Kiwis defeated the PNG Kumuls 76-12 in front of 6,000 fans. That match was played as part of the 2010 Rugby League Four Nations tournament.
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