A hobbit village, the world's clearest lake, erupting geysers, geothermal springs and unique caves are just some of New Zealand's attractions that have attracted tourists from all over the world to the islands. Fans have also been drawn to this beautiful destination by the world's best female footballers, and New Zealand has prepared its three stadiums for the World Cup.

Dunedin Stadium

It is sometimes referred to as a greenhouse because of its unique construction. The stadium in Dunedin is the first sports venue in the world to have completely covered stands and a pitch on one side and a natural grass pitch on the other. To ensure that the grass develops properly, the entire architecture of the facility was adapted to its needs. The structure has a light-transparent covering, and the stands and roof have been positioned at an angle to ensure the best possible access of light. Behind the gates, the stands are temporary, set up only for large events. During the breaks, the free space allows natural ventilation, as the facade of the facility is only at a height of 5 metres, below which there is space for air circulation. The canopy collects rainwater, which then irrigates the pitch.

The innovative design is the work of Populous, and the sum of almost NZ$200 million was put up by the Dunedin City Council, with the help of the government, regional authorities, the university and the private sector. The first major event at the facility was the Rugby World Cup in 2011. On a day-to-day basis, the stadium is used by Otago rugby union, the Highlanders team of the same sport, and Otago United football. Concerts and other major events are also built into the operation of the arena.

The stunning Dunedin Stadium, which staged matches at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2015, hosted six group games at Australia & New Zealand 2023 Women's World Cup. Fans really enjoyed the unique experience at the stadium. However, there is also a growing interest in gambling in the country. The constant strive of New Zealand players to gamble with quality and safety promotes wrapping up the best insights in one spot. Zodiac Casino is a thriving online casino that has so much to offer - it has a brilliant choice of games, including table games, video poker, and pokies.

© www.forsythbarrstadium.co.nz

Eden Park

The stadium has been used as a cricket arena since as early as 1903, and since 1913 the local cricket and rugby federations have jointly managed the stadium through a trust established for this purpose. For both sports, the stadium has hosted more prestigious events than any other in New Zealand, including the World Cup.

What about football? Not much, as the New Zealand national team has visited here literally a few times in history (single matches in 1947, 1957, 1988), always suffering defeats. The Wellington Phoenix football team also hosted a couple of matches here, but never managed to fill even half the stands. Auckland’s Eden Park hosted New Zealand against Norway in the opening game of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, as well as five other group matches and three knockout ties.

© Tai Ha (cc: by-nc-sa)

Waikato Stadium

Located a short walk from Hamilton’s city centre, Waikato Stadium has a rich history that spans 100 years and is an impressive international sports stadium with a full capacity of 25000 people. The redevelopment of Waikato Stadium was completed in 2002 and continues to build on the proud history of the grounds it stands on by hosting a range of top-quality sports fixtures and events each year.

Māori culture and practices play an important role at Waikato Stadium. The stadium has a unique history that it is sited on the grounds of the ancient Ngāti Wairere Pa and burial grounds. The stadium features the carved Whatanoa Gateway (waharoa) to commemorate the ancient traditions and landmarks of the Waikato Tainui tribe and links the past with the future. Five group matches headed to Hamilton's Waikato stadium during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Australia & New Zealand, kicking off with the Group C battle between Zambia and 2011 champions Japan.

© Hamilton City Council