Extra bus services, entertainment in the Fanzone and a Community Day of family fun – it’s all lined up for Sunday, when Hamilton hosts its last Rugby World Cup 2011 match. Wales tackle Fiji in the last Pool D match at Waikato Stadium at 6pm, and about 2,500 tickets for the match are still available. Patrons attending the match are again being urged to use the Rugby Shuttles running from the CBD t... more...

  Manu Samoa’s upset victory over Australia’s Wallabies has heightened the importance of one of the three Rugby World Cup 2011 matches to be held in Hamilton.   Manu Samoa defeated the Wallabies 32-23 at ANZ Stadium on Sunday to record an historic win, setting up a titanic match against old foes Wales at Waikato Stadium on 18 September.   The match looms as one of the importan... more...

Hot demand for tickets to Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011) matches in Hamilton has seen an extra 1100 temporary seats approved for Waikato Stadium, resulting in the highest capacity crowds there since the stadium was redeveloped in 2002. RWC 2011 ticket sales have been exceptionally strong in Hamilton. 88% of the 56,000 tickets available in the public pool had already been sold when Waikato Stadiu... more...

Hamilton City Council has set up a negotiating team to resolve the outstanding debt issue with the Waikato Rugby Union (WRU). The team comprises of Mayor Julie Hardaker, Councillor Peter Bos, Acting General Manager of Community Services Lance Vervoort, Events Facilities Manager Mark Christie, and a legal representative. The WRU currently owe Council $953,000 in arrears for rent at Waikato St... more...

Football fans will be in for a special treat this Saturday 10 July when they get an opportunity to get up close and personal to the All Whites stars and full Phoenix line-up in Garden Place at 9. 45am, ahead of a 2pm pre-season match against Brisbane Roar at Waikato Stadium. The Waikato Stadium game occurs on the same weekend as the World Cup Final will take place in South Africa. Adding local fl... more...

Do you want to be part of the Rugby World Cup 2011 action? Rugby World Cup organisers are calling for volunteers for this sporting spectacular in New Zealand next year. Those wanting to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity are invited attend a volunteer roadshow at Waikato Stadium next Wednesday [30 June]. Two forums will be held in Waikato Stadium’s Radio Sport Room on Wednesday at 12. 30... more...

Old Boy Warren Gatland will return to his Hamilton school with the Wales rugby team before they take on the All Blacks at Waikato Stadium next weekend. The public are invited to attend the Welsh team’s open training session at Hamilton Boys’ High School, 10. 30am, on Wednesday 23 June. Wales arrives from Dunedin on Sunday and spends all of next week here ahead of the third and final game in the ... more...

Top club football side Wellington Phoenix will play a pre-season game at Waikato Stadium at 2pm, Saturday, July 10. The match, against Brisbane Roar, is on the same weekend as the World Cup final in South Africa, and at a time of unprecedented interest in the sport in New Zealand. It is the first time Phoenix have played in the city and a rare appearance outside the capital where the side enjo... more...

Hamilton will host the All Blacks for a week during the Rugby World Cup 2011. The All Blacks will stay and train in Hamilton, and the rest of the time will be hosted by Auckland and Wellington. The city was a big winner from the host city announcement, made in Auckland today. Hamilton will also host four other teams - Wales, Fiji, Samoa and an Asian qualifier. Mayor Bob Simcock said of the... more...

Hamilton City Council is to build a new rugby training ground at Beetham Park, near Waikato Stadium. The facility will include a full-sized field, goalposts, lighting, changing sheds, and toilets. Tenders are currently being invited for construction, with the intention of a contractor beginning work on 1 November, 2009. The new Waikato Stadium Training Ground, costing $1,813,000, will be read... more...

Hamilton Mayor Bob Simcock says the city's ability to secure the David Tua versus Shane Cameron boxing contest cements Hamilton's reputation as an events destination. "We are delighted to have reached terms with the promoters. We believe our sponsorship arrangement is prudent while offering significant promotional and economic benefits for the city," says Mayor Simcock. The event will be held at... more...

Hamilton City Council will be coordinating a city collection for the victims of the Victorian Bushfire disaster at tomorrow night’s pre-season NRL game between the Vodafone Warriors and Melbourne Storm at Waikato Stadium. All proceeds will go to the Australian Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal. The fires witnessed in Victoria this week are still raging and represent Australia’s greatest natural... more...

Waikato Stadium is set to showcase as many as nine of New Zealand's World Cup-winning players plus head coach Stephen Kearney when the Vodafone Warriors and the Melbourne Storm clash in a National Rugby League preseason trial in Hamilton on February 12 next year. Hamilton City Council today announced it had secured the trial just days after the Kiwis won the World Cup for the first time by stunn... more...

when the Pirtek Parramatta Eels face off against the Vodafone Warriors this Saturday [18 March] as a specially-tailored entertainment package delivers a strong latin flavour. Council's event facilities manager Mark Christie says crowds will be treated to the thrills and spills of league action seasoned with the sultry swing and samba of latin entertainment. 'Crowds come for an... more...

Westpac Park's redevelopment continues at pace with the top surface of the outfield scrapped off, drainage laid, and work on the block completed. Stadiums management board chair Peter Bos says it's exciting to see the progress. "Council knew there was a drainage issue to overcome when it took over management of the park in 2001. We planned to address it immediately after the 2003/04 cricket ... more...

Waikato Stadium's seats are sold out for the pre-season clash between the Vodafone Warriors and St George Illawarra Dragons, with only the Greenzone left to fill. Stadiums manager Mark Christie says this is a wonderful showing of support for the Vodafone Warriors and for the stadium's bid to see the team back here in the future. "I am delighted with the region's response to the Vodafone Warr... more...

A carved Maori gateway installed at Waikato Stadium will be unveiled at a special ceremony on 3 February. The gateway is a tribute to the former Whatanoa Pa and burial site that was located partly on the ground which is now occupied by Waikato Stadium. The gateway is nearly 10 metres tall and is positioned at the top of the steps inside Gate One off Tristram Street. It is painted in Waikato ... more...

Tickets are now available for the Vodafone Warriors versus the St George Illawarra Dragons match on Thursday 5 February at the Waikato Stadium. Stadiums management board chair Peter Bos says ticket prices are low to encourage a great crowd and show the Vodafone Warriors the kind of support they can expect if they returned. "General admission has been kept to $15 in the Brian Perry Stand, $10... more...

Waikato Stadium has secured a classic league match-up with the Vodafone Warriors taking on the St George Illawarra Dragons on Thursday, 5 February next year. Waikato Stadium and Westpac Park Management Board Chair Peter Bos says the game is the stadium's foot in the door for rugby league. "We certainly hope that this is a significant step toward more rugby league fixtures at Waikato Stadium. ... more...

The grounds of Waikato's twin stadiums will soon be in the care of one of New Zealand Cricket's top turf managers. Stadiums management committee chair Peter Bos says he is excited Karl Johnson has decided to bring to Hamilton his years of experience at the top level. "Karl is one of the best, and I am just really excited to have a guy of his calibre head the turf team here in Hamilton. H... more...

Waikato Rugby Union and Hamilton City Council have reached agreement on a $100,000 rent increase for Waikato Stadium. Currently the WRU pays $498,000 a year for use of the stadium plus any event costs associated with match days. The new agreement will see the WRU moving to a yearly rental of $600,000 plus event costs. The new rental will be linked to Consumer Price Index movements. Ch... more...

The annual report on the operation of Waikato Stadium and Westpac Park has shown high public satisfaction and the significant contribution being made by the facilities to the local economy. The report has been received by Council's Stadium Management Board. The report says that in the last financial year, ending June 2003, wages paid to staff employed to manage events, and to provide cat... more...

Waikato Stadium is celebrating its first year of operation, and reflecting on a well-earned reputation that has made it highly sought after for a range of events and functions and seen about 300,000 people pass through its gates. Waikato Stadium and Westpac Park management board chair Peter Bos is delighted with the stadium's first year. "We have a great foundation for growing our events... more...

Waikato Stadium is to host its first concert when Summer Jam comes to town on Saturday, 15 March. Stadiums manager Mark Christie says this is a good chance to showcase the stadium's great amphitheatre atmosphere and will likely lead to more concerts. "This is an exciting opportunity to continue to grow the stadium's reputation nationally as an event venue. Last year we set up at Wespac Park, b... more...

Hamilton City Council's Stadium Working Party has confirmed the total amount that Council has contributed to the Waikato Stadium project as $18. 5 million. The final figures have been presented to a special meeting of the Working Party. ... more...

The Football Kingz have selected Waikato Stadium to host one of their Australian National Soccer League games. Stadiums manager Mark Christie says the match against the Melbourne Knights on 1 November is a special occasion for the stadium and the club. "While the stadium has hosted a number of soccer games already, this is the first at a professional level. It is also the first time the Kingz ha... more...

Family fun is guaranteed at the Waikato Stadium Public Open Day [21 July] due to the wide range of entertainers and acts booked to display the facility's versatility and value to the community, stadiums manager Mark Christie says. "Waikato Stadium can cater to a wide range of events and activities, and we have arranged about 25 local acts from the Morrinsville Country Club to martial arts display... more...

Waikato Stadium's official open day, a great opportunity to look behind the scenes and discover how the stadium is operated, has been organised for 21 July. Stadiums manager Mark Christie says the Waikato Stadium and WestpacTrust Park Management Committee has organised the public open day as a way to further involve the community in celebrating the facility. "Now that the stadium has run a few m... more...

Hamilton Mayor, David Braithwaite is calling for the city to 'black out' in support of the All Blacks who have their first test of the season against Italy at the Waikato Stadium on Saturday. Mr Braithwaite says this is a big international event for Council's new venue and it would be fantastic if the city could get behind the occasion as the eyes of the world turn our way. "It's time for Hamilt... more...

Hamilton Mayor, David Braithwaite extends his welcome to the Italian National Rugby Team, here to play the All Blacks at the Waikato Stadium on Saturday, 8 June. "It is a privilege to host the Italians and I hope the team has an enjoyable stay in Hamilton. I look forward to some top-class rugby on Saturday and wish them all the best against the All Blacks. "I also want to thank the people of Ham... more...

Waikato Stadium is now officially in the hands of Hamilton City Council following the completion of the construction contract, known legally as 'practical completion'. Chairperson of the Waikato Stadium Management Committee, Councillor Peter Bos, says the handover of the stadium to Council is a great day for the city. "This has been a long time coming since the idea of a stadium for Hamilton and... more...

Hamilton City Council today decided to take over the completion of Waikato Stadium project from the Stadium Trust and to take responsibility for any funding shortfall. The first job for Council will be to fund progress payments of $3 million which is the amount currently owed to Holman's Construction and others involved in building the stadium.   The payments will see work proceed on t... more...

Waikato Stadium is already being prepared for its next big event, The Edge Summer Jam just a week after the stadium's first major event last Friday. Waikato Stadium and WestpacTrust Park management committee chairman Peter Bos says Summer Jam - a music festival for young people - reflects the stadium's value as a community asset. "The stadium is a versatile facility and can cater to lots of ... more...

What:                            Blessing of Waikato Stadium Where:                          Gate 1, Waikato Stadium When:  ... more...

Hamilton City Council has this afternoon signed off the Waikato Stadium's compliance with health and safety regulations in time for the first event at the new venue on Friday night.   Council carried out the final inspection at 1pm today along with representatives from the Fire Service and Holmans Construction the builders of the stadium. Hamilton City Council General Manager of Environmenta... more...

Hamilton City Council has established the Waikato Stadium website and 0800 information line a month before it takes over management of the facility. Stadiums manager Mark Christie says the website and information line are to cater for the huge public interest in the stadium and attract events to the city. "The website in particular has a lot of detailed information that will suit general public ... more...

Waikato Stadium was home to a Chiefs training for the first time this afternoon with the high-tech Loksand turf getting its first rugby work out. The Chiefs forwards put down several scrums to test the surface, which came through virtually unscathed. Players and coaching staff were highly impressed with the pitch and the new stadium facilities. The grass surface was in perfect condition in spi... more...

Waikato Stadium's more than 20,000 plastic seats are now being installed. Council's stadiums manager, Mark Christie, who will operate the facility when it is handed over at its completion, says the seats are extremely comfortable and should add a lot of colour. "They are a terracotta colour, so should stand out, but the design was the most important aspect. The seat chosen is a very comfortable mo... more...

Hamilton City Council's stadiums manager, Mark Christie, says the stadium will create 270 casual part time positions for locals for capacity events at the Waikato Stadium.   He says this has huge benefits for those in the Waikato keen on being part of the hospitality and eventing industry. Of the 270 staff, 120 will be for catering services, including cooks, waiters and bar staff, while 150 wil... more...

WHAT: SEEDING MACHINE BEING CRANED ON TO WAIKATO STADIUM PITCHWHERE: WAIKATO STADIUMFescue is the latest grass variety to be sown at Waikato Stadium as the next stage in preparing what will be New Zealand's best sports surface. Hamilton City Council's stadiums manager Mark Christie says the pitch preparation has gone extremely well so far and its unique qualities will give Waikato Stadium a distin... more...

The Waikato Stadiums Management Committee has released the logo that will be used to brand the redevelopment once construction is complete and Hamilton City Council's Mark Christie steps in to manage the facility as well as the upgraded WestpacTrust Park. Committee chairman and city councillor Peter Bos is delighted with the logo that has a stylised version of the new stand's roof as one of it's s... more...