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Eden Park is New Zealand's largest stadium. Our rich sporting and social history, and our international profile, is unmatched by any other stadium in the country.
Eden Park has been in existence as a sports ground since 1900. It began its life as a swamp, but by 1914 the ground was drained and turned into two ovals.
The Park became the home of Auckland Cricket in 1910. The Auckland Rugby Union leased the Park in 1914, officially making Eden Park its home in 1925.
In 1926 a Trust was set up that provided for a group of Trustees to manage Eden Park primarily for the benefit of Auckland Cricket and Auckland Rugby. The Trust still manages the Park today.
During the past 107 years Eden Park has hosted many memorable sporting moments including:
Cricket
- 1914: First international between Auckland and Australia
- 1952: Beginning of test matches at Eden Park
- 1955: New Zealand dismissed for 26 in the lowest score in test history
- 1957: New Zealand Cricket's first ever series win against the West Indies
- 1992: Jointly hosted the Cricket World Cup with Australia
- 2005: First international Twenty20 match against Australia
Rugby
- 1921: First international rugby game between NZ and South Africa in which the Springboks won 5-9
- 1930: First Lions Tour to Eden Park attended by 45,000
- 1931: First Bledisloe Cup game between NZ and Australia, NZ won 20-13
- 1937: Springbok Tour attended by over 50,000
- 1950: Lions Tour
- 1956: NZ defeated the all conquering Springboks for a series clinching win – this tour still holds the record for attendance at Eden Park, 65,000!
- 1959: Lions Tour
- 1963: Springbok Tour
- 1965: Springbok Tour
- 1966: Lions Tour
- 1971: Lions Tour
- 1981: The now infamous Springbok Tour, when the match was flour-bombed by a Cessna
- 1987: Hosted the final of the inaugural Rugby World Cup in which NZ defeated France 29-9
- 1993: Super10 arrives at Eden Park, first game Auckland v Samoa
- 1994: Springbok Tour
- 1996: Hosted inaugural Super12 semi-final and final (Auckland v Natal, AKL won)
- 1997: Hosted Super12 semi-final and final (Auckland v ACT, AKL won)
- 1988: Rugby League World Cup final
- 2001: Springbok Tour
- 2005: Lions Tour
Other significant events that have occurred at the Park include:
- 1935: NZ v India hockey
- 1947: Auckland Schools' Champion of Champions
- 1950: British Empire (now Commonwealth) Games
- 1957: NZ v Austria soccer
- 1961-63: Agfa International Athletic Meetings
- 1962: NZ Secondary School athletics
- 1963: International Athletics Sports Meeting
- 1964: NZ v India hockey
- 1966: Visit by the Queen Mother
- 1970: The public welcome to the Royal Family
- 1974: Russian Olympic Gymnastic display
- 1983: Visit by the Prince and Princess of Wales
- 1988: Rugby League World Cup final
- International soccer (Olympic qualifying series) featuring Australia, NZ, Israel and Taiwan
- 2002: Visit by the Dalai Lama
Developments at the Park
- 1903: Eden Cricket Club bought 15 acres
- 1909: Ground sold to the Auckland Cricket Association
- 1913: Construction of the No.1 Stand commenced
- 1914: No.1 Stand opened and No.2 Stand opened in the south-west corner of the ground
- 1957: No.1 Stand transferred to Papakura Sports Ground
- 1959: New South Stand opened
- 1963: North Stand opened
- 1991: No.2 Stand relocated to No.2 oval
- 1997: North Stand demolished
- 1999: ASB Stand (replacement North Stand) opened
- 2002: Hall of Legends opens for tours
- historic cricket block on No.1 oval removed and replaced
- portable pitch system introduced
- nursery established on No. 2 ground
- 2003: Reconstruction of the all-weather playing surface on the No.1 ground completed
- TV broadcast facilities opened on Level 5 of South Stand
- dedicated cricket commentator facility opened on Level 5 of ASB Stand
- Eden Park established a remote site for a turf farm for replacement turf stocks
- 2005: World-class media centre opened on top level of South Stand
- Eden Park awarded 2011 RWC hosting rights
- 2006: 24 enclosed cricket practice strips opened on No. 2 ground
- Removed four residential dwellings owned by the EPTB in north-east corner to improve food and beverage services for the Panasonic Stand and to improve access to the Terraces
- 2007: Eden Park confirmed as finals venue for RWC 2011
- Government committed $190m to the redevelopment of Eden Park
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