North Harbour Stadium, North Shore

North Harbour Stadium, the home ground for the North Harbour rugby union in the Air New Zealand Cup. The stadium is located in Albany in North Shore City in New Zealand. It was opened in 1997 after nearly a decade of discussion, planning and construction. Rugby union, Rugby League and football are the only sports played on the main ground, as it is rectangular in shape. The neighbouring oval plays host to the region's major cricket matches. The stadium also hosts large open air concerts.

The stadium typically hosts one Auckland Blues home game in the Super 14 annually and has played host to several rugby union and rugby league internationals. The New Zealand Warriors NRL team occasionally play warm-up matches at the ground. The stadium also played host to the FIFA Under-17 Women's Football World Cup in 2008.For RWC 2011 it will host 4 pool games, 10 Sep France v Japan, 11 Sep Australia v Italy, 22 Sep South Africa v Namibia and 30 Sep South Africa v Samoa.

North Harbour Stadium has an official capacity of 25,000. This is made up of four seating areas, the main grandstand on the southern side which seats 12,000 and contains corporate facilities, an uncovered stand opposite which seats 7,000 and grass embankments at either end which each seat 3,000. The stadium is also equiped for night match's as it is lit by four 45m light towers. North Shore is very near to Auckland New Zealands largets city, making it a great venue for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Directions to North Harbour Stadium, North Shore:

North Harbour Stadium

The stadium is between Coliseum Drive, Albany expressway, Don McKinnon Drive and Oteha Valley Road, Albany, North Shore City, Auckland New Zealand

Car

From the Northern Motorway, the nominated driver should take the Oteha Valley Road exit. Then follow signs for parking.

Bus

Platform D1, Britomart Bus Station Every 15mins

Albany Park n Ride, Shuttle from 1 hour before Kick off. For more information on the Park n Ride click on this link: Northern-Busway