New Look Eden Park to Open 10-10-10

Auckland’s new look Eden Park, which has just undergone a three-year, multi-million dollar upgrade for the Rugby World Cup 2011, will open its gates on 10 October 2010 (10-10-10).

The special open day will allow members of the public to inspect the redevelopment first-hand and get a ‘behind-the-scenes’ look at what will be New Zealand’s main venue for the Rugby World Cup next year.

Seating capacity has been increased to 60,000 and as well as the finals, the stadium will host the RWC opening and closing ceremonies.

Prime Minister John Key will officially open the revamped stadium as part of the Sunday, 10 October open day and all proceeds from the gold-coin donation entry fee will go to the Christchurch Earthquake fund.

On the Open Day, the public will have access to players’ changing rooms, coaches’ boxes, the main control room and the media centre - as well as the new stands and internal concourse.

Eden Park Upgrade

The major upgrade of Eden Park has included a new six-level, 21,500-seat South Stand, a new three-tier east stand and an increased area of covered seating.

An internal concourse has been developed to improve crowd flow and there have been extensive improvements to food and beverage outlets, toilets, corporate areas, team and media facilities.

Changes to Eden Park have also included new goal posts and the old ones have been put up for auction to help raise money for Christchurch earthquake victims.

The famous 18-metre steel posts, which weigh 700kgs each, are now listed on Trade Me. They have seen plenty of action in the past 20 years - including the first ever Rugby World Cup held at Eden Park in 1987.

"If these goalposts could talk, they'd certainly tell a great story," said David Kennedy, Eden Park Trust Chief Executive. "From being there during Michael Jones' diving try in the '87 World Cup final, to the drama and controversy of the final Test against the Springboks in 1981, the goalposts have stood through some momentous events for Eden Park."

The Trade Me auction is due to close at 20:00 on Sunday, 3 October 2010.

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