Biggest Cricket Stadiums in New Zealand

By Arjit - January 13, 2021 - Last updated on Jan 11, 2022 08:04 PM Biggest Cricket Stadiums in New Zealand

Biggest Cricket Stadiums in New Zealand

The following is a list of stadiums in New Zealand, ordered by capacity. Currently, all stadiums with a capacity of at least 11,600 are included. It is actually difficult to account for accuracy here as many grounds use temporary stands, there is much use of standing only embankments and not often are grounds full to enable gauging accuracy. We can only rely on what is stated publicly. Also, some grounds add extra capacity on rare occasions for major matches i.e. Waikato can add 5,000 over a closed-off bordering road. Yarrow has had to close its stands due to earthquake risks. QBE is to get a refurbished reduction. Owen Delany is in a rural area and gets rare serious games. Trafalgar was expanded once to 20,000 for a one of a test match. And Christchurch is about to be replaced with an identical ground to Dunedin - which is New Zealands only covered outdoor stadium

List of Cricket stadiums in the New Zealand by capacity

Rank Stadium Capacity Location
1 Eden Park 50,000 Auckland
2 Sky Stadium 37,000 Wellington
3 AMI Stadium 36,500 Christchurch
4 Seddon Park 30,000 Hamilton
5 Carisbrook 29000 Dunedin
6 McLean Park 22,500 Napier
7 Hagley Oval 20,000 Christchurch
8 Queenstown Events Centre 19,000 Queenstown
9 Owen Delany Park 15,000 Taupo
10 Basin Reserve 11,600 Wellington

1) Eden Park, Auckland

Eden Park is the largest stadium in New Zealand. Home to Auckland cricket since 1910, Eden Park also doubles up as a prominent rugby venue during winter. It became the first venue to host two Rugby World Cup finals in 2011, having held the inaugural final in 1987.

It may be recalled that New Zealand tasted their first Test success at Eden Park against West Indies in 1955-56. Looking through the other end of the spectrum, it also played host when New Zealand crashed to their lowest total in Test cricket - against England in 1955.

Interestingly Eden Park, which is located in the suburb of Kingsland less than 3km from the CBD, has also been the stage for hockey. British royalty and Dalai Lama. It will be the scene of one of the semi-finals in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.

biggest

FACTS

Opened 1900
Capacity 50,000
Known as Eden Park
Ends Broadcasting End, Terraces End
Location Auckland, New Zealand
Time Zone UTC +13:00
Home to Auckland
Other Sports it is home to Rugby
Floodlights Yes
Curator Mark Perham

STATS - TEST

Total matches 50
Matches won batting first 13
Matches won bowling first 13
Average 1st Inns scores 318
Average 2nd Inns scores 306
Average 3rd Inns scores 228
Average 4th Inns scores 153
Highest total recorded 621/5 (200.1 Ov) by RSA vs NZ
Lowest total recorded 26/10 (27 Ov) by NZ vs ENG

STATS - ODI

Total matches 77
Matches won batting first 30
Matches won bowling first 42
Average 1st Inns scores 219
Average 2nd Inns scores 194
Highest total recorded 340/5 (48.4 Ov) by NZ vs AUS
Lowest total recorded 73/10 (26.3 Ov) by NZ vs SL
Highest score chased 340/5 (48.4 Ov) by NZ vs AUS
Lowest score defended 153/10 (39.5 Ov) by NZ vs ENG

STATS - T20

Total matches 24
Matches won batting first 9
Matches won bowling first 12
Average 1st Inns scores 168
Average 2nd Inns scores 152
Highest total recorded 245/5 (18.5 Ov) by AUS vs NZ
Lowest total recorded 107/10 (14.5 Ov) by NZ vs RSA
Highest score chased 245/5 (18.5 Ov) by AUS vs NZ
Lowest score defended 165/7 (20 Ov) by RSA vs NZ

2) Sky Stadium, Wellington

Wellington Regional Stadium (known commercially as Sky Stadium through naming rights is a major sporting venue in Wellington, New Zealand.

The stadium was built in 1999 by Fletcher Construction and is situated close to major transport facilities (such as Wellington railway station) one kilometre north of the CBD. It was built on reclaimed railway land, which was surplus to requirements.

The stadium also serves as a large-capacity venue for concerts and is known colloquially as "The Cake Tin".

biggest

FACTS

Opened 1999
Capacity 37,000 (With temporary seating)
Known as Sky Stadium
Dimensions 235m long, 185m wide
Ends Scoreboard End, City End
Location Wellington, New Zealand
Time Zone UTC +13:00
Home to Wellington and Wellington Firebirds
Other Sports it is home to Rugby (Wellington Hurricanes, Wellington Lions)
Floodlights Yes
Curator Brett Sipthorpe

STATS - ODI

Total matches 31
Matches won batting first 16
Matches won bowling first 13
Average 1st Inns scores 233
Average 2nd Inns scores 206
Highest total recorded 393/6 (50 Ov) by NZ vs WI
Lowest total recorded 89/10 (37.2 Ov) by ENG vs NZ
Highest score chased 312/1 (47.2 Ov) by SL vs ENG
Lowest score defended 234/10 (50 Ov) by ENG vs NZ

STATS - T20

Total matches 13
Matches won batting first 6
Matches won bowling first 7
Average 1st Inns scores 160
Average 2nd Inns scores 136
Highest total recorded 219/6 (20 Ov) by NZ vs IND
Lowest total recorded 101/10 (16.1 Ov) by PAK vs NZ
Highest score chased 163/6 (19 Ov) by NZ vs WI
Lowest score defended 165/8 (20 Ov) by IND vs NZ

3) AMI Stadium

Lancaster Park, previously known as Jade Stadium and AMI Stadium, was a sports stadium in Waltham, a suburb of Christchurch in New Zealand. The stadium was closed permanently due to damage sustained in the February 2011 earthquake and subsequently demolished in 2019.

The stadium had been the venue for various sports including rugby union, cricket, rugby league, association football, athletics and trotting. It had also hosted various non-sporting events including concerts by Pearl Jam in 2009, Bon Jovi in 2008, Roger Waters in 2007, Meat Loaf in 2004, U2 in 1989 & 1993, Tina Turner in 1993 and 1997, Dire Straits in 1986 and 1991, and Billy Joel in 1987. However the stadium was primarily a rugby and cricket ground and was the home of the Crusaders rugby union team, who compete in Super Rugby. Its capacity was 38,628.

biggest

FACTS

Opened 1882
Capacity 36,500
Known as Lancaster Park, Jade Stadium (1998-2007)
Ends Hadlee Stand End, Port Hills End
Location Christchurch, New Zealand
Time Zone UTC +13:00
Home to Canterbury
Other Sports it is home to Athletics, Davis Cup tennis, swimming, cycling and light harness racing
Floodlights Yes

STATS - TEST

Total matches 40
Matches won batting first 13
Matches won bowling first 11
Average 1st Inns scores 327
Average 2nd Inns scores 276
Average 3rd Inns scores 213
Average 4th Inns scores 155
Highest total recorded 580/9 (163 Ov) by ENG vs NZ
Lowest total recorded 65/10 (37.6 Ov) by NZ vs ENG

STATS - ODI

Total matches 48
Matches won batting first 23
Matches won bowling first 25
Average 1st Inns scores 230
Average 2nd Inns scores 206
Highest total recorded 392/4 (50 Ov) by IND vs NZ
Lowest total recorded 94/10 (25.2 Ov) by NZ vs AUS
Highest score chased 332/8 (49 Ov) by NZ vs AUS
Lowest score defended 187/9 (50 Ov) by AUS vs IND

STATS - T20

Total matches 4
Matches won batting first 2
Matches won bowling first 1
Average 1st Inns scores 188
Average 2nd Inns scores 150
Highest total recorded 214/6 (20 Ov) by NZ vs AUS
Lowest total recorded 80/10 (15.5 Ov) by NZ vs PAK
Highest score chased 166/3 (18.5 Ov) by NZ vs IND
Lowest score defended 193/8 (20 Ov) by ENG vs NZ

4) Seddon Park, Hamilton

Seddon Park is a cricket ground in Hamilton, New Zealand. It is the fourth-largest cricket ground in the country, and is renowned for its "village green" setting, affording a picnic atmosphere for spectators.

Seddon Park was named after Richard Seddon, the longest-serving Prime Minister of New Zealand. Hamilton Borough Council named it in July 1906 before it was developed. It was first used for a major cricket match in February 1914, when the touring Australians played a South Auckland XVIII in a two-day match.It has been in constant use since.

Due to sponsorship from Trust Bank and subsequently Westpac, the ground was known as Trust Bank Park from 1990 to 1997, as WestpacTrust Park from 1997 to 2003, and as Westpac Park from 2003 to 2006. It reverted to its original name in 2006, when Westpac decided to end its sponsorship of a number of sporting events and grounds in New Zealand.

Seddon Park was also used for the 1992 Cricket World Cup for one of the world cups matches and 2015 Cricket World Cup for three of the world cups matches.

Seddon Park is a round, well-grassed ground with a centre block of nine pitches, running approximately north to south. These pitches are usually very good for batting. There is an embankment going around three-quarters of the perimeter, with a tall hedgerow outside this embankment.

In addition to cricket, Seddon Park has been used for rugby union, rugby league and hockey matches. It therefore has a flexible stadium environment that can be modified according to sports events.

biggest

FACTS

Opened 1950
Capacity 10,000 with flexibility to 30 000
Known as Trust Bank Park; WestpacTrust Park;Westpac Park
Ends Members End, City End
Location Hamilton, New Zealand
Time Zone UTC +13:00
Home to Northern Districts
Other Sports it is home to Hockey, Rugby and Rugby League
Floodlights Yes
Curator Andy Brown

STATS - TEST

Total matches 27
Matches won batting first 9
Matches won bowling first 10
Average 1st Inns scores 312
Average 2nd Inns scores 328
Average 3rd Inns scores 234
Average 4th Inns scores 168
Highest total recorded 715/6 (163 Ov) by NZ vs BAN
Lowest total recorded 93/10 (43.3 Ov) by NZ vs PAK

STATS - ODI

Total matches 37
Matches won batting first 11
Matches won bowling first 24
Average 1st Inns scores 237
Average 2nd Inns scores 216
Highest total recorded 363/4 (50 Ov) by WI vs NZ
Lowest total recorded 92/10 (30.5 Ov) by IND vs NZ
Highest score chased 350/9 (49.3 Ov) by NZ vs AUS
Lowest score defended 182/9 (35 Ov) by NZ vs SL

STATS - T20

Total matches 14
Matches won batting first 6
Matches won bowling first 7
Average 1st Inns scores 168
Average 2nd Inns scores 159
Highest total recorded 212/4 (20 Ov) by NZ vs IND
Lowest total recorded 78/10 (17.3 Ov) by BAN vs NZ
Highest score chased 202/5 (19.4 Ov) by NZ vs ZIM
Lowest score defended 161/7 (20 Ov) by NZW vs INDW

5) Carisbrook, Dunedin

Carisbrook (sometimes incorrectly referred to as Carisbrook Stadium) was a major sporting venue in Dunedin, New Zealand. The citys main domestic and international rugby union venue, it was also used for other sports such as cricket, football, rugby league and motocross. Carisbrook also hosted a Joe Cocker concert and frequently hosted pre-game concerts before rugby matches in the 1990s. In 2011 Carisbrook was closed, and was replaced as a rugby ground by Forsyth Barr Stadium at University Plaza in North Dunedin, and as a cricket ground by University Oval in Logan Park.

The grounds final regular capacity was around 30,000, but has hosted crowds as high as 42,000 in the past with temporary seating.Until 1998 the sides of the Caversham bypass motorway allowed a free view of the ground and was known as the "Scotsmans Grandstand". Occasionally trains would slow to a crawl or stop on the track above the stadium, allowing passengers to watch an entire event. In 1998 a new stand and corporate boxes were built that blocked the view.

biggest

FACTS

Opened 1883
Capacity 29000
Ends Railway End, Hillside End
Location Dunedin, New Zealand
Time Zone UTC +13:00
Home to Otago
Floodlights Yes

STATS - TEST

Total matches 10
Matches won batting first 2
Matches won bowling first 5
Average 1st Inns scores 263
Average 2nd Inns scores 255
Average 3rd Inns scores 219
Average 4th Inns scores 112
Highest total recorded 586/7 (146 Ov) by NZ vs SL
Lowest total recorded 74/10 (62.2 Ov) by NZ vs WI

6) McLean Park, Napier

Rugby and Cricket are the two major sports events held at Napiers McLean Park. Established in 1911, the stadium was built on the 10 acres of land donated by Sir Douglas in memory of his father, Sir Donald McLean, who was a local politician and a government official. Sir Donald McLean Park was the official name of the ground, before it took its current name, McLean Park. It is a square dimensional ground, covered by four stands and a huge grass bank behind the sightscreen at one end.

Located in Hawkes Bay on the eastern coast of the North Island, Napier is one of New Zealands driest cities, because of which the square at McLean Park doesnt have the spice that other grounds in the country have. The pitch here is regarded as batting-friendly and it is generally considered to be a very good wicket for limited-overs cricket. In fact, it is one of the worlds highest-scoring grounds at present.

A Test match between hosts New Zealand and Pakistan in 1979 was the first international cricket match to be played at this venue. Since then, the BlackCaps have featured in 9 Test matches, winning one, drawing six, and losing two. Quite clearly, not a happy hunting ground for the hosts in the longest format of the game.

Four years later, New Zealand and Sri Lanka locked horns with each other to open McLean Parks ODI account on March 19, 1983. Although enjoying a good run at the start, as years went by, oppositions found ways to tackle New Zealands strategies at this ground and the BlackCaps have suffered quite a few setbacks in the last 10 years.

biggest

FACTS

Opened 1911
Capacity 22,500
Known as McLean Park
Ends Centennial Stand End, Embankment End
Location Napier, New Zealand
Time Zone UTC +13:00
Home to Central Districts
Other Sports it is home to Rugby
Floodlights Yes
Curator Phil Stoyanoff

STATS - TEST

Total matches 10
Matches won batting first 3
Average 1st Inns scores 361
Average 2nd Inns scores 283
Average 3rd Inns scores 342
Average 4th Inns scores 186
Highest total recorded 619/9 (154.4 Ov) by NZ vs IND
Lowest total recorded 51/10 (28.5 Ov) by ZIM vs NZ

STATS - ODI

Total matches 45
Matches won batting first 17
Matches won bowling first 25
Average 1st Inns scores 241
Average 2nd Inns scores 202
Highest total recorded 373/8 (50 Ov) by NZ vs ZIM
Lowest total recorded 126/10 (36.3 Ov) by PAK vs NZ
Highest score chased 289/3 (40 Ov) by SL vs NZ
Lowest score defended 162/3 (20.5 Ov) by NZ vs ZIM

STATS - T20

Total matches 3
Matches won batting first 1
Matches won bowling first 2
Average 1st Inns scores 185
Average 2nd Inns scores 161
Highest total recorded 241/3 (20 Ov) by ENG vs NZ
Lowest total recorded 165/10 (16.5 Ov) by NZ vs ENG
Highest score chased 177/6 (19.4 Ov) by PAK vs NZ
Lowest score defended 241/3 (20 Ov) by ENG vs NZ

7) Hagley Oval, Christchurch

Christchurch waited almost three years since 2011 for international cricket to return to the city. Most parts of the city were severely damaged by the earthquake in February 2011, including Lancaster Park, previously the venue for international cricket in Christchurch. The last game played here was an ODI that involved New Zealand and Pakistan. Later in 2013, Canterbury Cricket got the approval from the Environment Court to develop Hagley Oval as an international venue.

Hagley Oval is situated in the central city of Christchurch. The first time the Plunket Shield, New Zealands domestic first-class cricket tournament, was played here was in 1907. It is the home ground of Canterbury who have been playing here since 1979. The venue has hosted three Womens Test matches and six Womens ODIs. Apart from that, two World Cup qualifier games were held here in January 2014. Scotland played both the matches, one against Kenya and the other against Canada.

The venue made its Test debut on Boxing Day 2014, when New Zealand and Sri Lanka locked horns to kick-off the 2-Test series. It is also the ground which will launch the 2015 World Cup, again involving New Zealand and Sri Lanka.

biggest

FACTS

Opened 1886
Capacity 20,000
Known as Hagley Oval
Location Christchurch, New Zealand
Time Zone UTC +13:00
Home to Canterbury
Curator Rupert Bool

STATS - TEST

Total matches 8
Matches won batting first 2
Matches won bowling first 5
Average 1st Inns scores 282
Average 2nd Inns scores 309
Average 3rd Inns scores 291
Average 4th Inns scores 164
Highest total recorded 659/6 (158.5 Ov) by NZ vs PAK
Lowest total recorded 104/10 (41 Ov) by SL vs NZ

STATS - ODI

Total matches 14
Matches won batting first 8
Matches won bowling first 6
Average 1st Inns scores 257
Average 2nd Inns scores 197
Highest total recorded 341/9 (50 Ov) by SCO vs Can
Lowest total recorded 117/10 (27.4 Ov) by SL vs NZ
Highest score chased 261/7 (49.3 Ov) by SCO vs KEN
Lowest score defended 131/4 (23 Ov) by NZ vs WI

STATS - T20

Total matches 1
Matches won bowling first 1
Average 1st Inns scores 153
Average 2nd Inns scores 154
Highest total recorded 154/3 (18.3 Ov) by ENG vs NZ
Highest score chased 154/3 (18.3 Ov) by ENG vs NZ

8) Queenstown Events Centre, Queenstown

Opened in 1997, the venue is located on Queenstown Lakes District Council–owned land and is a multi-purpose indoor and outdoor venue. The Stadium has a capacity of 19,000 spectators with 6,000 permanent seating and normally 13,000 temporary called in.

Regarded as one of the most spectacular international cricket venues in the world, the ground is located between the foot of the Remarkables and the shores of Lake Wakatipu with Queenstown International Airports Runway threshold nearby affording amazing views of large aircraft taking off and landing. The venue hosts regular international cricket matches, Highlanders rugby games, trade shows, exhibitions, seminars and concerts. It is also a "home ground" for Otago Cricket.

On 1 January 2014, at the Queenstown Events Centre New Zealand Black Caps Corey Anderson broke Shahid Afridis 17-year-old record of the fastest One Day International (ODI) hundred by one ball, scoring his in 36 balls. He eventually ended with an unbeaten 131 that featured 14 sixes and 6 fours Along with Jesse Ryder, he helped New Zealand set the team record for the most sixes in an ODI innings.

biggest

FACTS

Opened 1997
Capacity 19000
Known as John Davies Oval, Davies Park
Ends Remarkables End, Coronet Peak End
Location Queenstown, New Zealand
Time Zone UTC +13:00
Home to New Zealand, Otago
Other Sports it is home to Rugby

STATS - ODI

Total matches 9
Matches won batting first 1
Matches won bowling first 6
Average 1st Inns scores 164
Average 2nd Inns scores 168
Highest total recorded 283/4 (21 Ov) by NZ vs WI
Lowest total recorded 93/10 (37.5 Ov) by BAN vs NZ
Highest score chased 236/4 (47 Ov) by PAK vs NZ
Lowest score defended 283/4 (21 Ov) by NZ vs WI

9) Owen Delany Park, Taupo

The park is named for Owen Delany, who was a major figure in the Taupo sporting scene from 1953, when he formed the United Wanderers Cricket Club. In 1954 he reformed the Taupo Rugby Football club. The Taupo council named the new sports ground Owen Delany Park in recognition of the time and effort Delany had put into the establishment of the park and also his involvement in sport in Taupo over the previous thirty years. Delany attended the first One Day International held at the ground in 1999. In the 1995 Queens Birthday Honours, Owen Delany was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, for services to sport.

The park itself covers several hectares of land on the north-eastern outskirts of Taupo. The main stadium contains a partially covered grandstand with 90 percent of the remaining perimeter formed as a raised grass embankment. The playing surface contains a Rugby field with a cricket pitch in the centre and a grass athletics track forming the boundary. A further two levels of grass surface provide up to five rugby fields and three artificial cricket pitches.

biggest

FACTS

Capacity 15000
Ends North End, Lake Taupo End
Location Taupo, New Zealand
Time Zone UTC +13:00
Home to Northern Districts
Other Sports it is home to Rugby
Floodlights Yes

STATS - ODI

Total matches 3
Matches won batting first 1
Matches won bowling first 2
Average 1st Inns scores 249
Average 2nd Inns scores 201
Highest total recorded 300/7 (50 Ov) by ZIM vs NZ
Lowest total recorded 192/10 (41.3 Ov) by WI vs NZ
Highest score chased 200/5 (38 Ov) by NZ vs IND
Lowest score defended 300/7 (50 Ov) by ZIM vs NZ

10) Basin Reserve, Taupo

The Basin Reserve (commonly known as "The Basin") is a cricket ground in Wellington, New Zealand. It has been used for Test matches and is the main home ground for the Wellington Firebirds first-class team. The Basin Reserve is the only cricket ground to have New Zealand Historic Place status (Category II) as it is the oldest test cricket ground in the country.[1] The ground has been used for events other than cricket, such as concerts, sports events, and other social gatherings, but now it is mostly used for cricket, particularly Test matches.

The Basin Reserve is two kilometers south of the Wellington CBD at the foot of Mount Victoria. Government House, St Marks Church School, and the Wellington College boys school are to the south of the Basin, across the street. At the eastern end of the basin is the Mount Victoria Tunnel, which increased the traffic flow around the Basin Reserve when it was built in 1931.

biggest

FACTS

Capacity 15000
Ends North End, Lake Taupo End
Location Taupo, New Zealand
Time Zone UTC +13:00
Home to Northern Districts
Other Sports it is home to Rugby
Floodlights Yes

STATS - ODI

Total matches 3
Matches won batting first 1
Matches won bowling first 2
Average 1st Inns scores 249
Average 2nd Inns scores 201
Highest total recorded 300/7 (50 Ov) by ZIM vs NZ
Lowest total recorded 192/10 (41.3 Ov) by WI vs NZ
Highest score chased 200/5 (38 Ov) by NZ vs IND
Lowest score defended 300/7 (50 Ov) by ZIM vs NZ
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