RWC 2021 Opening Match Day Heading For Record Crowd

The organisers of the Rugby World Cup 2021 in New Zealand say the ticket sales mean the opening match day at Eden Park on 8 October of the global showpiece for women’s rugby is set to break the world record attendance at a women’s Rugby World Cup match with 30,000+ tickets already sold.

Womens Rugby World Cup 2021 Going for Records

The previous record was set during the 2014 finals day which saw a 20,000-capacity Stade Jean-Bouin stadium in France followed by the RWC 2017 finals day which saw 17,115 watch the Black Ferns win their fifth Rugby World Cup.

Rugby World Cup 2021 Tournament Director, Michelle Hooper said, “We came out just over a year ago with a bold ambition to set a new world record for attendance at a women’s Rugby World Cup match on opening match day at Eden Park. We put our faith in Kiwis to get behind this kaupapa and show up for the stars of the women’s game competing here on the world-stage.”

The record will also be the largest ever attendance at a standalone women’s sports match day in New Zealand and they have high hopes of selling out Eden Park, which would be another first for women’s sport.

Hooper added “To have already surpassed that record with one week still to go is an incredible testament to our people and their support for this vision, and also the very special manaakitanga within our sporting community here in Aotearoa. We’re breaking new ground with this tournament and now want to see if we can secure another record first for New Zealand and for women’s rugby by filling Eden Park. We believe it is possible and are over-turning every rock in the process to bring this vision to life. A moment all New Zealanders can be proud of.”

Photo Credit: World Rugby

RWC 2021 Opening Day – Match-Day Entertainment

Eden Park will be treated to a triple header of rugby which will feature the home team and five-time Rugby World Cup winning New Zealand Black Ferns playing Australia in the final match.

Ron Rutland and Adam Nunn are going to deliver the whistle for the opening match which will conclude their Race To Rugby World Cup which will have covered a 16,500km cycle from Tokyo to Auckland and raise funds for the event’s Principal Charity Partner ChildFund Rugby.

• South Africa vs France (Pool C)
• Fiji vs England (Pool C)
• Australia vs NZ (Pool A)

The full list of match official appointments can be seen here.

Rita Ora will perform at the stadium to fans when at the conclusion of match two (Fiji v England), and at halftime of the Australia vs Black Ferns.

Japan open its account on the second day (Sunday 9th October 2022) when they play Canada in Pool B at Northland Events Centre, Whangarei.

On Monday 3 October the RWC 2021 Team Welcome Ceremony will take place at SkyCity Theatre SkyCity in Auckland and there will be statements from World Rugby and the RWC 2021 Organisers – we will bring you more after the event.

Rugby World Cup 2021 News

• RWC 2021 Preparation.
• Rugby World Cup 2021 Appoints ChildFund as Principal Charity Partner.
• ChildFund Rugby Launches Play for ImpACT Campaign.
• Japan Sakura XV Confirm RWC 2021 Squad.