A week out from the start of the Rugby World Cup organisers are setting their sights on filling Eden Park for the first time in women's sport.
The crowd at Eden Park for the Super Rugby Pacific final on Saturday 18 June 2022. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
Rugby World Cup fever is sweeping New Zealand with over 30,000 tickets purchased for the opening day on October 8 and sales are on track to set a new attendance record for a women's Rugby World Cup match day.
The Rugby World Cup opening day is set to become the most attended women's Rugby World Cup match day, surpassing RWC 2014 finals day which was recorded as a sell-out at the 20,000 capacity Stade Jean-Bouin stadium in France and RWC 2017 finals day which saw 17,115 watch the Black Ferns claim their fifth Rugby World Cup title.
A stellar day of opening matches will see the triple-header at Eden Park headlined by British pop star Rita Ora who will perform two sets.
The 31-year-old singer will take centre stage at the conclusion of the second match of the day between Fiji and England in Pool C and will be back on stage at half-time of the final clash of the day when the Black Ferns face Australia in Pool A.
The tournament kicks off when South Africa play France in their Pool C match.
British pop star Rita Ora who will perform at Eden Park on the opening day of the World Cup. Photo: VALERIE MACON / AFP
"The wait is nearly over, the teams have arrived, and New Zealand is ready to get the party started," World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin said.
"With tickets selling fast and the opening match day at Eden Park set to be a very special and record-breaking experience, fans should secure their place now to avoid disappointment."
Rugby World Cup 2021 is taking place in New Zealand from 8 October to 12 November, the first time the pinnacle event has been staged in the Southern Hemisphere. It's the biggest global event in women's 15s rugby and will be contested by the top 12 teams in the world at three match venues - Eden Park, Waitākere Stadium and Northland Events Centre.
Records show the largest attendance to date for women's sport in New Zealand was 16,162 for the 2008 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup final between the USA and North Korea at North Harbour Stadium.