Rugby World Cup to kick-off in front of sold-out Eden Park crowd

The opening match day of Rugby World Cup 2021, playing in 2022, at Eden Park on 8 October has officially sold out, with a record crowd set to fill New Zealand’s iconic national stadium.

This will be the largest ever attendance at a standalone women’s sports event in New Zealand. Fans and players will be part of history, seeing the tournament kick off by becoming the most attended women’s Rugby World Cup match day ever, 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.

It will be the first time in history that Eden Park has reached capacity for a women’s sports event and the attendance more than doubles the largest ever crowd for a standalone women’s sports event in New Zealand.

The record represents sky-rocketing interest in women’s rugby, building on the recent Laurie O’Reilly Cup series in August which saw 3,813 attend the Black Ferns v Wallaroos in Christchurch and the double-header with the All Blacks at Eden Park which saw crowds reach 8,727 at half-time of Black Ferns v Japan.

The opening match day sees a triple header with South Africa vs France kick off at 14:15, followed by Fiji vs England at 16:45 and Australia take on reigning champions New Zealand at 19:15.

NZ timeRugby World Cup 2021 Tournament Director, Michelle Hooper said: “On Saturday night, Aotearoa will send a strong message to the world that women’s rugby is due its rightful place in the spotlight with a sell-out crowd at Eden Park. Creating history for women’s sport and setting new records for women’s rugby, will undoubtedly elevate the women’s game to new heights for generations to come."

Opening match day at Eden Park will set the tone for the greatest celebration of women’s rugby the world has ever seen, with international superstar Rita Ora taking to the stage at the conclusion of match two (Fiji v England), and at half time of the final match of the day when Australia face the Black Ferns.

With the opening matchday now sold out, fans in New Zealand are urged not to miss the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend Rugby World Cup, which is being played across three venues from 8 October to 12 November.

Fans around the world can find out where to watch Rugby World Cup 2021 here.