New Zealand’s national sport is rugby union. The national team, the All Blacks, are world renowned for their pre-game performance of the haka. Historically, they have often been ranked the number one team in the world, but have only won the Rugby World Cup once, in 1987.
New Zealand hosts around five rugby test matches every year, usually against South Africa and Australia, but also against northern hemisphere touring teams. The international home season is usually in July and August. Tickets to the big games against Australia and South Africa often sell out fast, but others are easier to come by. Eden Park (Auckland), Westpac Stadium (Wellington), and AMI Stadium (Christchurch) are the three biggest venues, but the atmosphere in Hamilton and Dunedin can also be great.
For a glimpse of local New Zealand rugby passion, and a less corporate atmosphere, it’s also worth visiting some Super 14, provincial, or Ranfurly Shield games.
The main summer sport is cricket, and although New Zealand are constantly in the lower rankings of test cricket, they have a consistently competitive one day team, and one day and Twenty20 games can draw crowds of up to 20,000. In addition to the big city venues, Queenstown and Napier also host international games. Games run from December to March.
Arguably the best cricket test venue is the historic Basin Reserve. Over 100 test matches have been played at the venue, and it was first used for first class cricket in 1873. Although it has a small capacity, and is often exposed to strong winds, it usually sees the largest and most appreciative test match crowds in New Zealand. There is also a Cricket Museum at the Basin Reserve, open year round.
Other popular spectator sports include rugby league, and football (soccer). The Warriors play rugby league at Mt Smart stadium in Auckland, and the Phoenix soccer team play at Westpac Stadium in Wellington. Both are professional sides in Australian competitions, and regularly attract crowds between 10,000 and 25,000.
Measured by total annual crowds, speedway is one of the most popular spectator sports in New Zealand. Most towns in New Zealand have a speedway track, and the season runs throughout the summer.
Horseracing is also popular. Some big races are the Auckland Cup, the Wellington Cup, the New Zealand 2000 Guineas, and the New Zealand Trotting Cup.
The biggest female sport is netball, and the annual battles with Australian international and domestic teams pack out small arenas throughout the country.
