Introduction

The Wellington Regional Stadium, also known as Westpac Stadium or the “Cake Tin,” is in the heart of Wellington, New Zealand. Nestled along the picturesque waterfront, the Stadium’s strategic location provides stunning views of the harbor and the surrounding cityscape.

The address of the Wellington Regional Stadium is 105 Waterloo Quay, Pipitea, Wellington 6140, New Zealand. The Wellington Regional Stadium covers an area of approximately 48,000 square meters (almost 12 acres). This expansive space includes the playing field, seating areas, concourses, and various facilities within the Stadium.

Wellington Regional Stadium History

Wellington Regional Stadium, affectionately known as the “Cake Tin,” emerged in 2000 as a visionary project aimed at enhancing Wellington’s sports and entertainment landscape. Designed by Warren and Mahoney, the Stadium’s distinctive architecture, resembling a cake tin, quickly became an iconic part of the city’s skyline.

Originally named Westpac Stadium in 2001 due to a sponsorship deal, the venue evolved from being a stronghold for rugby matches to a versatile hub hosting cricket, concerts, and cultural events.

Sky Stadium, also known as Wellington Stadium, has a total seating capacity of 34,500, with a significant portion of those seats being covered. This capacity makes it a substantial venue for various events, including sports matches, concerts, and other entertainment activities.

Occupants

Sky Stadium, formerly Westpac Stadium, is a versatile multi-purpose facility primarily utilized for sporting events. It proudly serves as the home ground for the Wellington Lions in the Mitre 10 Cup rugby competition and the Hurricanes in Super Rugby. Additionally, the Stadium has been a critical venue for the Wellington Sevens, a prominent event in the annual World Rugby Sevens Series, attracting national rugby sevens teams.

A-League enthusiasts can feel the excitement at Sky Stadium, as it is the proud home of the Wellington Phoenix FC, affectionately known as “The Ring of Fire” by the team’s passionate supporters. The Stadium also plays a significant role in hosting All Blacks rugby matches, contributing to its status as a revered venue in New Zealand’s sporting landscape.

Cricket enthusiasts find their haven at Sky Stadium during the summer, where international and occasional domestic limited-overs cricket contests occur. The New Zealand Black Caps command the stage during international matches, while the Wellington Firebirds showcase their skills in domestic competitions.

Beyond rugby and cricket, Sky Stadium has been the stage for rugby league matches, including fixtures featuring the national team and away games for the New Zealand Warriors. The Australian Football League (AFL) also made its mark at the venue when the St Kilda Football Club hosted home games on Anzac Day from 2013 to 2015.

Off the field, Sky Stadium integrates facilities that contribute to athlete development, including the New Zealand Institute of Sport and a Wellington School of Cricket campus overseen by the Wellington Cricket Association.

Looking ahead, the Stadium continues to be a dynamic hub for women’s football, with Wellington Phoenix Women choosing Sky Stadium as their primary home ground for the 2022-23 A-League Women’s season after the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic led to their inaugural season being based in Wollongong, Australia. With its rich history and diverse sporting contributions, Sky Stadium stands as a beacon of New Zealand’s sporting prowess.

Famous Events

In 2000, the then-Westpac Stadium made history by hosting the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, marking the event’s first venture outside Edinburgh, Scotland. This unique occurrence was repeated in February 2016 when the Edinburgh Military Tattoo returned to Wellington, gracing the Stadium again.

The Stadium continued to be a stage for cinematic moments when, during an England versus Black Caps cricket match in 2002, director Peter Jackson recorded 30,000 fans chanting in Black Speech for the film “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.” This captured the sound of 10,000 chanting Uruk-hai during the epic Battle of Helm’s Deep.

In 2006, WWE made its mark with the first New Zealand show, WWE SmackDown Road to WrestleMania 22 Tour, drawing an audience of 23,875 for a televised event that featured memorable matches, including a triple threat for the World Heavyweight Championship.

The Rolling Stones took center stage at the Stadium in 2006, concluding the Australasian leg of their A Bigger Bang World Tour in a concert that resonated with fans.

The Stadium has also witnessed significant sports, such as Australia defeating New Zealand in the Centenary Test rugby league game in 2007. On 1 December 2007, a landmark exhibition match between Wellington Phoenix FC and the Los Angeles Galaxy drew 31,853 spectators, setting a record for New Zealand’s largest crowd for a non-national football (soccer) match.

Cultural events added to the Stadium’s repertoire, with the kickoff show of the Oceania leg of the Police Reunion Tour in 2008 and the inaugural two-day “Rock2Wgtn” music festival in 2008, headlined by Kiss and Ozzy Osbourne.

The Stadium played a crucial role in the world of football, hosting the 2008 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and serving as the venue for New Zealand’s 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Bahrain, where they emerged victorious in front of a record crowd of 35,194.

AC/DC launched the Australasian leg of their Black Ice World Tour at the Stadium on 28 January 2010, with such high demand that a second concert was added. Additionally, the Stadium hosted games during the 2011 Rugby World Cup, including two quarter-final matches.

These events, spanning sports, entertainment, and cultural spectacles, showcase the diverse and historic role that the Stadium has played in Wellington’s and New Zealand’s narrative.

On 25 April 2013, Sky Stadium made history by hosting the first AFL game outside Australia for premiership points. St Kilda hosted Sydney in front of 22,546 spectators, with Sydney emerging victorious by 16 points.

Continuing its diverse sports portfolio, on 11 May 2013, Sky Stadium welcomed its first National Rugby League fixture since 2004. The Auckland-based New Zealand Warriors faced the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in ‘The Capital Clash,’ donning special jerseys inspired by Wellington’s black and gold colors. The Warriors, unfortunately, faced defeat in front of a crowd of 28,096 fans.

The Stadium played a crucial role in international football on 20 November 2013, hosting the second leg of the World Cup qualification inter-confederation play-off between New Zealand and Mexico. Despite their efforts, New Zealand failed to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

In rugby league, Sky Stadium hosted the 2014 Rugby League Four Nations Final on 15 November 2014, marking the first time the final was held in New Zealand.

Cricket enthusiasts witnessed the drama of the 2015 Cricket World Cup at Sky Stadium, which co-hosted the event. During the tournament, the quarter-final clash between hosts New Zealand and West Indies was among the four matches hosted at the Stadium.

The Stadium has also been a stage for legendary musical performances. Guns N’ Roses rocked the venue during their Not in This Lifetime. Tour on 2 February 2017, and Eminem drew the second-largest crowd to date on 2 March 2019, with an attendance 46,474 during his Rapture concert.

On 11 November 2017, the Stadium set a new record for football attendance in New Zealand, with 37,034 fans witnessing the New Zealand men’s national football team draw 0–0 against Peru in a World Cup qualification inter-confederation play-off.

Ed Sheeran made history at Sky Stadium on 2 February 2023, drawing a crowd of 47,000 during his Tour, the largest-ever attendance for an event at the Stadium. The diverse and memorable events hosted at Sky Stadium continue solidifying its position as a premier venue in New Zealand’s sports and entertainment landscape.

Also Read: International Broadcasting Center