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Source: New Zealand Government

Communities across the country will benefit from newly upgraded sporting facilities as a result of New Zealand co-hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.

The Government is investing around $19 million to support upgrades at 30 of the 32 potential sporting facilities earmarked for the tournament, including pitch, lighting and facility enhancements, and gender-neutral changing spaces.

The venues and local councils are also contributing to the costs of these upgrades.

“The FIFA Women’s World Cup is the largest women’s sporting event on the planet. Hosting an event of this magnitude will generate significant social and economic benefits for Aotearoa New Zealand and leave a lasting legacy for football and women’s sport in this country,” Grant Robertson said.

“These upgrades are critical to ensure the success of the tournament, but will also benefit local communities, football clubs and many different sporting codes that use these facilities, which is another great reason to invest in them.

“They will also put us in a stronger position when bidding to host major international events in the future.

Four stadia will host matches during the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023: Eden Park, Waikato Stadium, Wellington Regional Stadium and Dunedin Stadium.

For the first time in the tournament’s history, FIFA has also introduced Team Base Camps – headquarters for each team that include accommodation and training facilities.

There are 21 venues in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Dunedin, Rotorua, Napier, Palmerston North, Tauranga and Christchurch earmarked for Team Base Camps. Of these, 16 will end up being selected and used by teams throughout the tournament.

The Government’s investment includes $5 million through Sport New Zealand for gender neutral changing room upgrades at some of these venues.

“This is an excellent example of how Government investment in major events can drive positive, long-term change in our communities,” Grant Robertson said.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 is taking place from 20 July to 20 August 2023.

Hamilton and Auckland will also host the first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup Play-Off Tournament from 17 to 23 February 2023 to determine the final three qualifiers for next year’s world cup.

Breakdown of the Government’s investment by region/venue

City

Venue type

Venue name

MBIE investment

Sport NZ investment via NZF

Combined regional total

Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau

Match Stadium

Eden Park

$2.4m

$8.6m

Venue Specific Training Sites

North Harbour Stadium, Waitākere Stadium

$4m

$2.2m

 

Team Base Camps

McLennan Park, Bay City Park, Fred Taylor Park, Keith Hay Park, Māngere Centre Park, Michaels Avenue Reserve, Shepherds Park, Olympic Park, Seddon Fields

Hamilton / Kirikiriroa

Match Stadium

Waikato Stadium

$220,000

$1.2m

 

Venue Specific Training Sites

Porritt Park No.2, Gower Park No.1

$600,000

$330,000

 

Team Base Camps

Korikori Park

Wellington / Te Whanganui-a-Tara

Match Stadium

Wellington Regional Stadium

$3.5m

$600,000

$6m

 

Venue Specific Training Sites

Martin Luckie Park, Newtown Park 1

$1.5m

$405,000

 

Team Base Camps

Porirua Park

Dunedin / Ōtepoti

Match Stadium

Dunedin Stadium

$135,000

$1.6m

 

Venue Specific Training Sites

Caledonian Ground, University #6

$1m

$500,000

 

Team Base Camps

Tahuna Park

Team Base Camp only regions 

Christchurch / Ōtautahi

Team Base Camps

Avonhead Park, Christchurch Stadium, Ngā Puna Wai

$230,000

$95,000

$325,000

Napier / Ahuriri

Team Base Camps

McLean Park

$300,000

$300,000

Tauranga

Team Base Camps

The Bay Oval

$115,000

$115,000

Palmerston North / Te Papaioea

Team Base Camps

Massey University

$325,000

$325,000

Centralised project management and quality assurance costs

$215,000

$215,000

Totals

$13.7m

$5m

$18.7m

The full list of venues earmarked by FIFA for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 can be found on FIFA’s website.

MIL OSI