Black Ferns to play opening Rugby World Cup 2021 match at Eden Park

• Rugby World Cup 2021 celebrates one year to go milestone
• Eden Park and Northland Events Centre confirmed as opening day venues
• Rugby World Cup 2021 volunteer programme opens

World Rugby and hosts New Zealand Rugby (NZR) have today confirmed the Black Ferns will play their opening match of Rugby World Cup 2021 at Auckland’s Eden Park .

Eden Park, a venue steeped in Rugby World Cup history having hosted the men’s finals in 1987 and the opening match and final in 2011, will break new ground as the host of the women’s edition of a Rugby World Cup for the first time.

Eden Park and Whangarei’s Northland Events Centre, will host a combined six matches across the opening match day on Saturday, 18 September, 2021. The remaining pool stage match days – Thursday, 23 and Tuesday, 28 September – will be hosted at Waitakere Stadium and Northland Events Centre.

To mark 365 days until the tournament kicks off, rugby fans in New Zealand can register their interest in joining the team behind the tournament by becoming official volunteers of Rugby World Cup 2021.  Volunteers will play a key role in delivering the tournament and across a range of roles including hosting and way-finding, accreditation and team liaison. Fans can register via the Rugby World Cup 2021 website.

World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “The countdown is on with just one year to go until the women’s edition of the Rugby World Cup kicks off in the southern hemisphere for the first time in its history. While taking into account the unique and challenging circumstances caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, planning is progressing very well and hosts New Zealand are on course to supercharge the women’s game, welcoming the world’s best teams to what we know will be an exciting and exceptional tournament. 2021 is set to be a special year for women’s rugby as it takes centre stage.”

Rugby World Cup 2021 Tournament Director Michelle Hooper said it would be extra special for both teams and fans to have the opening match at Eden Park.

“Eden Park holds a special place in rugby history, not just in New Zealand but around the world. Players from across the globe aspire to play there and fans want to witness a match there. It will set the scene for what will be an exciting event for rugby.

Hooper said while the one year to go milestone marked the beginning of the official countdown, extensive work had been going on behind the scenes to ensure the tournament would showcase the best rugby in the world.

“Despite the challenges being faced by the global pandemic, the organising team are focused, on track and determined to deliver a once-in-a-lifetime Rugby World Cup. Rugby is at the heart of New Zealand communities and the opportunity to ‘supercharge’ the women’s game will inspire a generation of young people to strive to achieve their goals.

“The world’s best high-performance rugby players want to play here, and New Zealanders are ready to host them, and showcase our manaakitanga on the world stage. As proud hosts we are encouraging everyone who is keen to be part of the action to sign-up to express their interest to become a volunteer. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity.”