by Denise Duffy, New Zealand correspondent (22/1/23)
Above: North Harbour Stadium, where Wellington Phoenix will host Sydney FC next month. Photo: Auckland Stadiums.
Wellington Phoenix have announced that their women’s team will be playing their A-League Women round 15 match against Sydney FC at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau’s, New Zealand on Sunday 26th February.
North Harbour Stadium has a seating capacity of 19,000 and is located in Albany on the city’s North Shore. The Phoenix women’s current home is at Sky Stadium in Wellington / Te Whanganui a Tara, with a capacity of 34,500. There is an eight-hour drive between the two venues.
“With Auckland being the biggest city and having a huge number of football clubs and players, it makes total sense to take the game to Albany. There are a lot of young female players and fans in Auckland who will love the opportunity to watch their heroes play,” says supporter Jonathan Hagger, a member of the team’s Flight of the Nix supporters group.
“North Harbor Stadium is easy to get to, has great facilities and with the game being on a Sunday afternoon it will be attractive for families.”
“One of the biggest advantages of the stadium is that it is smaller and rectangular.” says Holly Eades of the Little Corner of Yellow supporters group. “It allows the fans to be closer to the action and the players will be able to hear us cheering them on in a more intimate venue.”
North Harbor Stadium is also home to the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup Play-Off Tournament and will host six matches beginning on 17th February.
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