Huge week ahead for Auckland

Fanzones, the Auckland Fan Trail, free entertainment, rugby personalities – and live screening of the Emirates Team New Zealand Welcome Home Parade

Auckland is turning on the excitement, celebration and entertainment as The British & Irish Lions return to the region for the third and final test match in the DHL New Zealand Lions Series and Emirates Team New Zealand return home.

Queens Wharf Auckland Fanzone is the place to be from Thursday, 6 July to Saturday, 8 July, with live screenings of the welcome home parade and final test, the best of local funk to party along to, family-friendly activities, legendary rugby trophies on display (including the Webb Ellis Cup) in the DHL Dome, plus food and drink for sale.

The third test will also be screened live at the North Rugby Fanzone at the North Shore Events Centre, and Auckland’s Fan Trail between Queens Wharf and Eden Park will be buzzing with free entertainment and activities on Saturday, 8 July.

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development Head of Major Events, Charmaine Ngarimu says the atmosphere in Auckland will be incomparable.

“Auckland is the place to be this week, for locals and visitors alike. The city will be in full celebration mode to welcome The British & Irish Lions and their fans back to town and welcome Emirates Team New Zealand back home. The atmosphere on the waterfront will be electric, and there will be plenty to do and see at the fanzones, on the Fan Trail and around the city.”

On Thursday, Auckland’s waterfront is the place to catch all the excitement. The Queens Wharf Auckland Fanzone will be open from 11am – 11pm, packed with free entertainment and activity. As well as providing a prime viewing position for the Emirates Team New Zealand Welcome Home Parade on-water sail past early afternoon, the welcome home street parade will also be broadcast live on the big screens at the fanzone.

At 6pm, Sir John Kirwan will celebrate more great Kiwi wins on the world stage, chatting to Huriana Manuel, captain of the world champion New Zealand Women’s Sevens before a screening of the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cup finals.

On Friday, 7 July, a full day at Queens Wharf Auckland Fanzone peaks with Motor City Family Funk, the funkiest local band to celebrate with, from 8pm. Friday also offers more action in the adidas DFYAKL Tournament, designed to empower the next generation of rugby players and celebrate young up-and-coming talent, from 8am-3pm; Melodie Robinson interviews rugby personalities at 6pm; and DJ Rivers Awarau is on at 7-8pm and 10-11pm.

On Saturday, 8 July, fans looking to watch the third and final test live have two choices of fanzones – Queens Wharf Auckland Fanzone or the North Rugby Fanzone at the North Shore Events Centre.

On Queens Wharf, entertainment and activities run from 11am-11pm, with entertainment and family-friendly activities, including giant inflatables, rugby photographic exhibitions and the DHL Dome Trophy exhibition, with the Webb Ellis Trophy proudly on display. Food and drink will be on sale, and the fanzone has licensed and alcohol-free areas, including the family zone upstairs in Shed 10.

At the North Shore Events Centre, the North Rugby Fanzone has the third test match live on the big screen, family-friendly activities including face-painting, giant inflatables and Matariki arts and crafts. Food and drink will be for sale.

Fans travelling to the match can take Auckland’s famous Fan Trail, a 4.2km walking route from Queens Wharf to Eden Park filled with free entertainment and fun activities, with street performers including fire dancers and circus performers, drag artistes, Celtic and samba drummers, kapa haka, live music and face painting.

Auckland’s activities for the DHL New Zealand Lions Series are part of the Rugby 2017 Festival and are being delivered by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), on behalf of Auckland Council, in association with central government.

Top tips for catching the action at the fanzones:

• Fans visiting the Queens Wharf Auckland Fanzone can also check out display of legendary NZ Rugby trophies in the DHL Dome, including the Webb Ellis Cup, as well as stunning historic rugby photographs in the Hard on the Heels exhibition by New Zealand’s leading rugby photographer Peter Bush.
• If you enjoy hustle and bustle, and like the buzz of a crowd to watch action on the big screen, Queens Wharf Auckland Fanzone is for you. It has different areas to watch the match, including a family area upstairs in Shed 10.
• If you want to avoid coming into the city centre and prefer smaller crowds, head to the North Rugby Fanzone at the North Shore Events Centre. Both will have live screenings of the test match, free activities like face-painting and giant inflatables, and food and drink for sale.
• Both Queens Wharf Auckland Fanzone and North Rugby Fanzone, at the North Shore Events Centre, have alcohol-free areas and licensed areas. Please don’t bring alcohol with you, and note that intoxicated people will be asked to leave.
• Forget the hassle of parking and come by bus, train, on foot or bicycle. Queens Wharf Auckland Fanzone is close to the Britomart Train Station and downtown bus stops, while Quay St will be closed between Albert and Commerce Streets from 3pm.
• Kids can have a go at Matariki arts and crafts at North Rugby Fanzone, get their faces painted or play on giant inflatables.
• For more information about Auckland’s Fanzones, go to aucklandnz.com/fanzone. For more information about everything in the Rugby 2017 Festival, go to rugby2017festival.com.

Travelling to the game:

• Travel on trains and special events buses is included with pre-purchased game tickets and starts 4 hours (for trains) and three hours (for special events buses) before kick-off and finishes when services end that evening.
• Or walk the Auckland Fan Trail from Queens Wharf to Eden Park. Allow a couple of hours to walk the Fan Trail to make the most of the free entertainment, fun activities and food, water and coffee giveaways. If you don’t fancy the whole route, the corner of Ponsonby and Great North Roads is a popular starting point.
• This is Auckland – the weather is changeable – bring a raincoat and extra warm layers, grab a free coffee or rain poncho on the Fan Trail.
• For more information about the Auckland Fan Trail, go to aucklandnz.com/fantrail and for more information about taking public transport to the game, go to www.at.govt.nz/bus-train-ferry/events/dhl-new-zealand-lions-series-2017/