Fans complain of heat inside Christchurch stadium during rugby matches
Monday 12 October 2026 · 3 outlets · 3 reports · updated In this story MetService, Canterbury
Spectators reported uncomfortable temperatures at One New Zealand Stadium on Sunday during NPC and Farah Palmer Cup fixtures. While outside temperatures were in the low 20s, parts of the covered stadium reached 31C. Some fans left the venue between matches due to the heat.
Key facts
5 facts
- One New Zealand Stadium hosted NPC men's quarter-finals and the women's Farah Palmer Cup final on Sunday
- Temperatures in direct sunlight inside the stadium reached 31C
- MetService reported outside temperatures were in the low 20s
- The stadium features 12 large fans and facade louvres for cooling
- The stadium opened in April
The full story
1 min read · 3 outlets
Spectators at One New Zealand Stadium reported uncomfortable temperatures during two rugby fixtures on Sunday. The stadium hosted the National Provincial Championship men's quarter-finals and the women's Farah Palmer Cup final.
While MetService reported outside temperatures in the low 20s, parts of the stadium reached 31C in direct sunlight. Some areas under the roof reached 25C. Some attendees left the venue before the women's final due to the heat.
Venues Ōtautahi chief executive Caroline Harvie-Teare stated Sunday was the warmest the venue has been on an event day so far. She noted that while the main bowl is not air-conditioned, temperatures generally remain within five degrees of the outside temperature.
The stadium uses 12 large fans and facade louvres as primary cooling features, though the fans were not operating at full capacity on Sunday. Harvie-Teare expressed confidence that these systems, along with supplementary misting fans, will provide sufficient cooling during the summer.
How it developed
- Mon 12 Oct, 3:39pmThe chief executive noted that the large fans were not operating at full capacity during the event.
Compiled from reports by The Press, NZ Herald and Stuff.
