Dunedin Gears Up for Sold Out All Blacks Test as Stadium Prepares for 29,000 Hungry Fans
Sold-out crowd to consume 4 tonnes of hot chips and 10,000 litres of beer in rugby feast
With just days to go until Saturday night's sold-out All Blacks test at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin is preparing for one of its biggest sporting events of the year as 29,000 passionate rugby fans descend on the city.
Behind the scenes, stadium operations are in full swing with preparations that rival the precision of an All Blacks lineout. As the excitement builds for the upcoming test, the spotlight isn't just on the action on the field—it's also on the mammoth effort behind the scenes to feed and hydrate 29,000 passionate fans.
The Compass catering team alone is preparing to serve:
"Delivering food and beverages to 29,000 people is no small feat," said Leah Stevens, Compass Operations Manager. "From planning menus and stocking up on thousands of litres of beer and soft drinks, to preparing everything from gourmet meals in the corporate suites to hot chips and pies for the general public—it's a full-team effort."
The scale of the operation requires over 400 smiling Compass staff working a combined minimum of 4,000 hours to set up, work the game, and pack down afterwards. That's a lot of steps!
Stadium Infrastructure
The massive logistical operation extends far beyond food service. Stadium management has installed:
- 20 marquees with a combined length of 135 metres
- 300 metres of temporary fencing
- 60 metres of water barriers
- 12 additional portable facilities
- 7 entry gates with 47 individual lanes to manage crowd flow
The pitch itself has been in preparation for weeks, with groundskeepers monitoring key tasks such as surface firmness, soil moisture and soil temperature. With the lack of sunlight throughout June, the pitch has been getting cut once per week, mainly cutting grass where the new LED grow lights have been installed—which has been growing the grass at twice the rate of areas with no lights. The new LED grow lights have been a huge help ensuring perfect conditions for what promises to be a spectacular match.
Stadium security P4G will deploy 253 staff members – three times the normal workforce – to ensure the evening runs smoothly. This includes:
- 180 security personnel
- 42 ticket scanners managing entry points
- 41 ushers for crowd guidance and assistance
Adding to the community spirit, 8 local community groups will be conducting
fundraising activities throughout the event, turning the test match into a boost for local causes as well.
Transport and Access
With 29,000 fans converging on Forsyth Barr Stadium, comprehensive transport arrangements are in place to manage the crowds. Park & Ride services will operate from three locations - the Octagon, Victoria Road Car Park in South Dunedin, and Wingatui Racecourse in Mosgiel - with buses running from 4.30pm until kick-off and return services beginning at 9.30pm.
For those preferring public transport, four free ORC Orbus routes will service the stadium area, with fans able to travel free by showing their match tickets. More adventurous supporters can catch the train to Dunedin Railway Station for an 18-minute walk to the ground, or even arrive in style via ferry from Portobello or Port Chalmers.
Tickets and Final Preparations
"A sell out over a week before the event is an outstanding outcome for Dunedin, it emphasises the South's commitment to attending events and getting behind their national team. The atmosphere will be electric under the roof, there’s nothing better than thousands of people coming together to have a fantastic night," said Paul Doorn, CEO of Dunedin Venues and Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early, plan their transport in advance, and have their tickets ready to scan for quick entry through their allocated gate .