Apollo projects Stadium: Rugby League’s Historic Farewell?
CHRISTCHURCH — April 25, 2025 — The historic Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch, formerly known as Rugby League Park, could soon host its final rugby league match. This impending game between the Warriors and Knights, could mark the end of over a century of rugby league history. the event raises questions about the future of professional rugby league in the city, with experts speculating on the impact of the new Te Kaha Stadium. Stay tuned for further developments.
Apollo Projects Stadium: A Century of Rugby League History Nears Its End
Christchurch’s Apollo Projects Stadium, formerly known as Addington Show Grounds and Rugby League Park, is perhaps hosting its final top-tier rugby league match. The Warriors-Knights anzac Day showdown could mark the end of a 113-year era as the city prepares for the opening of Te Kaha Stadium in 2026.
Apollo Projects Stadium, also known as Rugby League Park, has a rich history of hosting rugby league matches. (Image: Placeholder)
A Storied Ground: from Show Grounds to Stadium
apollo Projects Stadium, known non-commercially as Christchurch Stadium [[2]],has been a cornerstone of rugby league in Christchurch for over a century. Originally the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s Show Grounds, the venue hosted its first rugby league match on Sept. 7, 1912, a 5-4 victory for Wellington over Canterbury. Just a week later, New South Wales defeated canterbury 28-15 in an international fixture.
Did You Know?
The stadium was bought from the Christchurch City Council in the 1990s and is part of a complex that includes the horncastle Arena and the addington Raceway [[1]].
Club matches followed in April 1913, with St Albans defeating Addington 17-12 and Linwood prevailing over Sydenham 14-5. The ground witnessed New Zealand’s victories over Great Britain in 1950 and Australia in 1953, solidifying its place in rugby league history.
In 1951,Canterbury Rugby League (CRL) leased the Show Grounds,choosing rugby league as its winter tenant over rugby union. The venue officially became Rugby League Park in 1997 when CRL secured a 40-year lease.
Key Moments and Matches
- CRL Premiership Grand Finals: Addington Show Grounds/Rugby League Park hosted every CRL premiership grand final from 1967 to 2010, and again in 2015-16.
- Representative Rugby League History: The ground witnessed Canterbury’s wins over france in 1955 and the Great Britain Lions in 1990, their first Rugby League Cup win over Auckland in 1963, and the 36-12 triumph over Auckland in the 1993 national championship final.
- “The killing Fields”: Addington Show Grounds earned the nickname
The Killing Fields
during the Frank Endacott-coached Canterbury team’s dominant early-1990s era. - International Matches: After hosting 11 Tests from 1950-91, Test football returned in 2017 for the Rugby League World Cup, featuring the Kiwis against Scotland and the quarter-final between Lebanon and Tonga.
- Pacific Championships: In 2024, the stadium hosted a Pacific Championships double-header, marking the first time in 35 years that the Kiwis and Kangaroos clashed in Christchurch, and the first-ever match between the Kiwi Ferns and Jillaroos in the city.
The Modern Era: NRL and Beyond
While Lancaster Park hosted Australian premiership matches from 1996 to 2010, Rugby League Park hosted its first NRL match in 2016 when the Penrith Panthers played the Warriors in Christchurch.The Manly Sea Eagles also hosted
the Warriors there in 2018 and 2019,and the Warriors played their first home
game in Christchurch at Rugby League Park in 2024 against the Canberra Raiders.
Pro Tip
Keep an eye on local sports news for updates on potential future events at Apollo Projects Stadium, even after the opening of Te Kaha Stadium.
The 2018 men’s and women’s grand final double-header provided an unforgettable farewell to the spiritual home of rugby league in the region from a club football viewpoint
ahead of Canterbury Rugby League’s move to Nga Punā Wai. Since 2012, following the Christchurch earthquakes that significantly damaged Lancaster Park [[2]], Rugby League Park has continued to host NRL matches and rugby league Tests.
Looking Ahead: The End of an Era?
The impending opening of Te Kaha Stadium in the central city in 2026 inevitably signals the end of top-level football in Addington.
Tonight’s Warriors-Knights clash at Apollo Projects Stadium shapes as the code’s likely farewell at the ground
and potentially heralds the end of a 113-year era for rugby league in this city.
FAQ: Apollo projects Stadium
- What was Rugby League Park originally known as?
- It was originally known as the Addington Showgrounds [[3]].
- When did it become Rugby League Park?
- It became Rugby League Park in 1997 [[3]].
- What other names has the stadium had?
- Due to sponsorships, it has also been named AMI Stadium and Orangetheory Stadium [[3]].
- When is Te Kaha Stadium expected to open?
- Te Kaha Stadium is expected to open in 2026.
