The HFC Bank Stadium (formerly known as ANZ Stadium)[1] is a multi-purpose stadium in Suva, Fiji.
 HFC Bank Stadium | |
 | |
| Full name | HFC Bank Stadium |
|---|---|
| Former names | ANZ Stadium |
| Address | Suva Fiji |
| Location |  Suva, Fiji |
| Coordinates | 18°9′0″S 178°26′57″E / 18.15000°S 178.44917°E |
| Owner | Government of Suva City |
| Operator | Government of Suva City |
| Capacity | 15,446 |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1951 |
| Renovated | 1978–1979 2012–2013 |
| Tenants | |
| Suva Highlanders Fijian Drua Suva FC Fiji national football team | |
HFC Stadium is used primarily for rugby league, rugby union and football matches, and features a track as well as a pitch suitable for worldwide competition.[2] The stadium has a capacity of 15,446, with 4,026 seats on grandstand and 420 in VIP boxes.[2]
Construction and renovations
editOriginally called Buckhurst Park, the stadium was constructed in 1951 on sixteen hectares of land given by William H. B. Buckhurst in 1948.[3][4]
The stadium was first renovated in 1978–1979 for the Sixth South Pacific Games.[5] Work commenced in April 1978 with the demolition of the grandstand, which had lost its roof during Hurricane Bebe.[6] The stadium was renamed National Stadium upon reopening in 1979.[5]
A second renovation took place in 2012, sponsored by ANZ Fiji, Fiji's largest bank, at a cost of FJD $17.5 million.[7] The stadium reopened in March 2013, with a rugby union game between the Fiji national team and Classic All Blacks.[7]
In June 2022, the Fiji Sports Council announced HFC Bank as the new naming right sponsor of the stadium with the new name designated as HFC Bank Stadium.[8]
The stadium also hosted the 2024 OFC Nations Cup in June 2024.
Buckhurst and Bidesi Parks
editThe 2012–2013 renovation also included the park and playing grounds behind the HFC Bank Stadium, which are known as Bidesi Park and Buckhurst Park,[7] retaining the stadium's original name.[3] The Buckhurst and Bidesi grounds include three pitches primarily used for training and competition in rugby league, rugby union, football, and cricket,[2] and a small stadium and synthetic training track.[7] Buckhurst Park was the site of the National Baseball Diamond used in the 2003 South Pacific Games.[9][2]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ Kumar, Rashneel (8 May 2013). "New stadium ready for Flying Fijians". Fiji Times. Suva, Fiji. Archived from the original on 8 November 2014.
- ^ a b c d Fiji Sports Council (12 October 2024). "Facilities".
- ^ a b "Rotary Club of Suva, Fiji, First Club of the South Pacific Islands". Rotary Global History Fellowship. Archived from the original on 24 April 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
- ^ "Les Iles Fidji et l'Olympisme" (PDF). LA84 Foundation (in French). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
- ^ a b "South Pacific Games 1979 - Fiji". Solomon Islands Games Record. Fox Sports Pulse. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
- ^ Elbourne, Frederica (22 June 2013). "Sporting history begins". Fiji Times. Archived from the original on 14 April 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
- ^ a b c d Ratuva, Anasilini (9 August 2012). "$17.5m For Stadium Upgrade". Fiji Sun. Archived from the original on 26 April 2016.
- ^ "HFC Bank Takes Over The Iconic National Stadium Naming Rights". Fiji Sun. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
- ^ "Buckhurst Baseball Ground – Competition Venue". 2003 South Pacific Games. Fox Sports Pulse. 29 June 2003. Archived from the original on 26 April 2016.