How to use public transport for FIFA Women’s World Cup games at Eden Park

posted in: Events, FIFA Women's World Cup, News |

Auckland’s public transport network say they are ready to cope with the army of fans who’ll head to Eden Park for games during the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Auckland Transport’s Executive General Manager Public Transport Services Stacey van der Putten says there’s no better way to travel to the games than on public transport.

“Whether you’re an Aucklander or you’ve travelled across the globe to watch your team take on the world’s best, the cheapest and easiest way to get to World Cup matches is on AT’s public transport and special event services,” she says.

Auckland’s Eden Park stadium will host nine FIFA Women’s World Cup matches from this the opening match between the Football Ferns and Norway, through to the World Cup semi-final on August 15.

Public transport travel included in match tickets

“Travel on all AT buses and trains in the hours leading up to World Cup games is included with your tickets and AT is also putting on a range of special event buses from the City Centre, North Shore and East Auckland, van der Putten says.

“On match days, we’ll also be putting on extra capacity on our Western Line train services which will take fans from the City Centre and West Auckland to Kingsland Station which is right next to Eden Park.”

In the lead-up to the World Cup, AT has worked with bus operators to recruit more drivers and improve reliability so Auckland is ready to welcome fans onboard.

“Since the beginning of the year, Auckland’s bus operators have recruited 450 new bus drivers meaning the reliability of our services has massively improved,” van der Putten says.

Trains to run on all lines on game days

To help make it easy for fans from across Tāmaki Makaurau to head to World Cup games, Auckland Transport and KiwiRail have worked to make it possible for special Eastern Line train services to run via Panmure on game days.

Since March 5, stations on the Eastern Line between Panmure and Britomart have been closed while KiwiRail works to rebuild the foundations under the rail tracks, van der Putten says.

“We’ve worked with KiwiRail to make it as easy as possible for Aucklanders and visitors alike to travel to World Cup games on Auckland’s rail network, which means we’ve brought back special Eastern Line services on game days.

“Work on KiwiRail’s Rail Network Rebuild will continue between game days and we’re looking forward to reopening the Eastern Line permanently in early 2024.”