The curtain comes down on rugby leagues spiritual home in Christchurch last night, found this an interesting read

𝗖𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗕𝗶𝗱𝘀 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝘂𝗴𝗯𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀:
For over a century, the Addington Showgrounds — later known as Rugby League Park — has been the heartbeat of rugby league in Christchurch. From the very first Canterbury vs Wellington clash in 1912 to hosting world-class Test matches and Rugby League World Cups, this ground has seen generations of players, fans, and unforgettable moments.
Last night marked the final ever game on this legendary turf before the council takes over, closing a chapter on one of New Zealand’s most iconic rugby league venues.

𝐀 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐮𝐠𝐛𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲: 𝟏𝟗𝟏𝟐 - 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐮𝐠𝐛𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐲:
+ The very first rugby league match in Christchurch saw Wellington defeat Canterbury 5–4 at the Showgrounds.
+ The following season, a local club competition began with teams such as St Albans, Addington, Linwood, and Sydenham taking the field.
𝟏𝟗𝟓𝟎’𝐬 - 𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟎’𝐬: 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞:
+ In 1950, New Zealand beat Great Britain 16–10 in the first Test played at the ground, in front of around 10,000 fans.
+ In 1953 New Zealand defeated Australia 25–5 at the same venue.
+ In 1963 South Africa played here against South Island, South Island won 12-8
+ In 1964, New Zealand overcame France 18–8 in a memorable Test match.
+ Great Britain toured and played Tests in Christchurch in both 1970 and 1974.
+ The ground hosted multiple Rugby League World Cup matches, including tournaments in 1975, 1977, 1988, 1990, and 1991, bringing international tournament football to the city.
𝐈𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:
+ Canterbury enjoyed several historic victories against touring sides, cementing its reputation on the national stage.
+ In 1980, a South Island representative team famously defeated Australia 12–11, one of the biggest upsets in regional rugby league history.
+ In the early 1990s, Canterbury’s “Killing Fields” side dominated regional representative football, making the ground a feared venue for visiting teams.
𝟏𝟗𝟔𝟕-𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟎: 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐑𝐮𝐠𝐛𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞:
+ Rugby League Park hosted every Canterbury Rugby League premiership grand final from 1967 through 2010, becoming the defining stage for club football in the region.
+ The ground also hosted the first schoolboy international matches in Christchurch, and night football under lights became a fan favourite.
𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟎’𝐬-𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟎’𝐬 - 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐫𝐚:
+ The venue served as home to teams competing in the Lion Red Cup and Bartercard Cup throughout the 1990s and 2000s, connecting local talent to the national rugby league stage.
𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟕 - 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐑𝐮𝐠𝐛𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤:
+ Formerly Addington Showgrounds, the ground was officially renamed Rugby League Park after Canterbury Rugby League secured a long-term lease, giving it a clear identity as the home of league in Christchurch.
𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟏 𝐎𝐧𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 - 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐄𝐫𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭
𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞:
+ The February 2011 Christchurch earthquake caused significant damage to the grounds, leading to the demolition of the old grandstands.
+ A temporary multi-sport stadium was developed on the site, hosting Crusaders Super Rugby games, All Blacks Tests, and rugby league fixtures — including NRL matches featuring the New Zealand Warriors: Penrith Panthers vs Warriors (2016), Manly Sea Eagles vs Warriors (2018), Warriors vs Canberra Raiders (2024), and Warriors vs Newcastle Knights (2025) — as well as the historic Kiwis vs Australia double-header, keeping the spirit of league alive on this historic turf.
𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝:
Last night marked the final major event at the grounds, with the Crusaders playing Fijian Drua, capping off a stadium that has also been the stage for the Crusaders’ historic moments — including multiple Super Rugby titles won on this very turf.
For rugby league fans, the Addington Showgrounds will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Thousands of memories were created here — from epic Tests and domestic finals to unforgettable local battles — and its legacy will live on forever in the stories, victories, and passion of everyone who called this ground home.
~ Written by: Shem Brokenshire - Rugby League Daily Content Creator