The Wellington Phoenix will stage their first Waitangi Day match in Wellington early next year.
The Phoenix’s 12th round Isuzu UTE A-League fixture against Central Coast Mariners, originally scheduled for Sunday, January 14 at Sky Stadium, will now be played at the Ring of Fire at 4pm on Tuesday, February 6.
To celebrate and to make the match more affordable for families, kids tickets are free with a paying adult.
The club had to reschedule the match after Australian Professional Leagues (APL) announced the inaugural Unite Round, featuring all 13 A-League clubs, will be played in Sydney over the second weekend of January.
Waitangi Day was always the preference for the game against the reigning champions as only mid-week dates were available.
“I’m delighted we have been able to bring this game to life on Aotearoa’s national day,” Phoenix general manager David Dome said.
“Given this fixture was originally going to be played at Sky Stadium it’s only right that the rescheduled match is played at our home.
“I’d like to thank Shane and his team at Sky Stadium for helping make this Waitangi Day game a reality and I hope the family-friendly kick-off time and our ‘kids go free’ promotion makes it easier for all of our fans to cheer our men on.”
“There’s no such thing as too much football, so it’s fantastic to be able to host this additional match against the A-League champions,” Sky Stadium chief executive Shane Harmon added.
Remarkably the Nix have only played on Waitangi Day once before in their history. That was in 2022 when they played a ‘home’ game against Macarthur FC at Campbelltown Stadium, which Wellington won 3-1.
Tickets for the Wellington Phoenix’s Waitangi Day match against Central Coast Mariners are on sale now.
Sky Stadium to host the Nix on February 6
