NEWS RELEASE
19 November 2013
All Whites v Mexico – important tips for fans
Wellington City Council is putting on a Fan Trail fiesta as the All Whites take on Mexico in the second leg of the 2014
FIFA World Cup qualifier.
The 37,000 fans heading to the game on Wednesday 20 November can soak up the colour and excitement of the occasion along
the waterfront and head to the stadium as part of the Fan Trail parade.
The Fan Trail starts by the TSB Bank Arena under the sails at Queens Wharf. Football fans can join in the parade leaving
at 5.30pm, led by local drumming favourites Batucada as they samba their way toward the stadium. Along the parade route
and around town will be other musicians and dancers.
Mayor Celia Wade-Brown said that the promise of spectacular football combined with exciting entertainment organised
along the waterfront will create a wonderful occasion for fans.
"It'll be a great atmosphere at the home of New Zealand football, so let's show the All Whites that Wellington and New
Zealand are right behind them," she said.
The Fan Trail is similar to what the Council has done for previous major events, such as the Bledisloe Cup match earlier
this year.
On the waterfront will be the Wellington City Shake-Em-On-Downers, playing their own brand of Dixieland and New Orleans
jazz, while acoustic duo Filthy Two will keep the crowd rocking with party classics.
Football supporters and commuters alike will enjoy the salsa sounds of Acapulco-born Carlos Navae and his band at the
Railway Station.
On the way to the game, you can also take in the sounds of Cumbia Blazera - passionate footballers as well as musicians
- in Post Office Square.
The Wellington Brass Band has decided to hedge its bets, with half of the members playing Kiwi hits and the remaining
musicians breaking out a new Mexican-themed repertoire. One group will play in Midland Park and the other will be on the
Stadium concourse where spectators will also be entertained by the award-winning LatinBeat Dancers as they bring a taste
of carnival to Wellington.
The stadium opens at 5pm and kickoff is at 7pm, not 7.30 as originally advertised. The change was made to accommodate
global broadcast requirements. All tickets remain valid.
Fans are recommended to be inside the stadium gates by 6.30pm in time for kick-off and to avoid queues.
Getting to and from the game
Fan Trail
People are encouraged to take the Fan Trail to get to the game. Starting outside the TSB Bank Arena on Queens Wharf from
5.30pm, there will be spectacular entertainers along the route with drumming, colour, dance and music. Get to town
early, get amongst it and get into the crowd spirit.
Public transport
Public transport is a better choice than driving because parking is limited and traffic during the evening peak will be
congested.
All buses and trains will be running as normal – see metlink.org.nz for more details.
Regular train services will be increased in capacity both before and after the match. In addition, there will be two
extra services on each line for fans heading home after the game. Departure times from Wellington for these extras are
approximately:
Hutt Valley 9.30 and 9.45pm
Johnsonville 9.32 and 9.47pm
Kapiti 9.35 and 9.50pm
Taxis
Taxis will drop off passengers heading to the game at Bunny Street, in front of the Railway Station to reduce
congestion.
If you’re going to the game and need to get a taxi home afterwards, they’ll be available from:
• the taxi stand outside the Railway Station on Bunny Street
• the bottom of the Stadium walkway spiral on Thorndon Quay
• Stout Street at the Featherston Street intersection.
Accessibility arrangements
Normal accessibility arrangements are in place – for more information phone the stadium on (04) 473 3881.
Road closures
On the night, there will be some road closures and restrictions to help with pedestrian safety as people get to and from
the game. Event marshals and Police will be on-hand to direct traffic.
Before the game
Bunny Street will be closed at the intersection with Featherston Street and there will be no right turn from Waterloo
Quay from 6pm.
There will still be access for taxis and private vehicles to get to the Railway Station.
As with other major sporting events, taxis will drop off stadium patrons at Bunny St and the Railway Station. Police
will be diverting taxis from Waterloo Quay into Bunny St and into the Railway Station.
After the game
The following streets will be closed from 8.30pm to 10pm.
• Bunny Street in front of the Railway Station
• Mulgrave Street between Aitken Street and the intersection of Featherston Street and Thorndon Quay
• Kate Sheppard Place at its intersection with Mulgrave Street
• Thorndon Quay between Davis Street and Featherston Street (access for residents and approved vehicles only)
• Featherston Street between Thorndon Quay and Whitmore Street
• Stout Street between Whitmore Street and Bunny Street.
Parking restrictions
Some parking restrictions will be in place for the game.
Before the game, there will parking restrictions from 4pm on both sides of Bunny Street, as well as on Waterloo Quay to
assist traffic turning left into Bunny Street.
There will later be restricted parking on Thorndon Quay near the Stadium entrance/exit spiral and on Mulgrave Street
south of Aitken Street - both roads will be closed to through traffic from 8.30pm.
Stadium parking
Stadium parking on the day will be limited to event parking only. Because the game starts early on a weeknight, there
will be no commuter parking.
ends