'Really hot': One NZ Stadium hits sweltering 31C during afternoon rugby

Parts of Christchurch’s covered One New Zealand stadium reached a sweltering 31C on Sunday as fans flocked to the rugby.

One New Zealand Stadium, which opened in April, hosted both a National Provincial Championship (NPC) quarter-final and the final of the women’s Farah Palmer Cup.

While MetService reported temperatures in the low 20s outside, parts of the stadium reached 25C under the roof, while areas in direct sun hit 31C.

Parts of One New Zealand stadium reached a sweltering 31C on Sunday. Photo / Alyse Wright

Venues Ōtautahi chief executive, Caroline Harvie-Teare, said given the size of the stadium, the temperature “varied significantly around the venue”.

“Some parts of the stadium reached a high of 25 degrees, while others in direct sun hit 31 degrees,” she said.

Harvie-Teare said Sunday was “the warmest the venue has been on an event day so far”.

“While very warm in parts, noting the main bowl is not an air-conditioned space, these temperatures align with the modelling, which forecasts the venue, whether cooler or warmer, will generally be within 5 degrees of the outside temperature.

“It is naturally warmest in areas in direct sunlight and those in the University of Canterbury East Stand would have noticed the temperature drop when they entered the shade of the concourse.”

Venues Ōtautahi chief executive, Caroline Harvie-Teare. Photo / Alyse Wright

The stadium’s two main cooling features are the louvres on the facade, which allow for more airflow, and the 12 large fans, Harvie-Teare said.

“We also have supplementary misting fans, generally used for turf management, which can be activated outside of broadcast sporting events around the edge of the field of play,” she said.

“Including these supplementary systems, which we can deploy for concert events, we are confident the systems will be able to provide sufficient cooling through Summer.”

However, Harvie-Teare said that while the large fans were operating on Sunday, they “were not operating at capacity”.

“We will continue to review what the best deployment of the temperature controls available to us is for future events to ensure the venue is comfortable for guests,” she said.

“We’d like to take this opportunity to remind guests attending the stadium that while the stadium is under a roof, outside of the wind and rain, weather conditions will be within range of what you will be experiencing outside, including the fact you can still get sunburnt.

“Our advice for all guests enjoying events in the venue is to prepare for attending the Stadium as you would for any outdoor event.”

Gangway view of One NZ Stadium. Photo / Alyse Wright

Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger said he had spoken with people at the game who relayed the venue had been “really hot”.

“It was an afternoon game, and the sun was really streaming down in there,” Mauger said.

“In the evening, you’re a lot better off.”

“There’s a lot of young people there and families there, kids running around all over the place because it’s an afternoon game.

“I’m sure we’re going to have more hot games coming up.

“There’s not much you can do about that. But I tell you what, when it’s hosing down with rain, we’ll be happy that it’s got a roof.”