Wellington ready for ICC Cricket World Cup

As the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 opening ceremony takes centre stage, Wellington is ready to play host to some of the world’s best cricketers.

Next Friday’s (20th February) match between New Zealand and England has been one of the fastest selling fixtures across the tournament, with eager fans around New Zealand and oversees having already snapped up all available tickets.

Looking forward to the event, Wellington’s Mayor, Celia Wade-Brown explains “when it comes to host cities, Wellington is the all-rounder on the tournament team.

“The city will be a hive of activity during the ICC Cricket World Cup, with free concerts and outdoor films, stunning street performances, and a Village Green fan hub in the heart of the city, complete with cricket pitch and pavilion.”

Wellington Deputy Mayor Justin Lester says the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 is projected to return significant economic impact, adding “the estimated additional direct expenditure of the four matches allocated to Wellington, including two matches featuring England, at least one match featuring the Black Caps and a quarterfinal is $26 million.”

The Village Green at Civic Square opens next Wednesday (18th February) and runs throughout the tournament, with outdoor films, backyard cricket, and cultural performances in the lead up to each of the games. On selected days ahead of each match there will be performances, face painting, a photo booth and games on the Village Green turf.

Not far from The Village Green at Waitangi Park, The Waterfront Double-Header twilight concerts will be taking place 18th and 19th February featuring leading Wellington musicians including Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra and the award-winning Trinity Roots. There’ll also be a bustling food market onsite featuring a taste of Wellington cuisine for hungry locals and tourists.

Back at the Village Green, on the Saturday nights of 21st and 28th February and 11th and 20th March,Cadbury Films by Starlight will be playing a selection of free evening films from dusk, including New Zealand classic Goodbye Pork Pie, and Fire in Babylon - a documentary about the record-breaking West Indies cricket team of the 1970s and 1980s.

The Wellington City Council run events during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 will show visitors and locals alike that this city does live up to the reputation of being ‘the coolest little capital in the world.’

Mayor Wade-Brown concluded “our goal is to make every game feel like a home game, no matter where you are from.”

ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 matches in Wellington:

• Friday 20th February - England vs New Zealand
• Sunday 1sy March - England vs Sri Lanka
• Thursday 12th March - South Africa vs UAE
• Quarterfinal: Saturday 21st March - TBC vs TBC

More information is available at wellington.govt.nz/cricketworldcup

8th February 2015 - POLICE WELCOME IMPROVED CROWD BEHAVIOUR AT WELLINGTON SEVENS

6th February 2015 - SMART NEW CRICKET PROGRAMME FOR NEW ZEALAND SCHOOLS