Fan Trail back for Bledisloe Cup

Auckland is bringing back the Fan Trail when the city hosts the Bledisloe Cup Test at Eden Park later this month.

Mayor Len Brown says the Fan Trail became one of Auckland’s “must do” activities during Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011) and he is delighted to see it reactivated.

“The Fan Trail defied the sceptics and became one of the biggest hits of Rugby World Cup in Auckland,” Len Brown says. “Visitors and locals loved the Fan Trail and more than 120,000 fans walked to Eden Park for matches.”

Len Brown says the Fan Trail has the potential to become a signature feature of Auckland major events at Eden Park and elsewhere and will help build on Auckland’s growing reputation as a major events destination.

“Add to that the fact that it eases the pressure on match day traffic and transport as well as reducing the environmental impact of major events and it’s a winner all round,” he says.

“If you walked the Fan Trail during RWC 2011, you will want to do it again. If you didn’t, this is your chance to see why RWC 2011 fans couldn’t get enough of it.”

Len Brown says August 25 will be a very special day for Auckland with a Cure Kids Bledisloe Cup Fanzone at the Cloud followed by the Bledisloe Cup Fan Trail and the All Blacks taking on the Wallabies at Eden Park in the city’s biggest sporting event of the year.

Come rain or shine on August 25, the 4.3km walking route will start in the city at Queen Elizabeth Square (opposite Britomart Station) from 4pm onwards.
The Fan Trail will be run by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development, who developed and delivered the initiative for RWC 2011.

This year’s version will feature entertainment for all ages including the likes of lighting installations, stilt walkers, jugglers, DJs, burlesque dancers, cultural dancers and flash mobs. There will also be numerous opportunities to stop along the route and enjoy food and beverages at existing outlets and temporary Fan Trail sites.

The route will be identical to that used successfully during RWC 2011, starting at Queen Elizabeth Square and passing through some of Auckland’s signature locations – Queen St, Aotea Square, Myers Park, St Kevin’s Arcade, Karangahape Rd, Great North Rd, Bond St, Sandringham Rd and Wairepo Swamp Walk – and ending at Eden Park.

The Fan Trail can be walked in under an hour, but fans are encouraged to take their time and allow up to two hours to enjoy all the activities along the way.
Visit www.aucklandnz.com for further information.

FanTrail_Map.pdf

ENDS

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