Key facts
| Address | Murrayfield Street, South Dunedin, Dunedin 9012 |
| Capacity | 29,000 seats |
| Build Date | 1883 |
| Closed | 2011 |
Description
Carisbrook was a large venue located in Dunedin, the 2nd biggest city in New Zealand. It used to be the main stadium for international rugby matches. The venue was suitable for different kinds of sports including football, motocross, and cricket. It hosted a range of famous singers, for instance, Joe Cocker who sang in the stadium in the 1990s.
The stadium was constructed in the 1870s, and the first international cricket game was played in 1883. Since 1908 until the closure, the stadium served as a permanent ground for rugby union internationals.
Thanks to floodlights installed in the stadium in the 1990s, the ground could be used at any time of a day. It used to be the home of the Highlanders, Otago and other teams. The stadium’s capacity was approximately 30,000 people, but thanks to temporary seating it could really host 42,000.
For many years, it was possible to stop trains allowing their passengers to watch events happening on the ground. The opportunity stopped being available in 1998 when a new stand was constructed along with corporate boxes. The stadium was known for a special atmosphere, probably, because of the presence of a large number of students in the city.
The closure of the stadium took place in 2011. Since then, the teams that used to use this ground moved to Forsyth Barr as well as Logan Park.
FAQ
Carisbrook Stadium was first used for cricket in 1883, but it became Otago’s home ground for rugby in 1908.
The stadium was named after the estate of early Dunedin settler James Macandrew. The estate itself was likely named after Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight.
Carisbrook primarily hosted rugby union matches, but it was also used for cricket, rugby league, and occasionally for soccer matches.
Carisbrook was often referred to as “The House of Pain,” particularly by the rugby community. This nickname was due to its reputation as a difficult venue for visiting teams, especially when playing against the local Otago team.
At its peak, Carisbrook could hold around 30,000 spectators. However, by the time of its closure, the capacity had been reduced to about 22,000 due to safety concerns and renovations.
Carisbrook hosted its last major rugby match in 2011. It was replaced by the new Forsyth Barr Stadium, which opened in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
After its closure, the Dunedin City Council purchased the stadium. It was eventually demolished in 2013, and the land was later sold for industrial development.
