History
(1925 as Rugby Park – today as Waikato Stadium)
| 1925 | Rugby Park opened with a new stand 60 ft long |
| 1929 | Hot showers introduced to Rugby Park |
| 1930 | Waikato supplied 14 of 15 players of a combined side, which opposed Great Britain at Rugby Park. Great Britain won 40-16 before a crowd of 13,000. First radio broadcast of match in Hamilton. |
| 1934 | Rugby Park grandstand roof collapsed, no injuries |
| 1937 | South Africa visits Hamilton. Five Waikato players in a combined side, which lost 6-3. A record crowd of 17,553 saw the match at Rugby Park |
| 1956 | Waikato vs. Springboks on 9 June, Waikato won 14 – 10. 31,000 in attendance. Still considered one of the most memorable events at Rugby Park |
| 1958 | Rugby Park upgrade commenced |
| 1959 | Rugby Park new grandstand opened |
| 1981 | Springbok fiasco. One of Rugby Park’s darkest days with tour match called off due to the pitch being invaded by the protesters. |
| 1987 | Rugby Park hosted a World Cup match, Fiji v Argentina. |
| 1996 | Rugby Park had been showing its age and had not had any international rugby since 1987. It was decided that the city needed a new sports stadium to attract sports fixtures and events to the city. The Waikato Regional Sports and Event Centre Trust formed and a grand design was commissioned which was based around the re-development of Rugby Park |
| 2000 | Construction of Waikato Stadium commenced |
| 2002 | Waikato Stadium opened with the first event being a Super 12 rugby match between the Chiefs and the Crusaders |
Construction of Waikato Stadium
Construction of Waikato Stadium from the south east.
Construction of Waikato Stadium with Brian Perry Stand in foreground
Construction of Waikato Stadium looking to the east.
