History was made at Bay Oval last weekend as more than 11,000 passionate fans packed out the stands to support the Gallagher Chiefs as they faced off against the Western Force.
Fans travelled from across the Bay of Plenty, with supporters arriving from Tauranga, Whakatāne, Rotorua, Taupō, and beyond to get amongst the first regular season fixture in Tauranga for more than a decade. The match was also the first time a Super Rugby Pacific game has been played at the iconic Bay Oval venue.
Chiefs Rugby CEO Simon Graafhuis said feedback after the game has been overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting the family-friendly atmosphere that made it a perfect outing for all ages.
“The atmosphere was electric, and the venue delivered exactly what was promised – an unforgettable live sport experience.”
“People are telling us they appreciated the vibrant crowd, the family-friendly activities on offer, and the affordability of tickets.”
“It’s clear from the response that there’s plenty of appetite to bring top-tier rugby back to the regions. We’re blown away by the support from our Bay of Plenty whānau.”
“Fans were also thrilled to have the opportunity to get up close and personal with their team, we had a lot of happy parents who said the player’s engagement with the kids was amazing.”
Community was central to the experience, with a pre-game ANZAC Day service supported by the Royal Services Association (RSA), a stadium flyover, and a rousing performance from New Zealand singer Cassie Henderson. Local food trucks, giveaways, and fan activities kept the crowd buzzing throughout the evening.
The match was part of a broader vision to engage more directly with regional fans and saw strong support from Tauranga City Council, the Bay Oval Trust, and TECT, who helped bring the event to life alongside match day sponsor Tauranga Crossing.
“We’re incredibly proud of what we achieved on Friday night,” said Graafhuis. “We’ve shown that with the right partnerships and purpose, we can take Super Rugby to new places and make it a celebration of place, people, and passion.”
Plans are already being explored for a potential return in future seasons.
