New Zealand Cricket announces free entry for White Ferns' first home game

The WHITE FERNS opening game of the summer against Australia at the Basin Reserve in Wellington will be Free Entry, New Zealand Cricket has announced.

NZC, through this move, is looking to keep the momentum in behind the newly crowned ICC T20 World Champions.

“The first ODI of the iconic Rose Bowl series on Thursday December 19 will be free to the public, with the hope of strong crowds for all three games of the pre-Christmas series in the capital,” said a statement from NZC.

The Chemist Warehouse ODI series presents a chance for Sophie Devine and her WHITE FERNS to create more history in 2024 with New Zealand having not won the historic Rose Bowl trophy since 1999.

NZC GM Marketing and Communications Stacey Geraghty said the current groundswell of support across the country for the WHITE FERNS had driven the decision to make game one of the series free for fans.

“The WHITE FERNS are a team the New Zealand public are really embracing at present and we’re determined to make the most of it,” she said.

“We’ve seen large crowds of excited fans turning out up and down the country during this week’s WHITE FERNS’ Trophy Tour and we’re now looking to rally even more support for this crunch series leading into Christmas in Wellington.”

With game two of the series on a Saturday (Dec 21) and a potential decider pre-Christmas on Monday December 23, Geraghty was confident the WHITE FERNS would enjoy home ground advantage via their fans.

“Anytime our teams play Australia it’s a big deal, but add on top the 40-year history of the Rose Bowl alongside the recent T20 World Cup triumph, and it makes for a truly mouthwatering encounter.

“Wellington has always shown strong support for women’s cricket and we’re encouraging Wellingtonians once again to get out and support the WHITE FERNS as they try and create more history.”

WellingtonNZ Events and Experience General Manager Heidi Morton added.

“This is a wonderful treat for the city – it’s the end of the school term, almost the end of the year and there’s no better way to celebrate,” she said.

“The WHITE FERNS attract more fans to their matches in Wellington than anywhere else in the country. This tradition is set to continue with free entry on December 19 – an initiative only being offered in Wellington.”

Following on from the successful introduction of poi at last season’s WHITE FERNS matches at the Basin Reserve, poi making stations will once again be set up at the Wellington venue for all three matches against Australia.

“Fans can access free entry tickets for the first ODI online by visiting ticket.nzc.nz, while previously purchased tickets for the match will be fully refunded,” NZC added.

The WHITE FERNS assemble in Wellington ahead of the Rose Bowl series on Monday, December 16.

New Zealand Cricket, Blackcaps, White Ferns, ODI, Australia, Wellington