18 Oct 2023

Eden Park to remain Blues headquarters

10:42 am on 18 October 2023

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Eden Park was conspicuous by its absence when the Blues Super Rugby Pacific draw was released, but the franchise has now confirmed it'll play its Auckland games there for the next two years.

The draw's release led to speculation over the ground's future as the team's base.

Chief executive Andrew Hore said the franchise was looking at whether it needed to give supporters across the region more access to live matches and become less Auckland-centric.

Having now confirmed Eden Park as its headquarters for 2024 and 2025 Hore said "we're very comfortable with where we've landed - it's been a worthwhile process in exploring our options."

Blues CEO Andrew Hore.

Blues CEO Andrew Hore. Photo: Alan Lee/Photosport

The Blues kick off the 2024 Super Rugby season in Whangārei against the Fijian Drua, before returning to Auckland's Eden Park for their remaining home matches against the Crusaders, Western Force, Brumbies, Hurricanes, Highlanders and Chiefs.

"As mentioned when the draw was released, we needed to take some time and talk to our various stakeholders, including our members, to ensure we were making the best decision for the Blues," he said.

"We're also looking forward to hosting several double-header fixtures with our Blues women embarking on an enhanced Super Rugby Aupiki campaign in 2024."

Eden Park has been the Blues home ground since Super Rugby began in 1996.

-RNZ