Can't say the 'sit down' brigade weren't warned well in advance.
I'm gonna say booking Addington, is for the moment due to a 'likely not ready' issue at Te Kaha.
Otherwise why would the Nix yes take the last 'home' game of the season to ChCh if there still wan't some chance yet, it could be at Te Kaha.
Noting I see Sky Stadium looks unbooked that weekend of 18th April.
The first sports event at Forsyth Barr in Dunners was pre-season match between the Nix and Roar in August 2011, with an attendance of over 15,000. A test event for the following 2011 RWC.
I'm sure the Te Kaha operators would rather discover issues/learnings with the new ground before the high profile Super Rugby Round rocks into town, with games every day over about 4 days during ANZAC Day weekend.
Can see some of those rugby days selling out, and those fans won't be happy if the cash/eftpos registers or ticket machines don't work, the toilet & beer queues are long etc etc. They will be keen to run a half the ground open test event for sure
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/11/20/wellington-phoenix-to-end-mens-a-league-season-with-match-in-christchurch/
Phoenix general manager David Dome said: “We’ve always had great support in Ōtautahi from the public and from our friends at Mainland Football.
I'm gonna say booking Addington, is for the moment due to a 'likely not ready' issue at Te Kaha.
Otherwise why would the Nix yes take the last 'home' game of the season to ChCh if there still wan't some chance yet, it could be at Te Kaha.
Noting I see Sky Stadium looks unbooked that weekend of 18th April.
The first sports event at Forsyth Barr in Dunners was pre-season match between the Nix and Roar in August 2011, with an attendance of over 15,000. A test event for the following 2011 RWC.
I'm sure the Te Kaha operators would rather discover issues/learnings with the new ground before the high profile Super Rugby Round rocks into town, with games every day over about 4 days during ANZAC Day weekend.
Can see some of those rugby days selling out, and those fans won't be happy if the cash/eftpos registers or ticket machines don't work, the toilet & beer queues are long etc etc. They will be keen to run a half the ground open test event for sure
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2025/11/20/wellington-phoenix-to-end-mens-a-league-season-with-match-in-christchurch/
Phoenix general manager David Dome said: “We’ve always had great support in Ōtautahi from the public and from our friends at Mainland Football.
“I expect it’ll be no different come April.
“It will be the men’s final home match of the regular season and a vital fixture as they push for the finals.
“We would love to play at One New Zealand Stadium if it opens early, but we know Cantabrians create a great atmosphere at Apollo Projects Stadium that the players really enjoyed last season.
“I look forward to seeing the Cantabs turn out in force in April.”
The Phoenix say there will be an active home supporters bay at Apollo Projects Stadium, where fans will be standing, chanting and drumming, and won’t be sitting in their allocated seats.
The general public can buy tickets in this area of the Yellow Fever zone from Tuesday, November 25, by entering the password FEVERSTANDING, as long as they know what is expected in that bay.