World Cup Football Fever coming to New Zealand
One of the biggest global sporting events is coming to New Zealand. From May 30 to June 20, 2015, the FIFA U-20 World Cup is being held in Aotearoa – and Motorhome Republic can’t wait. Across seven cities in the North and South Islands, 24 teams will compete for the coveted trophy. It’s the perfect opportunity for a camping adventure, combining the beautiful landscapes of New Zealand with your favourite teams and one of the most prestigious carnivals on the footballing calendar. Follow Motorhome Republic for itinerary ideas, match and ticket information and so much more…
From Maradona to Messi
The tournament first kicked off in 1977 as the FIFA World Youth Championship and the New Zealand edition will be the 20th birthday. It’s been blessed with a glittering history and previous winners such as Argentina (six times), Brazil (five) and the 2013 champions France – who have unfortunately failed to make it this time around. Players to have graced the U-20 World Cup include Diego Maradona, John Obi Mikel, Davor Suker, Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero – so it’s a fantastic opportunity for Kiwis and international travellers to see some of the finest footballing talent on the planet.
Campervanning Kiwi-style
New Zealand has become one of the most popular destinations on the planet, with the UK Daily Telegraph even ranking it No.1. So… Motorhome Republic is working hard to ensure there are plenty of options for you to rent a campervan between May and June 2015 in our stunning country. The seven cities hosting matches are:
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Auckland, North Harbour Stadium.
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Christchurch, Christchurch Stadium.
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Dunedin, Otago Stadium (Forsyth-Barr)
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Hamilton, Waikato Stadium.
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New Plymouth, Stadium Taranaki.
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Wellington, Wellington Regional Stadium (Westpac)
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Whangarei, Northland Events Centre
Follow your team from city to city
Football fans are spoilt for choice, with 52 games to pick from. And while some of the qualification places are still to be decided, we already know that New Zealand (as hosts), Austria, Germany, Hungary, Portugal, Serbia, Ukraine, Myanmar, North Korea, Qatar and Uzbekistan are definitely coming.
The games themselves have been spread out quite evenly amongst the regions, with eight group matches in Wellington, seven in Hamilton, Dunedin and Christchurch, six in New Plymouth, five in Auckland and four in Whangarei. The final itself is at North Harbour Stadium.
Endless travel possibilities
There are many advantages to hiring a campervan for the New Zealand U-20 World Cup. The games encompass the full geographical spectrum, from Whangarei in the very north to Dunedin down south. All of the venues have a wonderful tourism reputation, with the unique culture of Wellington, picturesque and idyllic Whangarei and the South Island wonders of Dunedin. The tournament also takes place in autumn, which is a stunning season for us. Temperatures are still relatively warm and it’s a great time to hit the road in a campervan rental.
Motorhome Republic road-trip itineraries
The beauty of an international sports event is the opportunity to combine match tickets with a rental holiday to remember. Here at Motorhome Republic we will be updating the site with specific itinerary ideas after the draw is made on February 10, 2015. Perhaps you would like to take a road-trip from Auckland to Whangarei; or what about seeing some games in Dunedin, then driving across to picturesque Queenstown for a few days. The choices are endless…
So get on-board the Motorhome Republic U-20 World Cup campaign. From itineraries to information and news on the tournament, you will find it all here. Twenty-five thousand tickets have already been sold – don’t miss out on what promises to be a feast of football!
Popular spots to begin your NZ campervan adventure include Queenstown, Nelson, Rotorua and Taupo.
Written By: Alex Bell
A journalist and editor for nearly two decades, I am originally from London but proudly call New Zealand home. Having travelled the South Island in a campervan, I know exactly how liberating motorhomes and campers can be. It’s a great opportunity to be part of Motorhome Republic, as we look to educate and encourage people to hit the road in what is, essentially, a portable hotel! I will be creating interesting industry articles, travel itineraries, road-trip ideas, movies and so much more. Come along for the ride!
A journalist and editor for nearly two decades, I am originally from London but proudly call New Zealand home. Having travelled the South Island in a campervan, I know exactly how liberating motorhomes and campers can be. It’s a great opportunity to be part of Motorhome Republic, as we look to educate and encourage people to hit the road in what is, essentially, a portable hotel! I will be creating interesting industry articles, travel itineraries, road-trip ideas, movies and so much more. Come along for the ride!
