AMI Stadium, Christchurch

Bought for 2,500 pounds in 1880, this ground has hosted sporting events such as athletics, cycling, soccer and trotting apart from the usual rugby and cricket. Formerly known as the Lancaster Park and the Jade Stadium, the AMI Stadium is situated at Christchurch, New Zealand. Lancaster Park became Jade Stadium in 1998 after Jade Software Corporation Limited bought the rights to the stadium. AMI Insurance Limited subsequently took over the rights from the former owner and thus the present name. In 1995, the Hadlee stand was established in tribute of the great New Zealand fast bowler, Sir Richard Hadlee. Hadlee took 76 wickets at an average of 21.5 here at his home ground. The AMI stadium was the first stadium in New Zealand to have light towers which were established in 1996 and allowed day and night matches to be played here. Interestingly in 1883, a cricket game was stalled for two hours at this venue so that a rugby match could be played. The current capacity of this stadium is 36,500 people. However there are plans to increase the seating capacity at this stadium for the 2015 Cricket World Cup. The first Test match played at the AMI stadium was between New Zealand and England in 1930.