Date: 08 October 2026

There’s a new game plan to get fans to and from the sold-out Bledisloe Cup test at Eden Park this Saturday 

It’s a great time for people to give public transport a go and explore the new network with free bus and train travel from 3pm included with a match ticket. 

Auckland Transport Operation Centre (ATOC) Event Planning Lead Todd Hurley says the City Rail Link means getting to Eden Park is faster and easier, with more trains running directly from the city centre than ever before and direct journeys from the east to Kingsland Station.  

“We’re pulling out all the stops, with extra buses and trains at the busiest points, increased train capacity with six-car trains, additional trains from the west and between Waitematā Station and Kingsland,” says Todd Hurley. 

“Just like a rugby team we are utilising our full squad with trains supported by special event buses for the North Shore, city centre and eastern suburbs." 

Transfer points before the game will be popular, so AT is advising customers coming from the south to change trains at Ōtāhuhu or one of the city stations for the smoothest journey. 

“After the match, we’re attacking on both wings and up the middle to clear crowds as soon as possible.  Trains to the west will leave from Morningside, while trains heading towards the east, south and city centre will leave from Kingsland station,” says Todd Hurley. 

Using both stations allows trains to be banked up between Morningside and Kingsland, ready to load and depart so crowds can be cleared as quickly as possible. 

“Just like sporting events around the world customers should still expect queues and busy crowds as 50,000 people will be leaving the match at once. A six-car train can carry about 1,000 people, so it takes time for each train to load,” says Mr Hurley. 

“Fans can avoid the busiest queues by checking train and express bus wait times, allowing extra time, or enjoying some local hospitality before leaving,” says Mr Hurley. 

Approximate wait times will be shared outside stations, on the Auckland Transport (AT) website and in the AT Mobile app, which are also the places to go to check the best travel options. 

Staff will be on hand to help direct people, and fans should listen for announcements and follow directions for a smooth exit. 

 Plan your journey to Eden Park and home again

“With tens of thousands of people travelling to and from Eden Park, fans should have a plan, know their route and allow extra time. Checking options before leaving home will help customers avoid the biggest crowds and enjoy a smoother journey,” Mr Hurley says. 

For people not going to the game but needing to travel between east and west Auckland late on Saturday night, there will be replacement buses between Morningside and Kingsland stations or regular bus services. 

Please visit the AT event page for more information. 

Key travel information 

Travel by train: 

• East West and Onehunga West trains will take fans directly to Kingsland Station, across the road from Eden Park.  

• There will be additional East West trains departing from Waitematā stopping at all stations to Kingsland. 

• Customers travelling from the south on the South City line should transfer to the East West line at Ōtāhuhu or one of the city stations. 

• After the match, head west and take the E-W from Morningside Station (both platforms). To head to the city, take the E-W from Kingsland to Waitematā or Manukau from Platform 2. To head east take the E-W from Kingsland Platform 2 all the way to Manukau. To head South, take the S-C to Ōtāhuhu via Grafton and Newmarket from Platform 1 and change to another South City line train at Ōtāhuhu to continue towards Pukekohe. To head to Onehunga, take the S-C from Platform 1 and transfer to an O-W train at Penrose.  

• Customers can also transfer to the South City line at city centre stations including Te Waihorotiu. 

Travel by bus: 

• Special event buses will run about every 10 minutes from 4pm from three locations: the North Shore along the Northern Busway, starting at Albany Bus Station, the City Centre departing from 120 Quay Street, and Eastern suburbs from Botany via Pakuranga 

• After the match, special event buses will leave the Eden Park bus hub for all Northern Busway stations and Eastern suburbs stopping at Stop 6062 Pakuranga Plaza and Stop 6779, Chapel Road, Botany. City centre buses depart from corner of New North Road and Sandringham Road. 

-ENDS-

About Auckland Transport

Auckland Transport helps Aucklanders move and connect every day through great public transport across Tāmaki Makaurau. Our role is to provide convenient, reliable, safe and accessible public transport services.

Our integrated public transport network carries large numbers of people each day in an efficient and sustainable way, as a key part of Auckland’s wider transport system.

AT is now solely focused on operating Auckland’s large and growing public transport network, while Auckland Council takes over responsibility for AT’s other former functions – road and footpath maintenance, improvements, transport planning, design and delivery of transport projects, public parking, active modes, and public transport infrastructure.

The AT media team can help with requests about the below, for all other transport requests please contact the Auckland Council media team.

• Public transport - bus, train and ferry services.
• Public transport timetable changes.
• Public transport fares.
• Public transport ticketing, HOP cards and contactless payments.
• Public transport facilities.
• Journey planning and travel information.