Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui is hosting to two one-day internationals between the Black Caps and South Africa. The second is on Friday.
It is the first time the Black Caps have played in Tauranga and the first major ODI for 20 years. The games follow on from the ICC World Cup qualifiers at the Bay Oval this year.
A New Zealand Cricket spokeswoman said about 2500 people were at yesterday's match but 4000 had already bought tickets for Friday's match.
Among the keen fans was Adam Hitchiner, 13, who came straight from Tauranga Boys' College to catch the last hours of the match.
"I was looking forward to it all day. Even though I wasn't there for it, the record-setting partnership as my favourite part of the match because it was pretty exciting and everyone is talking about it.
"There's no real other sports that bring world class teams here."
Tourism Bay of Plenty head of marketing and communication Kristin Dunne said the international matches provided the ideal opportunity to showcase Tauranga and the region.
She said the events provided huge publicity for the region and was something they would be chasing in future.
Thousands of people spent the day at Bay Oval yesterday and Ms Dunne said many were from out of town.
She said an advertising campaign had been targeting Aucklanders to watch the cricket and stay for the long weekend and Bay accommodation providers had reported being busy.
Tauranga City Council strategic events manager Pip Loader said the council was aware of the value of major events and their potential for Tauranga.
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"Major events are a significant contributor to the Tauranga economy and add to the vibrancy of the city and help support future growth and prosperity," she said.
"With the Bay Oval, Tauranga Hockey's international-standard facilities, host of the Aims Games, Magic netball and Tall Blacks games at ASB Arena, the Port of Tauranga Half Ironman, as well as our arts and cultural events, Tauranga is on track to play a powerhouse role for events."
Tauranga City Council, a partner of the Bay Oval Trust, is continuing to invest in major events for the city.
In its 2014-15 Annual Plan, Council allocated $382,000 from rates for events in the city as part of its Events Investment Strategy, plus $200,000 from external funders for major events.
The Trust had also spent a further $700,000 to install a sightscreen, Sky TV platform and an embankment at the northern end to increase the crowd capacity to more than 10,000.
Bay Oval general manager Kelvin Jones said yesterday's event went well.
"We had a great day. The weather played ball and we had a solid crowd and the atmosphere was nice and relaxed."
He said he was pleased with the numbers at the match but hoped Friday's game would draw a bigger crowd.
New Zealand Cricket commercial and marketing manager James Wear said playing in Tauranga was exciting.
"This summer is one of the biggest in the history of cricket in New Zealand, and it'll be great to kick things off at New Zealand's newest international cricket venue."
Upcoming events
October 24: One Day International cricket. Black Caps and South Africa at Bay Oval.
January 24/25: JetSprints at Baypark.
February 11, 13, 15: Women's One Day match. White Ferns and England at Bay Oval.
