Lots to see and do for rugby fans on game day

Free CityLink buses for rugby fans will run from Kamo, Onerahi, Maunu, Tikipunga, Otangarei, Morningside and Raumanga to drop off areas on Port Rd on June 3. PHOTO/NZME

There will be lots to see and do for rugby fans when the British and Irish Lions play in Whangarei, including free buses to Toll Stadium and late-night fun at watering holes in town.

The Whangarei District Council is finalising details about a range of activities leading up to and during the June 3 match to be watched live by 22,000 people, including an estimated 2000 Lions' fans. The match is expected to have an international TV audience of up to 23 million.

In Whangarei, the hospitality sector is bracing for a large influx of people after the game, and the likes of McMorrissey's Irish Pub and Eatery in Whangarei has applied to WDC for a special licence to accommodate 400 patrons from 2pm that day. Their normal capacity is 220.

Operations manager Amitesh Chandra said the footpath in front of the pub as well as three parking spaces on the street would be enclosed to cater for a large crowd expected to party for most of the night. McMorrissey's has a liquor licence to open until 3am daily.

An Irish band will play from 4pm followed by Northland-based rock and pop covers band Gold Cloaks from 9.30pm.

"Even Friday before game day will be another busy day. We expect Irish rugby fans to pop over for Guinness and Kilkenny beers and for English to order Boddingtons," he said.

Mr Chandra will hire seven bar staff and another seven security guards to ensure things run smoothly.

Other bars to open will be Dicken Inn until 2am, Bacio until 3am, Killer Prawn Restaurant and Bar until 3am, and Pure Bar and Grill which is putting up local two-piece band Delta Keys between 9pm and midnight. Pure has a licence to open until 3am.

For local rugby fans, special CityLink buses will run until 2pm from Kamo, Onerahi, Maunu, Tikipunga, Otangarei, Morningside and Raumanga to drop-off areas on Port Rd. All free buses will go to Port Rd via the Rose St bus terminal.

Those in town can join the Fan Trail - a walk from Cameron St laneway to the stadium - starting at 2pm or be part of the late lunch at the laneway from 2pm to 5.30pm.

A "best dressed shop window" competition has been organised for retailers, with the winner getting a $200 Quay restaurant voucher. Email sarah.archer@wdc.co.nz to register.

Stan Walker, Troy Kingi and Maisey Rika kick-off the Lions' series pre-match entertainment at the stadium.

The celebrated singers will perform Aotearoa which was created in 2014 to celebrate Maori Language week.

WDC expects 90 per cent of the 22,000 tickets to be sold before the end of this week. Only general admission tickets are available and can be bought from the venue on June 3 if there are any left.