Women's World Cup: Eden Park apologises after fire alarm causes fan confusion

Rod Gilmour
·Feature writer
·2 min read
Aug 1, 2023; Auckland, NZL; Fans of the United States after a group stage match against Portugal during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup at Eden Park. Mandatory Credit: Jenna Watson-USA TODAY Sports
USA fans after a group stage match against Portugal during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup at Eden Park. Photo: Jenna Watson-USA TODAY Sports

New Zealand’s national stadium Eden Park has apologised and acknowledged 'concerns raised by some fans' after a fire alarm sounded during the Women’s World Cup match between USA and Portugal on Tuesday.

The incident occurred for several minutes in the second-half, with an announcement blaring, “Attention, attention, the fire alarms are sounding”.

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It also urged fans to find the nearest exit at the stadium, though stands weren’t evacuated and the group stage match continued. It was later declared a false alarm.

According to a report in New Zealand’s Stuff website, some supporters did try to leave their seats with the help of security staff only to find locked doors at stairwells.

“We didn’t really worry, but if it had been a fire then it was interesting that they would lock people in,” a Stuff employee who attended the game told the website.

Portugal's Diana Gomes, left, tackles United States' Sophia Smith during the Women's World Cup Group E soccer match between Portugal and the United States at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Portugal's Diana Gomes tackles United States' Sophia Smith during the Women's World Cup Group E match. Photo: AP Photo/Abbie Parr

There were nearly 43,000 fans in the crowd for the 0-0 result, a record attendance for a women’s sports event in New Zealand.

In a statement to Yahoo News, Eden Park’s CEO Nick Sautner said that the alarm was caused by a sprinkler activated in a retail outlet in one of the stadium’s concourses.

Sautner and fire emergency services were on the scene within three minutes where it was determined there was no safety risk and no evacuation required.

Sautner said: “We are continuing to work with our contractors, FENZ and other agencies to debrief and investigate the incident.

A giant screen show the attendance number for the Women's World Cup Group E soccer match between Portugal and the United States at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Cornaga)
The match saw a record attendance for a women's sporting contest in New Zealand. Photo: AP Photo/Andrew Cornaga

"We acknowledge the concerns raised by some patrons, and these will be looked into as part of our investigation.”

“The safety and enjoyment of spectators during sporting events is of utmost importance to the Eden Park team, and we would like to thank everyone involved for taking prompt action and the fans for their cooperation.”

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The match nearly witnessed defending champions USA exit the World Cup at the group stage exit.

Portugal hit the post late on in the game which would have created one of the greatest upsets in Women’s World Cup history.

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