News

The BNZ Crusaders are preparing to host their first home game of the 2019 season next Saturday night, and new-look Red Zone seating is now available for fans to feel closer to the action than ever before. 

Each Red Zone fan will receive their free T-shirt (pictured above) and flag at next Saturday's match – it will be placed on their seat when they arrive at the ground.

The Red Zone was first introduced last season, to encourage fans to make as much noise as possible while the Crusaders are on attack in the opposition 22-metre area. For the first home game against the Hurricanes, every fan who purchases a ticket in the Red Zone (from the 22-metre line to the dead ball line in the North and South stands) will receive a free Red Zone t-shirt to wear at the game, and a flag. These sections of fans will then be tasked with lifting the noise levels in the stadium, and lifting the team, every time they enter the Red Zone during the match.

BNZ Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge said the new-look Red Zone is one of many initiatives for the 2019 season: “Our events team have looked at a number of innovations, and ways we can take the game-day experience for our fans to a new level this season.

“Crowd participation is vital at our games – a home advantage is often the difference between teams, particularly in a competition as closely-contested as Super Rugby. The support of a loud, enthusiastic fan base is critical to that and we think our fans will really get behind this initiative,” Mr Mansbridge said. 

Head Coach Scott Robertson said the Crusaders region has some of the most passionate rugby fans, and bringing them closer to the action on the field helps to lift the team in close-fought matches: “The players really sense when the fans are engaged, and this year we want our supporters to feel connected to the team, and vice versa. 

“We love playing at home, and putting performances out on the field that Crusaders fans can be proud of. As a team, we talk a lot about what it means to play for the people of this region, so having their noisy support in the stands to boost the team is important,” Robertson said. 

Tickets for the BNZ Crusaders Red Zone are available now, click here to purchase and enter the Promo Code: Red Zone.  Each Red Zone fan will receive their free T-shirt and flag at the match – it will be placed on their seat.