The refurbished stadium has the honour of hosting both the first and last matches of the tournament. A new South Stand and renovated East Stand will take the capacity to 60,000 - making it the biggest of any stadium at this year’s World Cup.

Based in New Zealand’s biggest city, it will host a total of 11 matches after Stadium Christchurch was forced to forfeit its seven games following February’s earthquake.

As well as hosting the curtain-raiser between New Zealand and Tonga, Eden Park will hold two quarterfinals, both semifinals, the bronze-medal match and the final on October 23.

Also known as the Otago Stadium, this is a new purpose-built 30,000-seater venue for the World Cup which was due to be finished in August.

It will replace the famous old Carisbrook Stadium as the home venue for the Highlanders but several complications during construction led to doubts over whether it would be ready in time.

Featuring a transparent roof held up by five arches, the arena on New Zealand’s south island will provide a unique experience for fans and players. Dunedin will host four pool games, three of which will feature 2003 winners England.

A survivor from the 1987 World Cup, Hamilton will host three group matches.

The ground opened back in 1925 and was known as Rugby Park but in 1996 it was decided that renovation work was needed as it fell into disrepair and had not hosted international rugby since the World Cup.

The redevelopment began in 2000 and two years later the ground was officially opened under its new name. Capable of holding 25,800 spectators, the stadium is the home of Super Rugby side the Chiefs and provincial team Waikato.

Built in 2002 in the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand, this is the smallest stadium to be used at this year’s World Cup with a capacity of 17,000.

It should not be underestimated though, as its compact nature makes for a great atmosphere which has led to the ground gaining a reputation as the ‘Roaring Pen’.

It will host two pool games from Group B in September involving Argentina, Scotland and Romania. Although the stadium is not the official home of any side, it does host the Highlanders for some Super Rugby matches.

The 22,000-seater stadium built in 1952 has had 6,000 extra seats added for the tournament and will host two Group A matches featuring France, Canada and Japan.

McLean Park is primarily a cricket venue and has witnessed five test matches since 1979 and 26 one-day internationals.

It occasionally plays host to Super Rugby matches of the Hurricanes when they are not playing in Wellington and was one of the venues used the last time the World Cup came to New Zealand 24 years ago.

The oldest sporting venue to be used at this year’s tournament first staged cricket matches in the 1880s and rugby has been played there for over 60 years.

It is not the home ground of any team and has been upgraded specifically for the tournament. The capacity of 20,800 makes it the third smallest for the 2011 World Cup and it will host two pool games in September.

The stadium, on New Zealand’s south island, received an official visit from Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip during the royal tour in 1954.

Auckland is the only city to have two World Cup venues. The 25,000-seater stadium in the district of North Shore was built in 1997 and will welcome South Africa twice when they take on Namibia and Samoa.

Like many of the venues, it hosts a variety of sports throughout the year. During its 14 years, it has hosted international rugby union, rugby league and football as it has established itself as one of New Zealand’s best sporting arenas.

Home of North Harbour for the Air New Zealand Cup, it usually hosts the Auckland Blues once a year in the Super Rugby competition.

Stadium Taranaki, as it will be known during the tournament, is usually called the Yarrow Stadium and it has been a regular fixture for Super Rugby and international matches since it opened nine years ago.

Stadium Taranaki, like the Waikato Stadium, is the product of refurbishing an existing ground built in the early 20th century.

Renovations have extended the capacity to over 25,000 and it will see Ireland kick off their quest for glory against the United States on September 11 in one of three group games at the venue.

A previous venue for the World Cup in 1987 and the British and Irish Lions in 2005, Arena Manawatu will provide 18,000 fans with a compact and feisty atmosphere.

Despite being the second smallest stadium, Palmerston North is used to hosting big rugby games throughout the year, including Highlanders Super Rugby games.

It is always packed out and it will no doubt be once again when it hosts two pool games during the World Cup featuring Georgia, Romania and Argentina, who finished third at the last tournament in France.

Following the Christchurch earthquake which caused the city’s withdrawal from the World Cup, the Rotorua International Stadium is now the third biggest stadium to be used this year.

Built in 1911, it has been renovated many times over the years. Despite its capacity of 34,000, it will host just three pool games with arguably its most interesting match being the Group C clash between Ireland and debutants Russia.

The stadium was the venue for the bronze-medal match in 1987 when Wales beat Australia 22-21. Although primarily a rugby stadium, it has a softball field behind the goalline at the northern end.

This venue in New Zealand’s capital city, also known as the Westpac Stadium, opened in 2000 and will be the only ground outside of Auckland to host knockout matches.

It is a multi-purpose venue and main home to the Super Rugby side Hurricanes and Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand’s only A-League soccer team.

The 34,500-seater stadium will be packed when defending champions South Africa begin their defence of the trophy against Wales on September 11.

It will host four other pool matches - including the All Blacks against Canada - and two quarterfinals.

This is now a 30,000-capacity stadium following the completion of a massive redevelopment programme and it is sure to have a bright future as an international sporting venue.

Whangarei, like Rotorua, looks to be underused as it will have just two Pool A games involving relative minnows in Tonga, Canada and Japan. But the Pacific Islanders are expected to bring strong support with them as they look to beat the odds and qualify from a tough group containing France and New Zealand.

Okara Park, built in 1965, is used mostly for rugby union and is the home stadium of Northland Rugby Union.