United Sports Centre
 Interactive map of United Sports Centre | |
| Former names | Christchurch Football Centre |
|---|---|
| Location | 466 Yaldhurst Road, Russley, Christchurch, New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 43°30′54″S 172°31′43″E / 43.514868°S 172.528624°E |
| Owner | Slava Meyn |
| Operator | Christchurch Football Academy |
| Capacity | 1,000 |
| Surface | Artificial Turf |
| Record attendance | 700 (Christchurch United vs Cashmere Technical, 16 May 2025)[1] |
| Field size | 105 by 68 metres (114.8 yd × 74.4 yd) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 2014 |
| Opened | 11 June 2015 |
| Tenants | |
| Christchurch United (2015–present) South Island United (2026–present) | |
| Website | |
| https://footballcentre.co.nz/ | |
United Sports Centre, is a multi-purpose stadium in the suburb of Russley in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is used for football matches and is the home stadium of Southern League and National League side Christchurch United and OFC Professional League side South Island United.[2][3]
History
In 2014, Christchurch-based Russian businessman Slava Meyn announced that he wanted to build a new football centre in Christchurch worth around $NZ8 million.[4] Meyn bought 8 ha of land facing Yaldhurst Road in December 2012. He purchased a further 12 ha in May 2013. Between 2012 and 2013 he spent $3.5 million for the 20 hectares of land on Yaldhurst Road.[2]
After gaining resource consent in late 2014,[5] on 11 June 2015, Christchurch Football Centre was opened by the then Prime Minister of New Zealand John Key, as the new home of Christchurch United.[6]
Meyn plans to develop the 20-hectare site in Yaldhurst Road further, with a $40 million sports and education centre.[7][2]
References
- ^ "Christchurch United into Chatham Cup final first time since 1991". Christchurch United. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
- ^ a b c "Christchurch City Council may fast-track Russian businessman's sports facility plan". Stuff. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
- ^ "South Island United: What does it mean for you?". cufc.co.nz. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
- ^ "From Russia with a love for football". Stuff. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
- ^ "Council give Russian businessman's dream green light". National Library. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
- ^ "John Key opens Christchurch Football Centre". Stuff. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
- ^ "Slava Meyn's state-of-the-art multimillion dollar sports facility gets a move on". Stuff. Retrieved 29 September 2022.