Supporter at the Fan Fest. Photo: Rayssa Almeida / RNZ
Business owners around Auckland's Eden Park are making the most of the last of the FIFA Women's World Cup games in the city.
Spain will face Sweden in the semi-finals Tuesday evening at the stadium, with tickets sold out days before the match.
In Mt Albert, just a couple of minutes' walk away, hospitality business said the tournament has brought a much-needed boost in revenue.
Sean Lee owns The Bridgman on Dominion Road, and on Tuesday had to build extra tables to be able to fit more customers.
"We are trying to squeeze some more tables where we can. Pretty much every match game we had a full house, it's been magnificent."
He said the games have provided a much-needed bump in revenue for the sector.
"In one of the first games, I opened my window and saw 31,000 people going to Argentina versus Italy, on a Monday night in the middle of the winter.
"It was a terrible cold Monday night when we would have very little trade, but we had a full house. It's been pretty special."
Suzanne Harley, managing director of the Clair Inn restaurant- also on Dominion Road - said every game night brought more and more customers through the door.
"It has definitely brought a different atmosphere to the area, it also brought customers in for early dinners as well.
"We don't take any booking on game days, it's first-in, first-served. We can't really afford to be holding tables, it's really busy."
Harley said it was hard to keep up with the demand.
"We have the full crew onboard, we are busy early, and it turns around fast too. The minute someone leaves the table, someone else takes it. It's been great for business, mostly at this time of the year when we are normally quieter."
She said the tournament brought a breather to the sector after the pandemic.
"Hopefully the tournament brings us more visibility. We have had several customers from all over the country, people that would not have the opportunity to dine with us otherwise.
"Mostly after some cruel years for hospitality, we hope the momentum keeps going."
Dominion Road Business Association manager Gary Holmes said the games had been a welcomed boost to businesses along the road.
"The games have shown that locally held events offer a real bonus to local businesses through increased spending generated from visitors to the games.
"While hospitality has obviously benefited, so also have a host of other local businesses along Auckland's iconic strip."
'Once-in-a-lifetime experience' - fans
Big crowds were continuing to show up at Auckland's FIFA Fan Festival as the final week of the Women's Cup kicked off. Nearly 165,000 fans have visited festivals in the four New Zealand host cities.
Aaliyah's family was one of them. They came from Tauranga to watch Tuesday night's match, the third game they would be watching at the stadium.
Aaliyah's family. Photo: Rayssa Almeida / RNZ
"And this will be the last game in New Zealand, so we thought it would be cool to come along."
A football player since the age of five, she said the tournament would change the way the sport was looked upon.
"The whole thing is pretty amazing, it's incredible how many people showed up to follow women's football, it's just great."
A football and rugby supporter, Aucklander Jenny said experiencing the cup was an once-in-a-lifetime experience.
"I'm very excited, it is just amazing. I got into football when I lived in the UK, and I just think the women's football is outstanding and it was too good of an opportunity to miss - going to the games and experiencing a World Cup.
"I mean New Zealand won't experience this again any time soon, so you got to make the most of it."
US citizens Sidney and Jorge had been in New Zealand for only five days and knew who they were going to support.
"If the US was still in, of course we'd be rooting for them. But in this case, we will have to go for Spain, I can't really support Sweden right now."
Americans Sidney and Jorge. Photo: Rayssa Almeida / RNZ
Sidney believed hosting the tournament in New Zealand would help boost the sport's popularity.
"It sparks conversations and consequently more interest in the sport. And you also get to meet interesting people along the way."
Also from the US, Brandy said she left her family back home to follow the tournament.
"I'm a huge football fan, I just really love it. I ditched my kids in the United States and came by myself to follow a few of the matches.
"Tomorrow I'm flying to Sydney to watch Australia play against England."
Tāmaki Makaurau's fan festival has seen nearly 80,000 fans since it opened, while 297,000 people have attended World Cup matches in Eden Park since the beginning of the tournament.
