Fitzherbert Park is a sportsground on Fitzherbert Avenue, in the West End area of Palmerston North, set in the parkland beside the Manawatu River. The park is one of the city’s principal cricket grounds and is a recognised home ground of the Central Districts cricket team, with hockey and rugby league also played at the venue.
The cricket setup at Fitzherbert Park is unusual: the ground has three cricket blocks within one facility (two club blocks and one representative block) plus a practice block. Fitzherbert Park regained its warrant of fitness in the 2021-22 season and now hosts Plunket Shield, T20 and one-day provincial cricket. The ground was renamed from ‘the Sportsground’ to Fitzherbert Park in 1973.
Practical Information
| Location | Fitzherbert Avenue, West End 4410, Palmerston North |
| Sports played | Cricket (primary), hockey, rugby league |
| Cricket layout | Three cricket blocks (two club, one representative) plus a practice block |
| Notable status | Central Districts home ground; hosts Plunket Shield, T20 and one-day provincial cricket since regaining warrant of fitness in 2021-22 |
| History | Originally known as ‘the Sportsground’; renamed Fitzherbert Park in 1973 |
| Facilities | Changing rooms, drinking fountain, parking, seating, shade areas, toilets |
| Dogs | Prohibited |
| Cost | Free entry to grounds; fixtures may be ticketed |
About Fitzherbert Park
Fitzherbert Park sits on Fitzherbert Avenue on the southern side of the central city, in the parkland alongside the Manawatu River. The site has been a city sportsground for over a century. It was known simply as ‘the Sportsground’ until 1973, when it was renamed Fitzherbert Park.
The ground is most-recognised as a cricket venue. It is a home ground of the Central Districts provincial cricket team. Fitzherbert Park’s cricket facilities are unusual in that the single facility houses three cricket blocks – two club blocks and one representative block – alongside a practice block, allowing multiple matches and training to run in parallel.
The ground regained its warrant of fitness for first-class cricket in the 2021-22 season and now hosts Plunket Shield (first-class), T20 and one-day provincial cricket. Hockey and rugby league also use the park outside the cricket season.
Cricket History
Fitzherbert Park has hosted a long list of representative and international cricket. The ground hosted an international women’s match between New Zealand and England in February 2000, alongside its regular Plunket Shield fixtures and Central Districts representative matches.
The three-block setup means Fitzherbert Park can host concurrent matches in a way that single-block grounds cannot. The Central Districts cricket calendar usually includes Plunket Shield, T20 (Super Smash) and one-day matches at the venue. Check ESPNcricinfo or CricHQ for the current season’s fixture list.
Other Sports and Facilities
Outside the cricket season the park is used for hockey and rugby league by local clubs. The pavilion, changing rooms and shade areas support that wider sports use.
The park has changing rooms, drinking fountain, parking, seating, shade areas and toilets. Dogs are prohibited (PNCC official feature listing).
What Visitors Often Say
Cricket fans consistently rate Fitzherbert Park as a strong provincial cricket ground, with the three-cricket-block layout, the Central Districts home-ground status, and the regained warrant of fitness (since 2021-22) all drawing positive specific mentions. The riverside park setting and the established trees give the ground a pleasant atmosphere for spectator days.
Practical observations: check the Central Districts cricket fixture list (ESPNcricinfo / CricHQ) for current matches before turning up; dogs are prohibited on the ground; the pavilion has changing facilities; the riverside parkland setting is part of the appeal; free general access, but specific representative fixtures may charge entry.
Where to Learn More
PNCC: Fitzherbert Park: official Palmerston North City Council page with facilities and location.
Wikipedia: Fitzherbert Park: full ground history, cricket detail and notable matches including the 2000 women’s international.
ESPNcricinfo: Fitzherbert Park: full Cricinfo ground record with fixture archive and statistics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Fitzherbert Park?
Fitzherbert Avenue, West End 4410, Palmerston North – in parkland beside the Manawatu River.
What sports are played there?
Cricket (primary), hockey, and rugby league.
Is it a Central Districts home ground?
Yes. Fitzherbert Park is a recognised home ground of the Central Districts provincial cricket team.
How many cricket blocks?
Three blocks within one facility (two club blocks and one representative block) plus a practice block. Unusual for a single ground.
When did it regain first-class status?
The ground regained its warrant of fitness in the 2021-22 season and now hosts Plunket Shield, T20 and one-day provincial cricket.
When was the ground renamed?
1973. It was originally known just as ‘the Sportsground’.
Are dogs allowed?
No. Dogs are prohibited (PNCC official feature listing).
For more sports grounds, see the parks and reserves hub or the related Ongley Park cricket ground.