[InKunming--Sister Cities]  An array of kick-off times to suit football fans of all ages has been confirmed for the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015.

With 52 matches spread across the nation, the public will be able to enjoy a collection of day and night games, on both week days and weekends.

To ensure New Zealand’s ‘Football Family’ is at the heart of this supreme football global event, the seven football federations will all host games in their region and registered footballers get first access to the tickets during an exclusive three week window, beginning April 28.

Stadium Taranaki will host six matches in total, including two double-headers during group match play. The first is on Queen’s Birthday, Monday 1 June with family-friendly afternoon kick-off times at 1pm and 4pm. The next pair of matches are on Thursday 4 June at 4pm then 7pm. Afternoon football then continues that weekend with a match on Sunday 7 June at 5pm. The final game at Stadium Taranaki is a Round of 16 match on Thursday 11 June at 7.30pm.

“The confirmation today of these match times at Stadium Taranaki is exciting,” says Central Football CEO John McGifford. “There are 156 clubs and around 12,500 registered players in the Central Football region and we know there is a huge amount of interest in these matches. The talent on display will be top class and feature future global stars and we urge football fans to get in early and purchase tickets.”

Says New Plymouth District Council Manager Recreation and Events Ron Murray: “The FIFA U-20 World Cup will be a huge international sporting highlight for 2015, and Stadium Taranaki is set for a spectacular 10 day celebration of dynamic and exciting football. This will be fantastic not just for football players and spectators in our region but all of our local community.”

Quarter-finals action in Auckland, Hamilton, Christchurch and Wellington will see four matches on Super Sunday 14 June with two matches kicking off at 1pm in Hamilton and Christchurch, then 4.30pm in Wellington and Auckland.

The world’s top four U-20 teams will have semi-finals on Wednesday 17 June at 4pm in Christchurch and 7.30pm in Auckland. Saturday 20 June is the finale with the finals double-header at North Harbour Stadium. Kicking off at 1.30pm is a third and fourth place showdown, followed by the big one, the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2015 Final at 5pm.

“We are thrilled with the excellent kick-off times negotiated with FIFA. Although subject to host broadcaster sign-off, we are in a great position to ensure that everyone will get to see the world’s greatest emerging football stars on our soil. With outstanding value venue packs on sale soon, this will be real value for money entertainment,” says LOC New Zealand 2015 CEO Dave Beeche.

Tickets go on sale to the football family from 28 April 2014 and then general public sales will commence on 13 June 2014, with venue packs discounted by a minimum of 20 per cent in 2014 and a five per cent cash rebate will go back to football clubs across New Zealand.

“These are exciting times for football fans in New Zealand – FIFA’s second largest global football event is coming here, and the big names of tomorrow will be discovered at our football grounds. It really will be a showcase and a football festival like Kiwis have never seen before,” says Mr Beeche.