ILT Celebrates 80th Birthday with Rugby, Fireworks, and Live Music

• ILT teams up with Southland Stags for a celebratory event marking their 80th anniversary.
• The event features a grand fireworks display and a performance by Sam Cullen.
• Standard game tickets cover entry to the event, ensuring accessible fun for all.

ILT is celebrating its 80th birthday with a special event in collaboration with the Southland Stags. The celebration, set for Saturday, August 24th at Rugby Park, will coincide with the Stags’ game against Taranaki, starting at 7:05 PM.

Fans attending the game will enjoy a spectacular fireworks display and a live music performance by Southland-born artist Sam Cullen. Cullen will perform at halftime and after the match, adding to the festive atmosphere. Tickets for the game, which include these special events, are priced at $20 for adults. Additionally, two children aged 13 and under can enter free with each adult ticket, making the celebration accessible for families.

Chris Ramsay, ILT’s chief executive, expressed his excitement about the celebration, stating, “Rugby Park hasn’t been the site of a large fireworks display for many years and we’re pleased to be bringing this event to the city for our 80th. It’s fantastic to team up with our community partners the Southland Stags and we acknowledge the work that they’ve done in the lead up to this special occasion.”

Paddy O’Brien, ILT chair, shared his enthusiasm: “Birthdays are the best excuse for a party, and what better way to celebrate than with a spectacular fireworks display and live music at Rugby Park. We look forward to seeing families and fans come together for a night of celebration.”

Jack King, Commercial and Marketing Manager at Rugby Southland, highlighted the collaboration’s significance: “We’ve been working for months to make this event a reality, and it’s wonderful to see it all coming together. Thanks to ILT, who are large supporters of sport in Southland and have been instrumental in rugby’s stronghold in the region, this will be a night to remember for our fans and the community.”

Tickets can be purchased at here While the fireworks display is a special addition to the game, no refunds will be provided if it is postponed. In case of bad weather, the fireworks display will be rescheduled to Friday, September 13th, during the Stags’ game against Canterbury, also at 7:05 PM.

Don’t miss this memorable evening at Rugby Park, where rugby, music, and fireworks come together to celebrate ILT’s eight decades of service to the Invercargill community.