Auckland's iconic Eden Park seems set for a major change.
After years of resistance, Newshub has learned that the naming rights for the national stadium have been sold to ASB Bank, meaning 'The Garden of Eden' will be no more.
To date, the Eden Park Trust Board had resisted selling the rights, but Newshub understands financial pressures, due to COVID-19, likely forced its hand.
The new name for the stadium is yet to be confirmed.
The second Bledisloe Cup test on October 18 looks likely to be the first game played under the stadium's new moniker, with the name that has become synonymous with New Zealand's greatest sporting events moments to be consigned to the history books.
Eden Park has hosted a range of classic Kiwi sporting occasions, from the 1950 Empire Games - where Yvette Williams won gold in the long jump - to a pair of Cricket World Cup semi-finals and a couple of triumphant Rugby World Cup finals.
The nation's national code has made the venue a fortress, where the All Blacks haven't lost to their trans-Tasman rivals in 34 years.
All Blacks coaching great Sir Graham Henry was at the helm for a large portion of that winning spell and understands the rationale behind the decision.
"In these times, where money's tough, I guess it's a natural step, but disappointing to some extent," Sir Graham tells Newshub.
But the name change won't "make any difference" to its legacy, Sir Graham insists.
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