With just two days to go, eftpos at the stadium was still down yesterday, and Dunedin Venues Management Ltd (DVML) chief executive David Davies implored punters to arrive preferably with tickets, or cash to buy them, and not to turn up 10 minutes before the 2.05pm kick off.
"We are racing against time to get the eftpos back," Mr Davies said.
He was "pretty confident" it would be working by Sunday, but said those attending would be better to get tickets before the games, or turn up about 1pm to make sure there were no problems.
If 7000 people turned up shortly before the game was due to begin, "we will really struggle".
Contractors were yesterday working in most areas of the stadium, as DVML organised for the game between North Otago and West Coast, which was arranged to test the venue.
The fire, last Friday, triggered a large Fire Service turnout at 8.30am.
It started in a communications hub in a control room on the ground floor, and was partially put out by contractors, before being doused by the Fire Service.
Mr Davies said yesterday he understood the fire started from a short in a telecommunications stack.
Insurance assessors were still looking into the issue, and the result of that would not be known for about two weeks.
The cost, though, would be "in my view, substantial" from a relatively small fire.
The fire retardant used to put the fire out had affected other equipment nearby, and warranties were affected.
Three thousand tickets had been sold, but with Dunedin punters' inclination to buy tickets at the last minute, he was concerned people might get stuck in queues if the eftpos could not be fixed.
The fire may also mean weaker mobile phone coverage in the area, so sending photos from mobile phones may be slower than usual.
Other areas of the stadium were more prepared.
Mr Davies said the company was proud of the pitch, which was stable in "its first flush of youth".
People attending the match were urged to park between Minerva St, by the stadium, and the University of Otago, or to park closer to the city and walk, entering from Anzac Ave.
Ticket booths would be open on both the north and south stands.
Mr Davies said the big screen for the stadium, which he had hoped would arrive in time for Sunday's game, had not, but would be in place for the Otago v Manawatu game on August 17.
Food and drink services were also going down to the wire, with two in the north stand that would be open, but others in the south stand less certain.
The stadium's car park, which would not be used for the public on Sunday, would not have marker lines painted on it, so staff would have to help guide vehicles.
Inside the stadium, changing rooms and warm-up rooms for players were ready to go, as were referees' changing rooms and a drug testing room.
Asked how he felt about organisation for the opening game, Mr Davies said "we should be there or thereabouts".
"I've got real concerns around the eftpos. We've done all we can about car parking, and catering will be there or thereabouts.
"If there are queues, I'm apologising now," he said.
"The next 48 hours will be critical."
