Eden Park looks to raise concert tally

Article posted by Coliseum, August 16^th, 2024

Image: Eden Park, Auckland, TimBray, CC BY-SA 4.0

The operators of New Zealand’s National Stadium Eden Park are hoping to get approval to host more concerts at the venue.

NewstalkZB said the stadium in Auckland is currently permitted to host six concerts a year but that it wants to double that figure to 12.

Eden Park is now encouraging the public to submit their feedback to Auckland Council to support the move.

Eden Park is New Zealand’s national stadium, with a capacity of 50,000. Located in Central Auckland, New Zealand’s largest City, it is three kilometers Southwest of the central business district (CBD), on the boundary between the suburbs of Mount Eden and Kingsland.

It opened in 1900 and the South Stand was rebuilt for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Since 2021, when SIX60 made history as the first band to headline at Eden Park, the stadium has hosted globally renowned artists including Ed Sheeran, Guns N’ Roses, Billy Joel, and P!NK, all performing to sold-out crowds.

Travis Scott and Coldplay will take to the stage at New Zealand’s iconic stadium later this year.

Eden Park’s application includes allowing concerts on Sundays and extending the finish time to 11pm, providing greater flexibility for event scheduling.

The initiative aims to enhance the stadium’s position as a vibrant community asset for Auckland and strategic asset for New Zealand and secure the city as a leading global entertainment destination.

Eden Park Chief Executive, Nick Sautner said, “Increasing the number of concert events will help Auckland, and New Zealand, continue to be an appealing destination for major international tours.

“Concerts at Eden Park have become integral to our country’s cultural landscape, delivering significant socio-economic benefits to our local community and city.

“The current limit of six concert events per year at Eden Park restricts the stadium’s ability to attract and accommodate top-tier international acts. By increasing this limit, Eden Park can offer artists flexibility to perform multiple shows to meet fan demand, making Auckland a more attractive stop on their global tours.”

Recent concerts at Eden Park, such as P!NK’s two performances, have contributed well in excess of NZ$4.26 million to the regional GDP through tourism, accommodation, hospitality, and employment. Each concert event creates over 2,000 job opportunities, reinforcing Auckland’s reputation as a modern, world-class destination for tourists and performers.

Sautner added, “Live events such as concerts provide escapism and entertainment for people.

“We have proven we can deliver large-scale international concerts successfully and with an overwhelming 95% of our local community in support of concerts, we want to have the option to bring more world-class entertainment to our city.”

In a recent survey of over 1,500 local residents, over 90% of respondents said they would support Eden Park hosting 6 artists playing up to 12 shows in a calendar year, with more than 93% saying they would want New Zealand’s national stadium to host Taylor Swift.

Sautner also said that 70% of the venue’s current revenue streams did not exist five years ago, reflecting the evolving landscape of the stadium and events industry.

This presents unprecedented opportunities for innovation, sustainability, and diversity, contributing to memorable experiences for fans and communities.

He added, “We look forward to working with Auckland Council and our community to make this vision a reality, ensuring Eden Park continues to be a cornerstone of Auckland’s cultural and economic vibrancy.”

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