Auckland enjoying massive summer of concerts and events

Described by Regional Facilities Auckland (RFA) as offering its “biggest ever entertainment line-up”, an extensive program of events and concerts is on target to generate more than $50 million in visitor spending this summer - eclipsing all previous records.

Concerts and major events in venues such as Mt Smart and Western Springs stadiums and The Civic are set to attract more than 394,000 people to the end of March. Over the next six months, visitors to RFA’s stadium events alone will peak at around half a million visitors.

Of those attending events in city, more than 168,000 will travel from outside Auckland, making the ‘gig economy’ a significant contributor to Auckland’s tourism industry.

The schedule commenced in November with Les Misérables at The Civic, and Irish juggernaut U2 kicking off its much-anticipated Asia-Pacific Joshua Tree Tour at Mt Smart Stadium on 8th and 9th November, followed by Mt Smart demonstrating its versatility once again to host New Zealand’s largest international Supercross and off-road motorcycling event, the Monster Energy S-X Open on 16th November.

The sold-out U2 gigs have been followed by a capacity crowd for Sir Elton John; stage shows including The Book of Mormon, Mary Poppins and Snow White; and other popular events such as Auckland Zoo’s ‘Open Late’ nights and the Auckland Tuatara in the Australian Baseball League.

Explaining that Auckland has now entrenched itself as New Zealand's entertainment capital, RFA Chief Executive Chris Brooks stated “over the past eight years, we have successfully positioned Auckland as a vibrant summer entertainment destination where you can attend major international touring concerts, blockbuster musicals, exhibitions and festivals.

"This has a significant flow-on effect for Auckland's economy, including the accommodation, hospitality and tourism sectors.

"It is extremely rewarding to see the huge economic and cultural benefits our activities bring to the city - and this summer will be our biggest yet."

RFA says the two U2 concerts at Mt Smart Stadium, the Green Day musical American Idiot which has been held at The Civic and the Les Miserables production at the same venue would have combined ticket sales topping 100,000.

Seven major events last summer at three Auckland Council venues - Mt Smart Stadium, Western Springs and The Civic - pumped in at least $21 million into the Auckland economy.

Those events - which attracted more than 200,000 people to them - included concerts by Taylor Swift, Mumford & Sons, Fat Freddy's Drop and Six60, plus Disney's Aladdin, and the Auckland round of the Monster Energy S-X Open.

About 40% of those who attended the 2018/19 events had travelled from outside Auckland.

Images: U2 on stage (top) and the Book of Mormon - which is set to a huge stage show at The Civic in March (below).