Auckland Stadiums welcome 220,000 fans through summer

Making the most of fine summer weather and a strong events line up, Auckland Stadiums have reported that over 220,000 visitors were welcomed to its venues.

Operating three stadium venues across the region - Go Media Stadium Mt Smart, Western Springs Stadium and North Harbour Stadium - Auckland Stadiums venues (a division of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited), the full return of stadium events and concerts this summer has had a direct and positive impact on Auckland’s economy, with the hospitality and tourism industries benefitting from the boost in visitor numbers.

Listen In kicked off the concert season with a bang back in October at Go Media Stadium. The venue then welcomed Eden Fest, a brand-new music festival to the Auckland music landscape a week later. Eden Fest’s lineup saw New Zealand superstars SIX60 complimented by international icons like Ms. Lauryn Hill. Later in the summer, rock giants Foo Fighters treated a spirited full stadium crowd to an unforgettable night.

Western Springs Stadium was significantly damaged during the 2023 Auckland Anniversary floods, and while remediation works are ongoing, events have returned. Packed crowds revelled in its reopening as Laneway Festival arrived in the country after a four-year hiatus. A bumper crowd of 20,000 visited the venue to enjoy huge international performers including Dominic Fike and Stormzy. Western Springs Speedway also returned for a shortened season.

Music also returned to the main arena at North Harbour Stadium for the first time in nine years, with Juicy Fest taking over the Albany-based venue in January.

More than 12,000 patrons attended the hip-hop celebration, followed by thousands more filling out North Harbour Stadium Domain just two weeks later for the annual Sunsetter Music, Food & Drink Festival.

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s Director of Auckland Stadiums, James Parkinson says it was special to see Aucklanders and visitors out attending events and revelling in the sunshine, particularly after last year’s washout.

Parkinson noted “we take immense pride in curating diverse and high-quality event programming.

“No matter the size of the event, we aim to create experiences that bring people together to celebrate Tāmaki Makaurau and build social cohesion. Events like these strengthen our region’s identity and create lasting memories while generating economic benefits for Auckland.”

Appetite for events of all types and sizes remains strong. Alongside the international superstars, a host of family-focused events and cultural festivals have been enjoyed throughout the summer period.

Megaland, New Zealand’s biggest inflatable obstacle course, bounced between North Harbour Stadium and Go Media Stadium, and welcomed thousands of excited families over the Christmas period. Western Springs Stadium was the home of Kiwi Slip’N’Slide, where families were able to cool-off on New Zealand’s largest water slide, built into the natural infrastructure at Western Springs using Hauraki Hill.

The events schedule for next summer is already filling up with Pearl Jam returning to New Zealand for the first time in a decade. The American rock heroes announced a headline show at Go Media Stadium in November, with a second show added due to incredible demand.

Key numbers:

• Auckland Stadiums venues welcomed over 220,000 patrons to 26 ticketed events from October 2023 to March 2024.

• 27,000 patrons made use of free public transport with Auckland Transport, via integrated ticketing, to Listen In, Eden Fest, Post Malone, Laneway Festival and Foo Fighters.

• Monthly international visitors to the Auckland region (219,000) were up 27.3% on January 2023 (172,000).

• Event sizes varied from stadium shows and international sport to cultural festivals, junior athletics and family-focused entertainment.

• Events took place at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart, North Harbour Stadium, Western Springs Stadium, Lilyworld Garden Bar & Café.

Upcoming events at Auckland Stadiums Venues:

• February to September - One NZ Warriors NRL - Go Media Stadium

• 6th April - UKF Music Festival - Lilyworld

• 18th April - Megaland- Lilyworld

• 10th & 25th May - Moana Pasifika Super Rugby - Go Media Stadium

• 25th May - Black Ferns vs Wallaroos - North Harbour Stadium

• 8th & 10th November - Pearl Jam - Go Media Stadium

Images: FooFighters at Go Media Stadium (top, credit: Doug Peters), fans at the Laneway Festival at Western Springs Stadium (middle, credit: Photosport) and NRL action at Go Media Stadium as the Warriors welcome the Knights (below, credit: Photosport).