Forsyth Barr Stadium welcomes more than a million event patrons

More than one million people have attended events at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin since it opened in 2011.

Opened by New Zealand Prime Minister John Key on 5th August 2011, the venue’s visitor total stood at 953,482 people up until 30th June 2014.

Since then the stadium has hosted several large sporting and entertainment events, most notably the Rod Stewart concert on 11th April 2015, attended by 22,000 people, pushing total patronage to over 1.1 million visits.

Upcoming events include a Neil Diamond concert on 24th October, a sold-out Fleetwood Mac concert on 18th November and Black Sabbath on 30th April next year.

Other acts to have played the venue include Elton John, Aerosmith and Paul Simon.

Commenting on the Rod Stewart concert, Terry Davies, Chief Executive of venue managers Dunedin Venue Management Limited (DVML) stated “Rod fans from around the country enjoyed a string of hits from an artist who defied his years as he strutted his stuff under the roof.” 

Davies is pushing for the Stadiums to become the South Island's number one concert venue, and, with Black Sabbath’s only other New Zealand concert being at Auckland's Vector Arena, believes both venues are becoming the choice of many promoters.

Davies said the partnership with Vector Arena should help to ensure "we become the exclusive South Island venue" for many future acts.

He is also aiming to attract more contemporary acts believing it is "critical to tap into the youth market".

"(We) need to get a Katy Perry or Taylor Swift and mix it up a bit."

Sporting events account for the majority of Forsyth Barr Stadium’s annual patronage  – around 200,000 people – with Davies adding “there's no real right mix for the stadium".

"The aim is for diversification of product for the wider community, maximum utilisation whilst also making a commercial return and contributing to the city's economy.”

Of the 22,000 fans who attended the Rod Stewart concert an estimated 68% were from outside of Dunedin, giving an economic benefit of $7.2 million to the city.

The 28,000-strong crowd at last year's All Blacks v England test match included 60% from outside of Dunedin, with the economic benefit recorded as $8.15 million.

The stadium will also host an All Blacks v Wales test match in June 2016, the Highlanders v British Lions in June 2017 and a test between the All Blacks and Australia in August 2017.

Looking forward to the rugby tests, Davies concludes “our team has consistently delivered an outstanding rugby test experience so to be awarded three international matches is a terrific reflection on our team and the city of Dunedin.”

Images: Concert events at Forsyth Barr Stadium, including Sir Elton John (middle) and test rugby at the venue (below).

3rd August 2015 - FORSYTH BARR STADIUM LOOKS FOR FIRST ANNUAL PROFIT

5th December 2014 - DUNEDIN RATEPAYERS TO CONTINUE FORSYTH BARR STADIUM SUBSIDY

7th May 2014 - TERRY DAVIES TAKES ON CHIEF EXECUTIVE ROLE AT DUNEDIN’S FORSYTH BARR STADIUM

31st October 2012 - COMMUNITY INPUT WANTED FOR FORSYTH BARR STADIUM REVIEW