Venues Ōtautahi provides development update on Christchurch’s new Te Kaha stadium

With Canterbury’s new Te Kaha showing visible progress in its construction, management agency Venues Ōtautahi has provided an update on how it is preparing to deliver an exceptional patron experience when the venue opens in two and a half years.

On track to open by April 2026, the new $683 million venue will have 25,000 permanent seats, with space in the northern stand to hold a further 5,000 temporary seats and a maximum capacity of 36,000 in full concert mode plus the ability to also operate in ‘cut-down concert mode’ for smaller events.

The stadium will be capable of hosting All Blacks matches, major music concerts, corporate functions and a range of other sporting events.

The venue would also meet standards for FIFA World Cup matches - a significant attribute following New Zealand having successfully co-hosted the 2023 Women’s World Cup and potentially being part of a combined bid along with Australia to host the 2034 edition of the tournament.

This week has seen Venues Ōtautahi advise of how the venue’s culinary team are designing a food and beverage offering that it says “goes beyond your standard stadium fare”, with 23 food and beverage outlets encompassing 13 types of retail offerings.

This will include family-friendly and affordable options right through to premium hospitality offerings.

Maintaining a philosophy of supporting local producers, Venues Ōtautahi advise “the food offerings at Te Kaha will be a true showcase of the Canterbury region, utilising products from the high country and coast to the peninsula and the plains.

Click here for more information on the project

Image shows the latest concept for the completed Te Kaha. Credit: Venues Ōtautahi.