The Auckland Stadium Question

Not super chuffed with this design. I wonder if they intend to use it to host concerts, hence the three-sided design?

Surely a 12500 seater is seriously underselling yourself dont get it. Unless they are expecting a dramatic drop off in appeal and attendances.

Their lowest attendance this season was 13.1k against the Jets, 12.5k is far too low. Sure there's going to be an inevitable drop-off but still with the current turnouts I would expect them to at least go for 15K-18K seats

Footy_Fella

Not super chuffed with this design. I wonder if they intend to use it to host concerts, hence the three-sided design?

Ditto, didn't think they incorporated the existing terrace/bank as they  could've (or perhaps the rendering needs to be improved)

A city waits

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360621433/most-councillors-voting-aucklands-stadium-plan-have-accepted-gifts-eden-park

Fifteen of 20 Auckland councillors who will soon vote whether to support an upgraded Eden Park or a new downtown stadium have been hosted by the Eden Park Trust at concerts or rugby games over the past 15 months.

reubee

Footy_Fella

Not super chuffed with this design. I wonder if they intend to use it to host concerts, hence the three-sided design?

Ditto, didn't think they incorporated the existing terrace/bank as they  could've (or perhaps the rendering needs to be improved)

Yeah was really confused by the role of the natural amphitheatre in the renders. Surely Western Springs is big enough that you could build it elsewhere if you're not gonna use it?

reubee

Footy_Fella

Not super chuffed with this design. I wonder if they intend to use it to host concerts, hence the three-sided design?

Ditto, didn't think they incorporated the existing terrace/bank as they  could've (or perhaps the rendering needs to be improved)

Yeah was really confused by the role of the natural amphitheatre in the renders. Surely Western Springs is big enough that you could build it elsewhere if you're not gonna use it?

coochiee

A city waits

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360621433/most-councillors-voting-aucklands-stadium-plan-have-accepted-gifts-eden-park

Fifteen of 20 Auckland councillors who will soon vote whether to support an upgraded Eden Park or a new downtown stadium have been hosted by the Eden Park Trust at concerts or rugby games over the past 15 months.

Haven't been this nervous since NZ vs Costa Rica

Also Ponsonby rugby wont be happy ...

So Eden Park 2 verus Quay Park gets decided next week.
Then what happens with Western Springs gets decided in May.

Quay Park and Auckland FC development at Westerns Springs, seem at face value the best outcomes. If Quay Park with no noise restrictions can host an unlimited number of concerts, you don't need a concert venue also at Western Springs.

World class sporting & concert/event facilities in 2 different Auckland locations. Importantly both privately funded.

Do the councillors have the vision to see this?

Only loser could be cricket in Auckland, which for the last few years has been talked about as possible Western Springs tenant. Plus yeah Ponsonby Rugby Club, but old boy Williams can likely give them a few million to relocate not far away.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360622084/revealed-first-images-new-auckland-stadium-complex-steven-adams-joins-all-star-backers

After confirming the interest of the Williams-Adams-fronted consortium, the Auckland Council body that owns the site, Tātaki Auckland, said Mayor Wayne Brown and city councillors were briefed on three proposals “in a confidential workshop” a week ago.

The other bids for the site are from CRS Records Limited and Ponsonby Rugby Club.

CRS wants to transform the site, also using private funds, into a “premier live entertainment, concert and festival venue, with capability to host cultural events, as well as community sports”.

Ponsonby Rugby Club wants to “extend its current occupancy and expand operations into other sports, and enable the venue to host 50,000-capacity concerts – by redeveloping the site with a proposal to the council for further funding”.

The fate of Western Springs is closely linked to Auckland’s wider stadium puzzle.

Tātaki Auckland’s statement said one of the applicants presented to councillors last week and the other two will present next week.

The council is expected to decide its preferred option in early May before asking for public feedback.

ballane

Surely a 12500 seater is seriously underselling yourself dont get it. Unless they are expecting a dramatic drop off in appeal and attendances.

If it gets the go ahead, I seriously doubt it remains at 12.5k. That number was probably picked for the design brief before the season started. From that video, it looks like could easily add enough permanent seats to bring it up to 15k minimum.

LOoks like they have designed it with enough space for bouncy castles and a circus for the kids. In future years when the hype dies down 12 000 is probably a good size for an A League club

austin111

LOoks like they have designed it with enough space for bouncy castles and a circus for the kids. In future years when the hype dies down 12 000 is probably a good size for an A League club

A city the size of Auckland and how many are into football we are told. You would hope the numbers are better than that

I think if the owners were told at the start of the season that outside the derby’s and the opening game of their season, they would average 14k crowds, they would have bitten your hand off.

Crowds will decrease next season, that is a sure thing as the novelty factor wears off and also as AFC eventually dont top the league any more,
.
While I would like a 15k stadium, I suspect outside the derby and final games, 12.5 would be enough longer term for Australian opposition. 

I mean the one constant on this forum is the talk of the Nix needing a boutique 12k stadium.

AucklandPhoenix

I think if the owners were told at the start of the season that outside the derby’s and the opening game of their season, they would average 14k crowds, they would have bitten your hand off.

Crowds will decrease next season, that is a sure thing as the novelty factor wears off and also as AFC eventually dont top the league any more,
.
While I would like a 15k stadium, I suspect outside the derby and final games, 12.5 would be enough longer term for Australian opposition. 

I mean the one constant on this forum is the talk of the Nix needing a boutique 12k stadium.

AFC getting a tiny stadium that the Nix have always needed is a wild but not unexpected timeline.

I just think a 12k stadium for either Auckland or Wellington is not allowing for much in the way of potential growth.
So do they just put sold out signs up or move for every game where they sellout. The danger with constantly putting sold out signs up is that if the same people miss out they will eventually stop trying.

ballane

I just think a 12k stadium for either Auckland or Wellington is not allowing for much in the way of potential growth.
So do they just put sold out signs up or move for every game where they sellout. The danger with constantly putting sold out signs up is that if the same people miss out they will eventually stop trying.

I think the idea with a 12k stadium you're more likely to get 12k because of fomo than 8k in a 30k stadium because people can rock up on the day so don't buy tickets in advance.

I would say if you sold out you would keep it sold out and move the big games like finals to the stadium.

ballane

I just think a 12k stadium for either Auckland or Wellington is not allowing for much in the way of potential growth.
So do they just put sold out signs up or move for every game where they sellout. The danger with constantly putting sold out signs up is that if the same people miss out they will eventually stop trying.

I don't think it works like that at all - in fact quite the opposite. Being regularly sold out will increase desirability.

20 Legend

ballane

I just think a 12k stadium for either Auckland or Wellington is not allowing for much in the way of potential growth.
So do they just put sold out signs up or move for every game where they sellout. The danger with constantly putting sold out signs up is that if the same people miss out they will eventually stop trying.

I don't think it works like that at all - in fact quite the opposite. Being regularly sold out will increase desirability.

If it's regular sold out, thats because AFC are winning more than losing, and/or offer a great fan experienece. So everyone will want in on that, and 09 football fans will try and find ways to get a hard earned ticket.

But folks are getting hung up on this early announced design showing only a 12,000 capacity (with one open end). Suspect that RR is right, and that the final design will have a higher capacity.

Footy_Fella

https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/03/21/magic-in-the-maunga-the-mid-sized-stadium-that-could/

That’s a really good article. 

Would regular sell-outs (and ongoing success) maybe encourage more AFC fans to buy season tickets to secure their seats, or do the numbers not really stack up for that?

20 Legend

ballane

I just think a 12k stadium for either Auckland or Wellington is not allowing for much in the way of potential growth.
So do they just put sold out signs up or move for every game where they sellout. The danger with constantly putting sold out signs up is that if the same people miss out they will eventually stop trying.

I don't think it works like that at all - in fact quite the opposite. Being regularly sold out will increase desirability.

And ticket prices.

Watching TV1. 14000 at Western Springs tonight for the final meeting. Plus a few hundred more protesting. Sad. But they gotta go. Plenty of room at Waikaraka Pk to relocate IMO. Plus 11mill from the Council. No guarantee that AFC will get the nod for WS. Only one of three interested parties... Laneway are pushing the "culturally relevant" agenda so they'll probably defeat the capitalist populists. But who knows. Wayne Brown is no Tory Whanau. etc. etc.

I wonder what the future of Mt Smart would look like if AFC goes to Western Springs and Warriors go to Quay Park. Surely Quay Park is banking on the Warriors moving in?

From memory saw a statement somewhere, that Mt Smart could be in the future be very much a home for lots of community sport. Lots of school, age group and womens sport. I guess it would always stay as a Warriors training base. Athletics in the summer.

Reading that above article there are plans to improve the training facilities etc there. Warrior still have a 4 year lease, and Auckland FC 5 years.

Would obviously take a few years to get both Quay Park and any Western Springs stadium completed.

I imagine the stadiums at risk of being demolished are Eden Park (help with the 09's housing problems) and North Harbour (hopefully kept).

Given the size of Auckland and the pace that it is growing, I'd like to think that in 15-20 years there will be two league and football teams. I'd rather they be based north and south of the bridge then end up down at the waterfront. 

Auckland needs more then 3 decent rectangle stadiums. NH has to stay even if cricket ends up calling it home for the foreseeable future. 

The last thing I want for Auckland is the AAMI situation where MV and MCFC ground share, this robs both clubs of identity that you get by calling your stadium your home/fortress.

And thank god for some of that ...the ACC always impress , whenever you think that's the dumbest idea ever........its ...  hold my beer ....

Big big day Thursday. Sad to see Eden Park go, but Quay Park is the way forward. 
Fingers crossed.

I hope so, but in light of the recent info re Ak Councillors attending events at EP for free, don’t be surprised if EP gets the nod.

coochiee

Big big day Thursday. Sad to see Eden Park go, but Quay Park is the way forward. 
Fingers crossed.

Both proposals, Eden Pk (stage2) and Quay Pk (costed at 1bill plus) have been deemed by Council advisors as financially unfeasible without public money. Which the Council have no wish to provide. Sauce RNZ midday news.
Back to the drawing board.

Please, can they build it anywhere with decent car parking? I would like to suggest the Forsyth Barr stadium as to what could be done - same too as a replacement for that crap Sky Stadium. I know, dreams will never come true but Forsyth Barr is outstanding, especially with the ventilation and or the ability to remove seating at one end for a stage for concerts. 

Jessie Merino

Both proposals, Eden Pk (stage2) and Quay Pk (costed at 1bill plus) have been deemed by Council advisors as financially unfeasible without public money. Which the Council have no wish to provide. Sauce RNZ midday news.
Back to the drawing board.

This unaffordability was obvious and I'm amazed it's taken this long for anyone to come out with it. As I said when the quay pk design came out, it's pie in the sky stuff, certainly in this country.

LG

Please, can they build it anywhere with decent car parking? I would like to suggest the Forsyth Barr stadium as to what could be done - same too as a replacement for that crap Sky Stadium. I know, dreams will never come true but Forsyth Barr is outstanding, especially with the ventilation and or the ability to remove seating at one end for a stage for concerts. 

Don't know Dunners well, but being a small city (7% of Auckland's popn) with no train system I imagine it's very much a car culture there.

You can't have car parking as a main pivot for Quay Park or EP, it would just create traffic gridlock in the 09 isthmus.

I think with Quay Park the plan is a bus interchange underneath the ground? Suncorp Stadium in Brissy has an excellent one. Plus you also have Britomart for trains a shortest walk away.

coochiee

LG

Please, can they build it anywhere with decent car parking? I would like to suggest the Forsyth Barr stadium as to what could be done - same too as a replacement for that crap Sky Stadium. I know, dreams will never come true but Forsyth Barr is outstanding, especially with the ventilation and or the ability to remove seating at one end for a stage for concerts. 

Don't know Dunners well, but being a small city (10% of Auckland's popn) with no train system I imagine it's very much a car culture there.

You can't have car parking as a main pivot for Quay Park or EP, it would just create traffic gridlock in the 09.

I think with Quay Park the plan is a bus interchange underneath the ground? Sunscorp Stadium in Brissy has an excellent one. Plus you also have Britomart for trains a shortest walk away.

Absolutely, you'll never get a scenario like you do with the Sky Stadium in an urban environment. Not unless they wanted to waste $100s of millions digging down.

coochiee

Big big day Thursday. Sad to see Eden Park go, but Quay Park is the way forward. 
Fingers crossed.

 You'd hope so ....but...

Jessie Merino

Both proposals, Eden Pk (stage2) and Quay Pk (costed at 1bill plus) have been deemed by Council advisors as financially unfeasible without public money. Which the Council have no wish to provide. Sauce RNZ midday news.
Back to the drawing board.

The fix is in for Eden Park, I'm disgusted to say. They can build that into a monstrosity in stages, and "stages" is how you get anything done. (The reason Light Rail in Auckland failed is they tried to "do it once, do it right", making the upfront costs eye-watering.)

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/545900/neither-new-stadium-or-eden-park-upgrade-viable-advisory-staff

Looking pretty bad here 

Is this really a big deal for anybody? Even if I was an Aucklander, I don't think it would be for me. Sure, waterfront stadium would be very cool, but it probably was always going to cost too much in today's world.

I think that nothing really cool is every going to be constructed ever again, probably, because the prevailing philosophy of today is governments are bad and tax is bad and the invisible hand of the free market must be left to do its thing. And the world is creeping ever further to the right, year after year.  But the free market can't do anything great. It's all boring short term profit garbage, that's all it can serve up. Only governments have the size and influence to do really meaningful, worthwhile things that don't need to turn instant profit. Or should I say, had that influence.

But that's enough political ranting from me (and all just some idiot's opinion, don't feel like you have to argue with it lol). The reason I don't particularly care about this is that Auckland are going to get a cool boutique football ground courtesy of Foley & co (and maybe this somewhat contradicts my earlier rant given this is only likely due to the AFC owners' riches, though what they are trying to achieve is much more modest than that grand waterfront stadium vision, but I digress). If that comes to fruition, football should be fine. 

Would just need a decent rectangular ground in Wellington then (with Christchurch already set). A shame it seems the Nix ownership's strategy is to wait for Sky Stadium to start to crumble and hope that the revamp is friendly to their needs...