America's Cup isn't even a sport, it's a boat building competition. We are the only country in the world where anybody who isn't a massive sailing enthusiast has even the slightest interest in it.
I also don't consider anything to do with horses or motor vehicles a sport, either.
Racing horses bareback was probably humanity's first sport. Everything since is just games.
It's always Twickenham that gets brought up as evidence that the location of EP somehow isn't cooked.
I’m playing touch there this week for my employer.
It has piss poor transport links compared to every other major London stadium and flatly refuses to host any stadium event that’s not rugby although it hosts functions and events all week long in its corporate facilities unlike EP.
Most importantly it pays its way privately without expecting Hounslow council or British tax payers to bail it out unlike EP.
Supporter of the world's best football teams: Waikato..., Kingz FC, NZ Knights, The Nix, The Argyle & of course the All Whites
I just posted this in the Auckland thread but maybe it should be in here instead (mods feel free to delete this or the other post if you feel it should be in one thread over the other)
Auckland FC have launched a petition website to show the Auckland council the support behind their bid for Western Springs.
It contains some more detailed renders of the stadium as well - still only a 3 sided stadium and no roof over what I assume is the port's stand (which would be strange considering that's the frequent observation around Mt Smart that you can't really hear the port due to the lack of a roof projecting the sound towards the rest of the stadium)
As I suspected, only one end (and still without a roof) to maximise capacity for concerts by the looks of it. The Port has taken to social media to ask for suggestions to pass on. Lots of people asking for a roof to aid the Port's acoustics, but doubt their minds can be changed.
I've been to loads of concerts here in the UK, USA and Europe in proper stadiums, all with roofs, so see no need to exclude one for concerts in the Western Springs plan. In fact, given Auckland's dodgy climate, it probably helps to keep the musicians and their expensive equipment dry.
Supporter of the world's best football teams: Waikato..., Kingz FC, NZ Knights, The Nix, The Argyle & of course the All Whites
I think the central issue is seating - by having an open end they can build a stage off rather than on the pitch and increase capacity. But Dunedin seems to have pretty good looking temporary seating though I haven't been there personally.
I think its designed open at the end where the current terraces are. Enabling it to hold up to 25000 or something.Footy_Fella
I think the central issue is seating - by having an open end they can build a stage off rather than on the pitch and increase capacity. But Dunedin seems to have pretty good looking temporary seating though I haven't been there personally.
In the literature it said 25k plus (note the word plus) but I am a little sussed about the concert stuff and their behind the scene plans.
The open end directly backs onto western springs park. Therefore the natural amphitheatre remains and the last mock up plan, showed open seating at the opposite end, a concourse, then the natural amphitheatre above that with seating. That top section holds a shark load of people and isn’t counted in the 15k stadium football crowd.
Along with the field, I believe by the time they finish, they actually will have a stadium that could hold in excess of what concerts can hold now - which is 50k.
While it all has been marketed around AFC and that concerts are an afterthought, I think they have been very cunning
I can live with them making use of the embankment, I'm just worried about what is happening at the other end. Port should be able to stand somewhere with a roof!
Auckland Arena. It's the safety first bet for Council isn't it. You know with 3 billionaires involved it's just gonna get built without the need for any public funding.
Rosenthal is a part owner of Los Angeles FC (LAFC) in the MLS and also now has a stake in the Black Knights.
The Auckland Arena proposal – backed by club owners Bill Foley, Anna Mowbray, Ali Williams and Bennett Rosenthal, who are prepared to collectively invest $300 million – has been designated as Tātaki Auckland Unlimited's preferred option for Western Springs in its post-speedway era, following an expression of interest phase.
It includes a rectangular stadium with a capacity between 12,500 and 15,000, which would become Auckland FC's home ground, and could also host concerts; additional fields for high performance and community sport, including a training pitch for AFC; basketball and padel courts; high performance sport and medical facilities; community facilities; and hospitality venues.
Auckland FC have played their home matches at Go Media Stadium during their inaugural season in A-League Men, while training during the week at North Harbour Stadium.
Their average attendance through 13 regular season matches is 18,101 – the best mark in the competition since the 2018-19 season.
They would look at taking big matches – such as New Zealand derbies against the Wellington Phoenix – to larger venues if Auckland Arena did come to fruition.
Only my 2c worth but I really don't like the design put forward. I really don't think that would provide a great game day experience or concert experience if your not sat on the sides.
To attract both, they have ruined the experience for both.
Supporter of the world's best football teams: Waikato..., Kingz FC, NZ Knights, The Nix, The Argyle & of course the All Whites
Would really like to know the capacity of the two covered stands. And if that seating above the concourse is part of the 15k capacity.
If the seating above is part of the 15k, then those stands are likely only holding 2.5k each.
They do look very small in the graphics. I think there is proper uncovered seating too at the terrace end within the bowl but it's still a bit average.
Supporter of the world's best football teams: Waikato..., Kingz FC, NZ Knights, The Nix, The Argyle & of course the All Whites
I'd imagine the graphics so far won't be overly representative of what they actually end up doing. We'll probably see some update concepts once they get architects properly designing this thing etc.
And the port will for sure be pushing to get their end covered to help amplify the noise
Seems to be a real groundswell building against this plan from AFC fans. The funny thing is that the most common complaint seems to be that it's not on a train line. Funny because this is the only time I've ever heard any Aucklander (who wasn't an urbanist nerd) say anything positive about trains.
Ramming liberal dribble down your throat since 2009 This forum needs less angst and more Kate Bush threads
Seems to be a real groundswell building against this plan from AFC fans. The funny thing is that the most common complaint seems to be that it's not on a train line. Funny because this is the only time I've ever heard any Aucklander (who wasn't an urbanist nerd) say anything positive about trains.
Not to mention when the " totally private funded " model falls apart ....ACC is remarkable for their incompetance ...
I'd imagine the graphics so far won't be overly representative of what they actually end up doing. We'll probably see some update concepts once they get architects properly designing this thing etc.
And the port will for sure be pushing to get their end covered to help amplify the noise
From various sources it appears that one of the fundamental reasons why the A league is struggling and has not taken off like other similar leagues is that.
1: No clubs own their grounds like the MLS.
2: The stadiums they are playing in are generally massive beasts when a 12 x 15k stadium appears perfect for most.
My question is does anyone know how much it roughly costs to play each week at the various grounds?
From various sources it appears that one of the fundamental reasons why the A league is struggling and has not taken off like other similar leagues is that.
1: No clubs own their grounds like the MLS.
2: The stadiums they are playing in are generally massive beasts when a 12 x 15k stadium appears perfect for most.
My question is does anyone know how much it roughly costs to play each week at the various grounds?
A: The cake tin B: Mt Smart C: Eden park?
If I remember correctly, many moons ago Gareth Morgan claimed the 'Nix they needed a crowd of ~10,000 to break even at Westpac.
I'd imagine Mt Smart is significantly cheaper - based on NZF having used it for Chatham Cup games before.
Eden Park probably lots more - probably a six figure bill in traffic management alone hah.
Seems to be a real groundswell building against this plan from AFC fans. The funny thing is that the most common complaint seems to be that it's not on a train line. Funny because this is the only time I've ever heard any Aucklander (who wasn't an urbanist nerd) say anything positive about trains.
I'd missed the news that this was going out for public consultation - will be interesting to see what impact fan sentiment has on that (naively assuming the "consultation" isn't just for show, of course).
Have the backers of the proposal said anything about how they expect people to get to the stadium? I would've thought that was something the council would care about.
Speedway and concerts have been attracting tens of thousands plus crowds for years, traffic won’t be that big an issue. Its 2 minutes off the motorway that connects from all areas of Auckland too. Simon B
Doloras
Seems to be a real groundswell building against this plan from AFC fans. The funny thing is that the most common complaint seems to be that it's not on a train line. Funny because this is the only time I've ever heard any Aucklander (who wasn't an urbanist nerd) say anything positive about trains.
I'd missed the news that this was going out for public consultation - will be interesting to see what impact fan sentiment has on that (naively assuming the "consultation" isn't just for show, of course).
Have the backers of the proposal said anything about how they expect people to get to the stadium? I would've thought that was something the council would care about.
