At times like this you do wonder if one stadium is enough for three professional teams and also likely for the Auckland NPC team as you would imagine if Eden park is too big for super rugby it will be too big for NPC.
While there is a definite cross over between the football and rugby seasons, thank god the A league is predominantly a summer league.
Expect AFC to really be pushing even harder to load up early in the season with home games.
Think the Warriors main issue with AFC is wanting to retain all the training facilities at Mt Smart as rugby league specific. Not so fazed about AFC playing their A League games there (if they train at Albany), especially given the ALM is mostly a summer comp.
The Blues have their own designated training base in Epsom, so the Warriors may not care much if Super Rugby games get played at Mt Smart from 2026. As long as they don't have to change their NRL kick off times/dates or whatever, around the Blues.
Though I also remember reading something about the Wahs not liking Moana Pasika being at Mt Smart. Pasika since moving to North Harbour. So who knows.
There seems to be the Warriors don't like this, don't like that but they have no ownership of the facilities - it's owned by Auckland Stadiums so what the warriors do and don't like it only as relevant as Auckland Stadiums (who also run North Harbour Stadium and Western Springs) make it out to be.
The shorter contract with North Harbour Stadium was a precautionary move as Becker said when the club came into existence last year they were unsure how the space would work for their needs.
The club made several modifications - put in a kitchen, gym, transformed corporate boxes into offices and a created a players' lounge - to feel more at home.
But the club has a vision for more.
"The guys love it up here," Becker said of the Albany base where the players are a couple of weeks into pre-season training ahead of the A-League kicking off on 17 October.
"We're going to need additional facilities obviously for our women's team when it comes on, our youth, our reserves, our football schools.
"We're really happy up at North Harbour. We'd love to continue to be here for a longer term.
"I think as a space relatively central, there's so much potential here to create a really fantastic home for our professional teams and our youth teams.
"What sort of development that requires we're not sure about that right now, but I'd definitely love to see some development here into a more high performance centre."
Auckland FC are not the first to float the idea of turning the stadium and surrounds into a high performance or sporting hub - it is an idea that has been around for decades - but the timing might be right.
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited was this month retained as operators of North Harbour Stadium and the surrounding Domain Precinct after a better alternative could not be found.
The council-controlled organisation's chief executive Nick Hill said Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU) "will pursue a refocused operational model at North Harbour Stadium".
The search for a new operator by the North Harbour Steering Group had aimed to find an operator that could deliver increased connection with the community and improved financial performance.
The Steering group, with TAU, was now working to determine the long-term future of North Harbour Stadium and Domain Precinct, focusing on the most appropriate ownership, funding, governance, improvements, and operational management model which was expected to take until December 2026 to be decided.
Auckland FC has shared the training field space with Super Rugby Pacific side Moana Pasifika and their game day home ground with the Warriors NRL club.
Scheduling clashes were avoided last season during the cross-over in the A-League and NRL seasons at the stadium in Penrose.
Becker said he had a draft draw for the 2025/26 A-League season that would have a "few tweaks" before "key fixtures" were drip-fed out to fans next week.
I'd like to see that gaping hole in the far stand fixed.
Having watched football at Kiwitea Street, Mt Smart, Eden Park, Mt Wellington, Fred Taylor Park, Douglas Field, Allen Hill stadium, Olympic Park, Murdoch Park and Bay City Park, I like NHS the most.
Its just a pity its such a half arsed stadium (like EP of course). I really enjoyed watching the Kingz and Knights Mk.1 there, much more then the Kingz and the Knights Mk.2 at Mt. Smart.
Supporter of the world's best football teams: Waikato..., Kingz FC, NZ Knights, The Nix, The Argyle & of course the All Whites
NHS was designed with a view to replicate the main stand on the opposite side of the pitch. The original stand is built in a bit of an arc where the ends of the stand is closer to the pitch than the middle.Marto
I'd like to see that gaping hole in the far stand fixed.
Having watched football at Kiwitea Street, Mt Smart, Eden Park, Mt Wellington, Fred Taylor Park, Douglas Field, Allen Hill stadium, Olympic Park, Murdoch Park and Bay City Park, I like NHS the most.
Its just a pity its such a half arsed stadium (like EP of course). I really enjoyed watching the Kingz and Knights Mk.1 there, much more then the Kingz and the Knights Mk.2 at Mt. Smart.
Seriously doubt Auckland FC are going to throw money at fixing NHS as a stadium. Mt Smart will be their home ground for awhile yet.
But yes sounds like the players like training at NHS (and probably most of them live on the Shore). The spending will go on High Performance type stuff around the Albany site.
Seriously doubt Auckland FC are going to throw money at fixing NHS as a stadium. Mt Smart will be their home ground for awhile yet.
But yes sounds like the players like training at NHS (and probably most of them live on the Shore). The spending will go on High Performance type stuff around the Albany site.
Would expect the plan is to help turn NHS into a NZCIS like Campus. Maybe they could look to add a small 4-5k Stadium for the ALW side to play out of (and Harbour's ITM Cup side)
The Blues are playing some games at Mt Smart this coming season. Much concern from Warriors and FC about scheduling and maintain the playing surface - plenty of problems in Aussie with pitch condition apparently. Nostradamus says (and you heard it here first) Maybe the season after this one, FC will move permanently to North Harbour Zstadium.
The Blues are playing some games at Mt Smart this coming season. Much concern from Warriors and FC about scheduling and maintain the playing surface - plenty of problems in Aussie with pitch condition apparently. Nostradamus says (and you heard it here first) Maybe the season after this one, FC will move permanently to North Harbour Zstadium.
Interesting, I genuinely thought the Blues were just using Mt Smart as a bargaining chip to get a cheaper deal from Eden Park
Very interesting they are only taking two games there to begin with.
Would imagine it’s because they want slightly cheaper rent for two games and will ensure the games played there are against the Pacific team and the Fiji Dura, where they will predict they will get bigger crowds then Eden Park.
Then for the white middle class games, they will head back to their true home.
Na, they are trying it out in the hope it works and they can cut loose from Eden Park permanently. The biggest worries will be the effect on crowd numbers, and hospitality synergy.AucklandPhoenix
Very interesting they are only taking two games there to begin with.
Would imagine it’s because they want slightly cheaper rent for two games and will ensure the games played there are against the Pacific team and the Fiji Dura, where they will predict they will get bigger crowds then Eden Park.
Then for the white middle class games, they will head back to their true home.
Crowd numbers at Eden park for the Blues havent bee great for a while, even the NZ derbies havent really justified the cos of opening the ground. Maybe moving to a smaller venue will create some ticket pressure? Highest attendance last year was vs the Chiefs at 24,800.
These happenings just reinforce what a dog Eden Park is. Not fit for any sporting purpose other than All Black tests. Concerts will be the only thing shortly saving it. So many missed opportunities with Auckland stadiums over the years.
As well it could be rugby looking at what AFC and the Warriors are doing right, concluding it’s the stadium and trying to steal some of that action…it’s gotta hurt the soul of a lot of rugby purists to see an Ali Williams backed soccer team absolutely flourishing.
While the redevelopment process moves slowly, Sautner admitted to disappointment over Eden Park’s event calendar. Despite having consent to host up to six artists and 12 shows annually, only three concerts were scheduled for 2025 — two by Luke Combs and one by Metallica.
“It is disappointing,” Sautner said. “We want to ensure that we can deliver an event calendar that fulfils our ability in terms of our consenting currently.”
I get the feeling they may have gotten a rent reduction to re-commit to Eden Park
I wish The Stadium Trust would do that for the Nix.
Just need the Welnix crowd to start looking at Jerry Collins stadium for the mens games as well - I suspect it wont happen due to whatever the league has as minimum requirements for stadia though - JCS wont meet media facilities lighting etc.
I get the feeling they may have gotten a rent reduction to re-commit to Eden Park
I wish The Stadium Trust would do that for the Nix.
Just need the Welnix crowd to start looking at Jerry Collins stadium for the mens games as well - I suspect it wont happen due to whatever the league has as minimum requirements for stadia though - JCS wont meet media facilities lighting etc.
Not going to happen it would be a nightmare with anything over about 3/4 thousand out there, we get back to 6/7 thousand it would be hopeless. Thats even before any League restrictions need to be looked at.
which leaves us/welnix stuck with the status quo, being royally over charged for a stadium that isnt really fit for any purpose now.
And they are. The Rugby Union gets a discount, but what the WRFU were still having to pay was still too expensive hence they moved out. The Nix pay even more than the rugby do which imho is totally unfair. That stadium should be well paid off by now. They know they are ripping the Nix and the fans that want to go to the games, with their expensive car parking, food and beverage fees. Lucky some of us know to take our own "home made" food and not "Brand" food items. And that there is 3 water fountains on the concourse ready for your empty drink bottles. Now way is a bottle of water worth $5.50 or $6.50 for a small coke.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
which leaves us/welnix stuck with the status quo, being royally over charged for a stadium that isnt really fit for any purpose now.
Phoenix need leverage. (over)Pay some consultants to propose a new stadium outside of the CBD. It doesn't have to be tenable, it is just needs to be believable.
Probably too much effort for current Nix leadership though.
which leaves us/welnix stuck with the status quo, being royally over charged for a stadium that isnt really fit for any purpose now.
Phoenix need leverage. (over)Pay some consultants to propose a new stadium outside of the CBD. It doesn't have to be tenable, it is just needs to be believable.
Probably too much effort for current Nix leadership though.
Been there done that a few years back when the looked at Hutt Rec and the Petone ground. Stadium trust know the Welnix dont have the money to build a new stadium, and they also know that council and government wont help with a new build either.
which leaves us/welnix stuck with the status quo, being royally over charged for a stadium that isnt really fit for any purpose now.
Phoenix need leverage. (over)Pay some consultants to propose a new stadium outside of the CBD. It doesn't have to be tenable, it is just needs to be believable.
Probably too much effort for current Nix leadership though.
Been there done that a few years back when the looked at Hutt Rec and the Petone ground. Stadium trust know the Welnix dont have the money to build a new stadium, and they also know that council and government wont help with a new build either.
Sorry to digress from Auckland but I hope they do not encounter similar issues to what Wellington has to suffer. Off the Stadium Trust official website, let's add some names to the problem..... The Wellington City Council and Wellington Regional Council established the Wellington Regional Stadium Trust (WRST) under the Charitable Trusts Act 1957, to be responsible for the planning, development, construction, ownership, operation and maintenance of the Stadium as a multi-purpose sporting and cultural venue. The Trust is also registered as a charity with the Charities Commission (#CC10754).
The Trust reports back to both Councils and holds an Annual General meeting which is open to the public (usually in October of each year).
The Trust has a Board of Trustees appointed by the two Councils. The current Trustees are:
Rachel Taulelei (Chair)
Tracey Bridges
Diane Calvert
Phillippa Harford
Owen Gibson
Penny Gaylor
John Howarth
Peter Miskimmin
Staff of the Wellington Regional Stadium Trust include the following:
Chief Executive Officer - Warrick Dent
Chief Financial Officer - Katherine Andersen
General Manager Contracts and Commercial - Brandon Chik
General Manager Events & Operations - Mathew Hellyer
General Manager Facilities - Terry Clubb
Turf Manager - Hagen Faith
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
People are complaining they arnt doing a good enough job know and you want them to start on another project. Given its an issue for all sports in Wellington i dont see why it should be the Welnix guys job to come up with a solution. It would need to be multi use to make it viable. Doubt its possible to build a single use cost effective stadium in NZ. There is no point at all building one if your only going to makw it about 10k capacity.
People are complaining they arnt doing a good enough job know and you want them to start on another project. Given its an issue for all sports in Wellington i dont see why it should be the Welnix guys job to come up with a solution. It would need to be multi use to make it viable. Doubt its possible to build a single use cost effective stadium in NZ. There is no point at all building one if your only going to makw it about 10k capacity.
It's a similar problem that AFC have, Eden park is too big and costly for them, Go Media stadium is about right but is a Warriors fortress. In Wellington you have the Stadium, but it was built to house cricket first and foremost and then the other codes as well. This was when NZC was flying high, not the basin would suffice for all cricket, JC in P'town works well for the NPC and womens Super rugby, i would probably do the trick for the 'Canes as well. Several things need to happen: Bulldoze the cake tin, its 25 years old and no longer fit for purpose. Invest some money into the Basin to make it suitable for international cricket of al formats not just tests. Invest some money into JC stadium to make it better as a smaller venue for NPC, and the Wahinix Build a rectangle stadium at the current stadium's site, make sure it has a roof. Base capacity of 25k with the ability to increase this to 40k if needed.
It wont happen, because it requires investment and currently all our money should be spent on waterways and other infrastructure.
which leaves us/welnix stuck with the status quo, being royally over charged for a stadium that isnt really fit for any purpose now.
And they are. The Rugby Union gets a discount, but what the WRFU were still having to pay was still too expensive hence they moved out. The Nix pay even more than the rugby do which imho is totally unfair. That stadium should be well paid off by now. They know they are ripping the Nix and the fans that want to go to the games, with their expensive car parking, food and beverage fees. Lucky some of us know to take our own "home made" food and not "Brand" food items. And that there is 3 water fountains on the concourse ready for your empty drink bottles. Now way is a bottle of water worth $5.50 or $6.50 for a small coke.
Pretty sure there is still some debt against the ROF.
In the Wellington Stadium thread earlier this year, I copied in some info from Stadium Trust's most recent annual financial report. From memory some debt still exists, and it might need to increase to undertake some R&M at the ground.
I think the report also ruled out any major large works at Sky like a roof or reconfiguration to a more rectangular shape. Excluding an earthquake, or Peter Jackson branching out into construction, Welly like has some minor variation of the status quo for another 20 odd years.
Since this has become a "Wellington Stadium Question" thread, I can't resist the opportunity to remind everyone that Forsyth Barr Stadium cost less than $200m in 2010 ($291m in today's money)...
Since this has become a "Wellington Stadium Question" thread, I can't resist the opportunity to remind everyone that Forsyth Barr Stadium cost less than $200m in 2010 ($291m in today's money)...
Forsyth Barr is struggling for cash too. And Dunedin is less earthquake prone.
Stadiums house luxury events. When you’ve got stagflation through major parts of your economy people aren’t going to be rushing out to concerts and sports events.
And you don’t have the same confident tax base to fund things.
I get the feeling they may have gotten a rent reduction to re-commit to Eden Park
I wish The Stadium Trust would do that for the Nix.
Just need the Welnix crowd to start looking at Jerry Collins stadium for the mens games as well - I suspect it wont happen due to whatever the league has as minimum requirements for stadia though - JCS wont meet media facilities lighting etc.
Not going to happen it would be a nightmare with anything over about 3/4 thousand out there, we get back to 6/7 thousand it would be hopeless. Thats even before any League restrictions need to be looked at.
With the way we're tracking this year, 3/4k might actually be wishful thinking too!
Supporter of the world's best football teams: Waikato..., Kingz FC, NZ Knights, The Nix, The Argyle & of course the All Whites
