Eden Park has welcomed a decision by Auckland Council’s governing body to support the recommendation for a staged approach to delivering a major redevelopment of the stadium.
The council has today (Thursday) selected the Eden Park 2.1 plans over a proposal for a new 55,000-seat stadium in the Quay Park area of Auckland.
A funding plan for the redevelopment of Eden Park has not yet been agreed. First revealed by the Eden Park Trust in April 2023 under the Eden Park 2.0 banner, the proposed revamp of New Zealand’s national stadium has a projected cost of over NZ$500m (£222m/€266m/$287m) and will include a retractable roof and a new North Stand.
A number of proposals were put forward to deliver a new stadium in Auckland, and in May last year the council selected the Eden Park 2.1 and Te Tōangaroa/Quay Park plans to move forward in the process.
The two proposals were given six months to complete feasibility studies at their own expense, and the Eden Park proposal had been considered the favourite to be selected by the council. The process originally featured eight applications, before this was reduced to four and then two.
The Eden Park project covers initiatives relating to modernisation, sustainability, connectivity and sustainability, while the Quay Park plans included a 55,000-seat stadium as part of a wider 15-hectare precinct that would have also featured hotels, bars, restaurants, retail and office space, residential apartments and green spaces.
The New Zealand Herald reports today that councillors voted 17-2 in favour of the Eden Park redevelopment, which would be carried out in stages. Eden Park could ask for up to NZ$100m of public money to support the project.
Kereyn Smith, chair of the Eden Park Trust board, said: “Today’s decision is a pivotal step toward securing the long-term future of Eden Park as New Zealand’s national stadium. The staged approach gives us the certainty to plan, the flexibility to deliver, and the ability to respond to the needs of Aucklanders and New Zealanders alike.
“Eden Park 2.1 is a smart, staged investment that delivers high-impact returns for both Auckland and the nation. It’s practical, future-focused, and leverages existing infrastructure to achieve lasting outcomes. We look forward to working with both Auckland Council and central government to make this opportunity a reality.”
Eden Park chief executive Nick Sautner added: “We’re delighted that Auckland Council has chosen to support Eden Park 2.1 which is a practical, buildable, and future-ready approach to delivering Auckland’s main stadium.
“Recognising the governing body’s vital role in shaping the next phase, we are committed to working collaboratively to deliver the best outcomes for Auckland and the country. Eden Park 2.1 is a high-value, high-benefit opportunity for Auckland and New Zealand. It makes the most of existing infrastructure, leverages the City Rail Link which opens in 2026, and delivers social, cultural, and economic benefits quickly and at scale.”
Eden Park hosts international rugby and cricket, as well as major concerts. The Trust has said it remains committed to working closely with Auckland Council and central government to support the development of a “strategic framework” for New Zealand’s stadium network.
