2018 the biggest year on record for Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium

Friday, 1 February 2019

Twice the population of Dunedin attended major events at Forsyth Barr Stadium in 2018, pumping millions into the city's economy.

Nine major events – including three concerts by Ed Sheeran, and performances by Pink, Kendrick Lamar, Roger Waters, Robbie Williams and Shania Twain, and an All Blacks v France test – helped attract 236,000 patrons to the venue in 2018.

It was the biggest year on record for the stadium, which opened in 2011.

Visiting fans also helped pump an estimated $77 million into the local economy.

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* Review: Ed Sheeran raises the roof at DunEDin's Forsyth Barr Stadium** 

The 2018 figures come after survey results from Shania Twain's December 22 concert, which attracted an almost 18,000-strong crowd.

More than 61 per cent of those were visitors to the city, who stayed an average of 1.5 nights in Dunedin.

Dunedin Venues Management Ltd (DVML) chief executive Terry Davies said '2018 was really one out of the box for us and we're thrilled with the results'.

The Dunedin venue helped generate an estimated $38m during Easter's three Ed Sheeran concerts alone.

The city council-owned company will next host the Blackcaps v Bangladesh cricket match at the nearby University Oval on February 20, before concerts by The Eagles and Six60 in March, and Fleetwood Mac in September.

In October, Davies told Stuff Dunedin's stadium would be 'massively competitive' as Christchurch debated a proposed new multi-purpose arena.

'We are endeavouring to get our heads way above our competitors in the South Island.'

The stadium also hosted 218 community events in 2018, of which 79 were supported by community funding from DVML.