Could Auckland be in line for an All Blacks hotel?

Thursday, 21 December 2023

An All Blacks-branded hotel reportedly proposed for Auckland’s waterfront would offer an “All Blacks experience” for guests. (File photo)

Auckland’s waterfront could be the site of the first All Blacks hotel as part of a proposed stadium and redevelopment project, according to reports.

On Thursday, the New Zealand Herald reported the All Blacks-branded accommodation was one of several new hotels included in a proposal to revamp the area near Spark Arena.

The proposal, known as Quay Park or Te Toangaroa, also includes a waterfront stadium, retail, hospitality and residential developments.

It is understood to have the backing of New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and was described by chief executive Mark Robinson as a bid which could have a “transformational” impact, the Herald reported.

A massive redevelopment of Eden Park has been proposed, including a new roof for the stadium. (Video from April 2023)

As well as offering an “All Blacks experience” for guests, the five-star facility would promote the Black Ferns and other NZR teams.

Although the All Blacks hotel would be the first in New Zealand to be linked to a sports team, the concept is more common overseas.

The English and Welsh rugby unions have hotels attached to Twickenham and Principality Stadium respectively, while Marriott offers themed rooms to fans of the New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, and Seattle Seahawks American football teams through a partnership with the NFL.

The Quay Park proposal is one of three waterfront stadium developments being considered by an Auckland Council working group.

A plan to redevelop the country’s largest venue, Eden Park, located three kilometres from the CBD in the suburb of Kingsland is also on the table.

The idea of a stadium in downtown Auckland has been repeatedly raised since 2017 when then-incoming mayor Phil Goff commissioned a $1 million feasibility report.

The report found there were viable sites around the city, but also noted that few stadiums around the world existed without public funding.

Trust-board-owned Eden Park has a $40m loan with Auckland Council that recognises the debt left by councils not delivering on funding commitments for the 2011 World Cup. A grant was received for some key infrastructure upgrades.

The council has also spent a decade debating the future of ageing and investment-demanding stadia it owns, such as Albany, Western Springs and Mt Smart.