Where are we at with Auckland’s stadium jigsaw puzzle?
Tuesday, 21 April 2026
For years, the question of what to do with Auckland’s stadiums has dominated debate in the city.
Plans for new stadiums have been drawn up and thrown out, while ideas have come and gone, leaving the city’s stadium jigsaw puzzle incomplete, so to speak.
Last week, a new future was signalled for Eden Park, while in March, the question around Western Springs Stadium’s future seemed finally answered.
Given this, where are we now with Auckland’s stadium puzzle? And is it anywhere near being completed?
Here is how things stand at the moment.
Eden Park
An agreement signed last week by the Government and Auckland Council reinforced Eden Park’s position as New Zealand’s “national stadium”.
As part of the foundation agreement, Auckland rugby and Auckland cricket are both set to move away from the ground, with the historic venue primed to focus on hosting major concerts and bigger events.
Eden Park can now host up to 32 concerts per year, while it is expected that All Blacks matches and international white-ball cricket will continue to be played at the ground.
Plans to develop the venue are also in play, with a retractable roof and a redeveloped north stand both on the wishlist, subject to funding availability.
Go Media Stadium
Owned and operated by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU), the future is relatively set in stone for the next few years for Go Media Stadium.
The Warriors have committed to the venue being their home ground until 2028, while Auckland FC will remain there until 2029.
Go Media is also viewed as a stadium capable of hosting large concerts, with Pearl Jam and Ed Sheeran having played there in recent years.
TAU told Stuff that planning is underway to guide future development of the stadium, alongside current work focused on creating a new northern plaza that will include improved access routes and new activation spaces.
Western Springs Stadium
The future of Western Springs Stadium has been a hot-button topic in recent years, with speedway moved to Waikaraka Park and multiple options placed on the table for how best to use the historic venue.
In late March, Auckland Council decided to back plans to turn Western Springs into a boutique bowl-like venue for medium-sized concerts, events, and sport.
The decision included an investment of up to $2.5 million by venue owner TAU to enhance it for concerts and festivals, alongside continued community use and a lease extension to Ponsonby Rugby Club.
The aim is to target events for up to 30,000 people, and will see semi-permanent staging installed at the venue.
Colin Maiden Park
Colin Maiden Park in east Auckland is set to become the home of Auckland Cricket, with an announcement last week that the association will move away from Eden Park.
Auckland Council and the Government have committed $10m to the development of the council-owned facility, which is currently used for club cricket.
The development is set to include an expanded pitch block, new outfield, spectator-friendly embankments, a custom-refitted pavilion, and an all-weather grass training facility.
Auckland Cricket say the goal is to have the ground ready for domestic matches by January 2027.
North Harbour Stadium
It is the home of North Harbour Rugby and serves as a training base for both Auckland FC and New Zealand Football, but the long-term future of North Harbour Stadium remains undecided.
The stadium has previously been criticised as being a white elephant, and in 2023, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown even suggested it should be pulled down because no one uses it.
Another stadium owned and operated by TAU, the council-controlled organisation told Stuff it is delivering a “refocused operational model” for North Harbour Stadium that includes collaboration with local advisory groups, improved community access and clearer pathways for future use.
Alongside the North Harbour Stadium Steering Group, TAU said it is working to identify medium and long-term outcomes for the stadium, which it called an “important regional asset”.
Manuka Doctor Arena
It has been the home of tennis in Auckland for decades, and now the Manuka Doctor Arena is set to be redeveloped with a new roof as the main centrepiece.
The development, already underway, will include the erection of a permanent canopy over the arena and an enlarged court space.
An increased capacity of up to 3500, alongside the new roof, will also allow the venue to host more non-sporting events, such as concerts.
The aim is to have the roof installed in time for the ASB Classic in January 2028.
An earlier version of this story said it was hoped the new roof over the Manuka Doctor Arena would be installed by January 2027 - this has been corrected to January 2028. (Amended at 7am on April 21, 2026)