Let Him Entertain You: Robbie Williams to ‘christen’ Christchurch’s new stadium, play Auckland gig

Tuesday, 17 March 2026

Global pop phenomenon Robbie Williams will christen Christchurch’s new One New Zealand Stadium this November, becoming the first international music act to headline the long-awaited venue.

The British superstar will bring his BRITPOP World Tour to the city on November 28, marking his first performance in Christchurch in 25 years. He will also play a single North Island show at Auckland’s Eden Park on November 24, following his New Zealand dates with a five-city Australian stadium run.

The milestone announcement arrives as Christchurch's new stadium prepares to open its doors next month, the centre point of the city’s major post-earthquake recovery building projects. It also comes shortly after Williams secured his 16th UK number one solo album, officially surpassing The Beatles for the most number one albums in British chart history.

Late on Tuesday night it was announced Williams’ tour had been included in the New Zealand Government’s Events Attraction Package.

Speaking exclusively to The Press ahead of the concert announcement, Williams delivered a direct — tongue in cheek — message to Christchurch fans who have waited many years for their new stadium.

“Yes, Christchurch people. My name is Robbie Williams. You may remember me from such ‘hit’ as Angels,” he said. “I am coming down to see you to entertain you. If you’ve been to see me before, it’ll be a bit like that. If you haven’t seen me, you should come, because I’m getting really, really, really good at it now.”

Acknowledging the significance of the new venue, he added: “I’m going to be the first international artist to play at your brand spanking new stadium. Come help me christen it from an international perspective, and let’s have a night to remember.”

The upcoming tour follows the surprise release of his critically acclaimed album Britpop in January. The record serves as a nostalgic, upbeat nod to the 1990s and features collaborations with Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi, and a creative reunion with former Take That bandmate Gary Barlow.

“It’s guitars, it’s 1997 again, and I get to do what I want to do, which feels good,” Williams said.

For Williams, the new music is a celebration of the artistic independence he has enjoyed since launching his solo career in 1997 with the album Life Thru A Lens.

“I’ve kind of always had artistic freedom ever since I’ve left Take That,” he said. “I hear these stories about other artists that have to go and offer their albums to A&R people that then tell them to go away and make it ‘dancy’, or make it this or make it that… Nobody’s done that with me ever.”

When asked how the new material stacks up against his debut, he was unequivocal.

“It’s better than Life Thru A Lens,” he said, noting that while the new record doesn’t have an Angels or Let Me Entertain You on its track listing, it represents “a better body of work”.

The album includes Morrissey, a track co-written with Barlow from the perspective of an infatuated fan of the former Smiths frontman. Williams described the collaboration as a “beautifully odd thing to do”, noting his genuine admiration for the Mancunian singer.

“I know where me and Gary Barlow sit in the music industry’s pantheon of worthy artists, but yet we are here getting together to sing about the most worthy artist of all time.”

Williams’ current success feels like a victory lap for the 52-year-old. The singer has publicly reckoned with his past through a 2023 Netflix documentary and the 2024 Oscar-nominated biopic Better Man. Leaving behind the hedonism and mental health struggles of his early fame, Williams is now happily settled with his wife, Ayda Field, and their four children.

Reflecting on breaking The Beatles’ chart record, he said his family was quick to keep him grounded.

“I was talking to my mother-in-law and I said ‘you know what, Gwen, if I get a number 1 album I’ve had more number 1 albums than The Beatles. And my daughter, who’s very American, said — ‘in the UK’. And there’s no need for that you know, abuse of the elderly.”

Despite the physical toll of international touring, Williams remains devoted to the live experience. He described the post-show crash as difficult — theorising it was the payment required for natural highs from adrenaline, cortisol and serotonin — but said his audience always carries him through.

Following confirmation the star’s tour was to be part of the New Zealand Government’s Events Attraction Package, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston described Williams as “a showstopper”.

“We know concerts like his bring a significant economic injection into our cities and create a real buzz … Robbie Williams is a master entertainer and we’ll be delighted to see him sell out stadiums like Eden Park and One New Zealand. It’s particularly special that he’ll become the first international artist to play the new Christchurch venue on 28 November.”

Williams’ concerts continue to draw a multi-generational crowd, which he welcomes with open arms.

“I know what I want from a gig,” Williams said. “I want to sing along for a while. I want to know all of the songs, and I want to be transported somewhere special. I want to be elevated from my everyday life and the trials and tribulations and the anxieties and the tragedies, and I need salve for my soul, and so I try and offer that to my audience.”

General tickets for the New Zealand shows — Auckland’s Eden Park on November 24 and Christchurch’s One New Zealand Stadium on November 28 — go on sale on Thursday, March 26 at 1pm via www.axs.com, following a fan presale that begins on Monday, March 23.