In the aftermath of Taylor Swift’s absence from New Zealand leaving fans disappointed, questions have arisen about whether the country possesses a collection of venues that are fit to host major events and concerts. Although Aotearoa boasts a rich sporting culture and vibrant arts and entertainment scene, the lack of concert venues with a capacity of 60,000 or more often leaves us overlooked by major international tours. We’ve successfully hosted events like the 2011 Rugby World Cup and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, but the future of such events is uncertain here without larger stadiums.
The debate over a new main stadium in Auckland has intensified, with a panel set up in September 2023 to evaluate long-term options and provide non-binding recommendations to the council. Initially, eight contenders
