Go Media Stadium acknowledged as New Zealand’s Best and Busiest Big Venue

December 11, 2024

Auckland’s Go Media Stadium has registered a record-breaking year, ending 2024 with over half a million tickets issued for events at the venue, and winning New Zealand’s Large Venue of the Year at the annual Event and Venues Association New Zealand (EVANZ) Awards.

Last Saturday’s sold-out derby between A-League sides Auckland FC and Wellington Phoenix saw attendances at the venue reach over 520,000 patrons in 2024, with one Auckland FC match still to be played this year.

The figures propel the venue to being one of the busiest stadiums in New Zealand, with 2024 having included the record-breaking sellout One New Zealand Warriors season, the birth of Auckland FC and headline shows for rock giants Foo Fighters and Pearl Jam.

The year has culminated in the stadium being crowned New Zealand’s Large Venue of the Year by industry peers at the annual EVANZ Awards at the end of last month. The EVANZ Awards recognise the contribution that venues have made to the events industry, the quality of event delivery and ongoing work to innovate and enhance at venues.

Events at Go Media Stadium will have not only provided unforgettable experiences for visitors but have also injected millions of dollars into the Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland economy.

US rock icons Pearl Jam returned to Auckland for the first time in 10 years in November, wowing capacity crowds over two raucous nights. The Pearl Jam shows welcomed fans from all over New Zealand and beyond, who helped to contribute $4.9 million to Auckland’s regional GDP, with over 36,000 visitor nights booked into local accommodation for the shows.

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Chief Executive, Nick Hill explains “it’s been a sensational year for Go Media Stadium - one that will live long in the memory for over half a million patrons. I want to thank our tenants and hirers, whose events delivered this year have rewritten the rulebook for what can be achieved.”

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited acting-Director, Auckland Stadiums, Scott Couch added “we are so proud to have been recognised by our peers as New Zealand’s best large venue, but more than anything, we love the smiles on patrons faces as they support their home team or sing along to their favourite song. These figures show that Go Media Stadium truly is New Zealand’s favourite live entertainment venue.”

The One New Zealand Warriors sold out an incredible 10 successive home matches in 2024, the first team in NRL history to do so.

Warriors Chief Executive, Cameron George added “huge congratulations to Go Media Stadium for winning Large Venue of the Year. Go Media Stadium has been the home fortress of the One New Zealand Warriors for 30 seasons and we created history there this year with our record-breaking sellout home season.

“The stadium is a truly special place for Warriors fans and we can’t wait to get back on home turf in March 2025 for the new NRL season.”

Auckland FC launched their debut season at Go Media Stadium in October and have already enjoyed bumper crowds at the venue.

Auckland FC Chief Executive, Nick Becker went on to say “Go Media Stadium is a unique venue and Auckland FC are so proud to call this stadium our home.

“Together we have written a new chapter in New Zealand’s sporting history and it’s no surprise to see the stadium win Large Venue of the Year. On the back of another sellout this past weekend in our home derby win against Wellington Phoenix, we can’t wait to see what we can achieve together for the rest of the season”.

Leading live entertainment company Live Nation were the promoters for Pearl Jam’s headline shows at Go Media Stadium.

2025 is set to be another busy year at the venue with concerts including Fat Freddy’s Drop already lined up, and premium sporting content now hosted year-round at the stadium.

The One New Zealand Warriors kick off their home NRL season in March, while Auckland FC continue their A-League through to at least April, with at least one more home derby against Wellington Phoenix to come.

Images: Auckland’s Go Media Stadium (top), Auckland FC fans at the venue (middle) and the Foo Fighters (below).

6th December 2024 - EVANZ recognises excellence in New Zealand’s venue industry at 2024 awards

4th October 2024 - EVANZ members back new Ticketing Code of Practice

8th November 2023 - EVANZ announces board election results

20th October 2024 - Capacity crowd at Go Media Stadium witness Auckland FC’s winning A-League debut

17th October 2024 - Go Media Stadium artwork celebrates stadium’s legacy

19th September 2024 - Auckland’s Go Media Stadium attracts record-breaking NRL attendance

18th July 2024 - Ticketmaster New Zealand reveals multi-year renewal of ticketing partnership with Auckland Live and Auckland Stadiums

10th July 2024 - Auckland Stadiums announces multi-year deals with Go Media and the Auckland FC

31st May 2024 - Auckland Council selects two proposals for new city stadium

21st May 2024 - Consortium behind Auckland waterfront stadium releases new designs

5th April 2024 - Auckland Stadiums welcome 220,000 fans through summer

1st March 2024 - Auckland Council considers demolition of North Harbour Stadium

7th February 2024 - Tātaki Auckland Unlimited appoints Annie Dundas as new Director Destination

3rd July 2023 - EVANZ announces award of Go Media Mt Smart Stadium All Blacks Scholarship

16th May 2023 - Naming rights sale sees Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium rebranded as Go Media Stadium

28th January 2023 - Auckland flood event sees Elton John’s Mt Smart Stadium concerts abandoned

9th November 2021 - NRL’S Warriors set for Auckland return with five matches confirmed for Mt Smart Stadium in 2022

13th July 2020 - Pollstar ranks Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium among world’s top 20 venues

31st January 2020 - Mt Smart Stadium set to become New Zealand’s biggest drive-in cinema

4th October 2019 - Mega tent erected over Mt Smart Stadium playing surface

13th February 2018 - Auckland Stadiums offers Mt Smart naming rights

15th August 2017 - LED lighting system live at Mt Smart Stadium

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