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The Government has confirmed significant changes to planning rules governing Eden Park, aimed at increasing the stadium’s ability to host major events.
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says an investigation launched late last year found existing planning provisions were overly restrictive and limited the venue’s economic potential. The Government has accepted the review’s recommendations, with technical amendments reflecting feedback from Auckland Council.
Under the new settings, Eden Park will be able to host up to 12 large concerts and 20 medium-sized concerts per year as permitted activities, without requiring resource consent.
This replaces the previous limit of 12 concerts annually, which also restricted the number of different artists or acts.
The changes, expected to take effect in April 2026, will also allow concerts on any day of the week, finishing by 11pm and running for up to eight hours. Night-time sports matches will be permitted on any day, including Sundays, subject to noise standards. Caps on the number of night games and restrictions on day-night cricket matches will be removed.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says major events deliver measurable economic benefits.
“We know big events deliver. Over three years, 14 Auckland shows – including Coldplay and Pearl Jam – generated $33.7 million for the local economy with 490,000 attendees,” Upston says.
Auckland Minister Simeon Brown says the changes will strengthen Eden Park’s role as a national stadium and support jobs and local businesses.
The reforms sit alongside the Government’s $70 million events and tourism investment package announced in September.
