Independent Report Shows Eden Park Delivers Over $37m Annual GDP Boost – With Potential To Triple To $107m

A new independent report by the University of Auckland confirms Eden Park delivers more than $37m in annual GDP benefits to Auckland – a figure that could almost triple to $107m if the stadium hosted the 12 concerts currently permitted under its consent.

The report, The Economic Contribution of Eden Park to the Auckland Region, analysed events held during the 2023/24 financial year (1 November 2023 – 31 October 2024). This included three large concerts (two P!NK shows and Travis Scott), two All Blacks tests, ten Super Rugby Pacific games, four NPC matches and three Black Caps fixtures.

The study shows Eden Park events draw hundreds of thousands of people each year, supporting jobs, filling local restaurants and hotels, and attracting global artists and fixtures. As New Zealand’s largest stadium, hosting 50,000 for sport and more than 65,000 for concerts, these benefits are delivered at a scale unmatched anywhere else in the country.

Key findings include:

• Eden Park’s two P!NK concerts and Travis Scott concert generated almost $24m in net GDP, while the 22 sporting fixtures delivered a further $13.3m.
• A single large concert adds an average of $8.3m GDP, supports 114 full-time equivalent jobs, and generates $4.3m in household incomes.
• Large sporting matches contribute around $2.8m GDP per match, with their impact building across a season.
• Hosting the 12 concerts permitted under current consent would lift Eden Park’s annual GDP impact to $107m – almost triple current levels.

Eden Park CEO Nick Sautner said the findings provide independent confirmation of the stadium’s role as an economic driver for Auckland and New Zealand.

“Eden Park is much more than a stadium – it’s a catalyst for jobs, tourism, hospitality and community vibrancy. This research confirms that every event we host delivers real benefits for Aucklanders, from the students working in our casual workforce to the local businesses that thrive on event days.

“With greater utilisation, Eden Park has the proven capacity to triple its contribution to the regional economy. Independent analysis like this is essential because it gives our community and decision-makers confidence in the scale of value Eden Park delivers.

We are proud to partner with the University of Auckland on this study, which clearly demonstrates the benefits the stadium generates for our city and our country.”

Lead author Dr James Allan Jones of the University of Auckland Business School said concerts in particular deliver outsized benefits:

“Our modelling shows that large concerts at Eden Park generate nearly three times the GDP impact of an All Blacks test match. They bring in substantial numbers of visitors from outside the region and inject millions directly into the hospitality and accommodation sectors. At the same time, sporting fixtures remain vital for their steady cumulative impact across a season.”

University of Auckland Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater said the report highlights the strength of the Eden Park–University of Auckland partnership:

“The University of Auckland is proud to be Eden Park’s exclusive education and research partner. This collaboration aims to deliver real-world outcomes for our city by using research to create meaningful impact.”

The study also highlights Eden Park’s role in sustaining neighbourhood centres like Kingsland, Mt Eden and Morningside, where event-driven foot traffic supports hospitality and retail businesses year-round. Recent community consultation found 91 percent of local residents support more concerts at Eden Park.

The full report is available for download via this link: The Economic Contribution of Eden Park to the Auckland Region.

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