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Eden Park is hoping to make space for thousands of car parks on its outer oval as part of its plan to convert the stadium into a multi-purpose destination. 

The park’s chief executive, Nick Sautner, told Herald NOW this morning that without more major events in its pipeline, the venue won’t be viable. 

Ever-changing conditions over the past six years have forced the company to orient its business model towards concerts and major shows. 

Now, as they advance plans for their staged “Eden Park 2.1″ redevelopment, assets such as dedicated parking could help boost profit and would guarantee space for patrons with mobility and accessibility needs. 

“I think when we do our redevelopment, the outer oval should have a two-level carpark, park and ride,“ Sautner said. 

“When you look at the upzoning of the area, there’s a shortage of car parking. The number one complaint we get from residents is around traffic management and car parking. 

“So there’s infrastructure needed to enhance our operations.” 

Sautner said with those plans, they could “easily get 1500 car parks on the outer oval”, which would then allow a footbridge to extend over Sandringham Rd into Kingsland. 

“Those shops in Kingsland and Dominion Rd that have a shortage of parking would then have that facility available also.” 

Sautner compared the proposal to Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium, which has 2500 covered car parks and operates 24/7, with rates varying on event days. 

“We don’t want to encourage 50,000 people to drive to Eden Park. We’ve got our CRL infrastructure. But we want to be able to have 1500 cars that accommodate perhaps a percentage of our mobility and accessibility patrons.” 

Remaining parks were expected to be taken up by big spenders willing to pay for on-site parking. 

Eden Park’s 2026 season was shaping up to be quieter than the past 12 months, which has seen three sold-out Coldplay concerts, two Luke Combs shows, and Metallica take over the city just last week. 

Sautner said the park’s main challenge for securing further artists “is that our constraints are a major deterrent for promoters to come to New Zealand”. 

He praised the introduction of a $70m events fund to attract more acts to our shores, but noted it would take time to set up, and opportunities for artists like Oasis, AC/DC and Lady Gaga have gone begging. 

“If that event fund had been implemented perhaps 12 months earlier, I think we would have had a much greater chance of having a stronger ‘26 content.” 

Auckland’s perpetual debate over upgrading Eden Park or building a new waterfront stadium was seemingly settled this year when Auckland Council endorsed the Eden Park 2.1 plan as its preferred option for the city’s main stadium. 

To be completed in three stages, the proposal would first see the lower North Stand reconfigured to include retractable seating and a dining concourse while bringing fans closer to the pitch. 

The stadium’s capacity will be increased to 50,000 for rugby matches, and to 70,000-plus for concerts. 

The second stage would include a full redevelopment of the North Stand to architecturally align it with the South Stand and add function and entertainment spaces, along with a potential hotel. 

The final stage would see a long-term adaptation plan implemented with additional infrastructure installed, including a retractable roof to weatherproof events. 

The timeline for the entire project is set between five and 15 year. It is understood the Eden Park Trust is seeking Government funding to begin the first stage. 

Tom Rose is an Auckland-based journalist who covers breaking news, specialising in lifestyle, entertainment and travel. He joined the Herald in 2023.