The Eden Park tour is not exactly the most popular Auckland activity, but for any sports fan it is worth going to.
This post will introduce you to Eden Park and the tour (my experience), some facts I learned, and finish up with an FAQ which is useful to know before you visit.
Thumbs up for Eden Park
Eden Park is New Zealand’s largest stadium with a capacity of 48,500 which depending on where you’re from may seem small. But for New Zealand, it’s enough capacity for all but the biggest events (a.k.a. the All Blacks).
The tour costs $34 for adults which felt a bit steep, but given the average tour has less than 10 people (don’t blame me if you get unlucky) it feels like a bit of a private tour which is awesome. I list all the prices later on.
The Eden Park Exterior. Certainly doesn’t look like a stadium!
I took the 2 pm tour on a Thursday in September 2018. There was five of us, two Canadians, two fellow kiwis and myself plus the tour guide. Our tour guide Graham said it was an extremely rare event that there were more Kiwis on the tour than international visitors.
If you’ve been on a stadium tour before, you’ll know the drill. You get to go high up in the stadium for the intro, go next to the pitch via the player’s tunnel, visit a corporate box and the coaches box, inside the changing rooms, and to other places unique to the stadium, with plenty of stories told along the way.
Speaking of stories, our guide Graham was brought up visiting Eden Park as a kid, then spent a bunch of years as an employee and now in his 70’s his passion for Eden Park is alive more than ever. This was evident through the gazillion stories he told.
If only I had the skills to be able to stand here when the stadium is full…
As great as some of the stories are, they did drag on a bit too long. The tour is scheduled for 90 minutes, which is more than enough, but our group of five didn’t finish until 140 minutes, or 2 hours and 20 minutes later. The number of stories dragged on and I tuned out for the last half hour. I hope the Canadians managed to make it to the airport in time!
Overall I did enjoy the tour, and having a tour guide who knows so much about the place is a great asset over a guide who has zero passion for the stadium or the game (rugby is more of the focus than cricket).
Anyway, there isn/t too much else to say about the tour, so here are 9 fun facts I learned about Eden Park followed by the useful pieces of information you want to know before planning your trip.
9 Things I Learned On The Eden Park Tour
Just call me Richie
1. The capacity for the stadium was increased to 60,000 for the 2011 Rugby World Cup (to meet IRB requirements). The additional seats are German made by an international events company and can be installed and removed easily. The seats used at Eden Park went on to be used at the London and Rio Olympics.
2. When Eden’s Parks stadiums were being upgraded, contractors came across an unexpected obstacle. A massive rock, which they quickly discovered was upwards of 55 metres long. Realising it was too big to remove, they build around the rock and in the depths of the stadium there is now a room that houses the exposed section of the rock (I couldn’t find any online sources referring to this, but I think I got the facts right!)
3. The stadium is used for both international rugby and cricket. When a cricket match is played, they play on drop-in cricket pitch that is taken care of outside of the stadium. The drop in cricket pitch weighs 20 tonnes and is transported with special machinery in a tray. The time to take out the ‘rugby pitch block’ and insert the cricket pitch? About an hour. The reason for doing so, is the rugby and cricket seasons are overlapping more and more, therefore, there’s no time to prepare a traditional cricket pitch. So at Eden Park, it’s possible to play rugby one day, and cricket the next.
The drop in pitch in its tray on the outer oval
4. For a rugby match, the (rye) grass is cut to 7 ml, and for cricket 3 ml.
5. There are 72 corporate boxes available for purchase at Eden Park with a seating capacity of 16-20 people. The cost of a corporate box ranges from NZ$ 70,000 – 100,000 per year. That allows you to see attend every game at the stadium (sometimes there are exceptions) of which there are about 35 each year. Want catering service in your box? Those costs are extra.
6. Speaking of catering, the kitchen at Eden Park is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere with up to 250 chefs working to prepare food for the biggest events, such as the All Blacks.
This is what I want my statue to be like. Superman!
7. On the outside of Eden Park, it’s hard to miss the canopy that hangs over one side of the stadium. This exterior was not chosen lightly, with the neighbours wellness always a concern when anything happens at Eden Park. The canopy works great for the neighbours as it still lets them get the summer sunlight and warmth.
8. The stadium grounds staff are some of the best in the world, with Turf Manager Blair Christiansen often consulted by other venues worldwide. They also have an epic man cave.
9. Do 35 events each year seem minimal to you? Many of the decision makers at Eden Park agree and would love to host more events. But due to local neighbours putting up regular resistance in regards to disruption to their lives, many events have not been able to proceed.
Kiwi’s love getting creative and in 2017, they turned Eden Park into a 9-hole golf course last year which was a huge success and is a great way to generate revenue for the stadium during the ‘downtimes’. They’re holding the event again in 2018, with other stadiums asking if they can take the concept to their place.
Check it out!
Where Does The Stadium Tour Begin From?
This is something I should have read closer on the website. The tours start at Gate G on the southern side of the stadium, which is on the far side if you’re coming from the CBD direction.
How Much Do Stadium Tour Tickets Cost?
You can book tickets online, or in person for the same price. There are two online specials that provide great value.
Adults: $34
Seniors/students: $27
Children (12 & under): $19
Family (2 adults & 2 children): $79
Online Specials (as of September 2018)
1x Adult & 1x copy of Eden Park: A History: $39
2x Adults & 1x copy of Eden Park: A History: : $59
How To Get To Eden Park
There are a few of these motivational messages around the stadium
Walking: From Britomart the walk to Eden Park is about 4.5km, though I must say it isn’t a great walk if you’re in a rush. It took me surprisingly long, about an hour following the Google Maps app directions.
Public Transport: The best way to get from the Auckland CBD is by train. You can catch the train from Britomart to Kingsland by catching the WEST line towards Swanson. Once you get off at Kingsland you’re only a 5-minute walk from Gate G.
You can view the latest timetable here.
Driving: If you’re driving yourself, there’s parking available in the Gate G Cark Park P5 off Reimers Ave.
When Are The Stadium Tours?
From Monday to Friday there are two tours daily, at 10 am and 2 pm. On Saturday and Sunday there’s one tour each day at 11 am.
Due to events etc., tours don’t run everyday therefore make sure to scroll to the bottom of the tour page to make sure they are holding tours before you go.
Who Plays Regularly At Eden Park?
Auckland Blues (rugby union)
Auckland (rugby union)
All Blacks (rugby union)
Black Caps (cricket)
White Ferns (cricket)
If you decide to take the tour of Eden Park, enjoy! Happy to answer any questions you may have. Jub.
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48,500 is not half bad Jub. Especially for New Zealand. I am impressed at that nice little stadium in Christchurch. I think it was bigger before the earthquake. We stayed in Cashmere, up in the hills, and I would pass it to go get frozen yogurt in town.