Auckland Arena – design description

What is the Auckland Arena project in a nutshell?

The Auckland Arena project involves a major redevelopment of Western Springs Stadium and turning it into a football-specific venue. The new stadium is to become the home of Auckland FC, a newly formed club that has joined the Australian A-League.

However, the planned transformation comes with controversy – the city has already renounced motorsports competitions that have a nearly 100-year tradition at the facility, and talks are underway with concert promoters and the rugby club.

Instead, Auckland may gain a state-of-the-art football stadium with a capacity of 15,000 spectators, to be financed with private funds. The investment is expected to not only improve the city's sports infrastructure, but also benefit the local economy.

What does Western Springs Stadium look like?

Western Springs Stadium is a multi-purpose sports facility with an oval racetrack and field. The stadium was built in a natural basin, with its stands resting on slopes and offering a capacity of about 20,000 spectators for sporting events – during concerts the stadium can accommodate up to 50,000 people. The facility is located less than 5 kilometers west of Auckland's city center.

The stadium has a nearly 100-year tradition of hosting motorcycle races, organized by Western Springs Speedway. The facility also hosts rugby matches of the Ponsonby RFC and concerts of famous music stars – David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top, Bob Marley, Elton John, Bon Jovi, U2 and Eminem, among others, have performed there.

How did plans for a new stadium for Auckland FC come about?

In June 2024, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU), which manages Western Springs Stadium on behalf of the city, invited interested parties to submit their proposals for the future of the facility.

TAU's goal was to find a new operator that would not require public support. Reports emerged immediately that Auckland FC could be interested in taking over the facility.

When was Western Springs Stadium rid of motorsports?

On October 30, 2024, the City Council made the controversial decision to move the loss-making motorsports events out of Western Springs Stadium – but instead earmarked NZ$11 million to renovate another, more modest racetrack at Waikaraka Park, where Western Springs Speedway was to move in 2025.

What will be the fate of the other entities using Western Springs Stadium?

Two other entities using the stadium, rugby club Ponsonby RFC and CRS Records Limited, which holds concerts at the stadium, are in talks with Tātaki Auckland Unlimited. Both organizations have expressed a desire to continue using the facility, saying they are willing to make investments, such as expanding the stands and building a permanent concert stage.

When was the design of the new stadium for Auckland FC unveiled?

As previously reported, Auckland FC's owners have joined the discussion about the future of Western Springs Stadium. In March 2025, the first renderings appeared in the media, showing a design for a new football stadium that would be built on the site of the current facility and become a new home for the club.

What is Auckland FC?

The football club Auckland FC was founded in 2024 and entered the A-League, Australia's top professional football league, beginning in the 2024/25 season – as the 13th team (and the second from New Zealand at this point, alongside Wellington Phoenix). The club plays its matches at Mount Smart Stadium.

The new club is owned by American billionaire Bill Foley, and shares in Auckland FC are also held by Los Angeles FC owner Bennett Rosenthal, former All Blacks lock Ali Williams and his wife, Anna Mowbray, as well as NBA star Steven Adams.

What are the plans for a new stadium for Auckland FC?

Auckland FC's stadium is to be built as a result of the redevelopment of Western Springs Stadium – new stands are to be built inside the bowl, and will be located right next to the football field. The stands will be built on three sides, and those along the pitch will receive a canopy. The total capacity of the stadium will be 15,000 people. The stadium will still offer the possibility of holding concerts, with an audience of more than 25,000.

Next to the stadium there will be an extensive utility building with social facilities and food and beverage offerings. There will also be paddle and netball courts, basketball and football fields and parking lots. The project has been given the working name Auckland Arena.

Will the Auckland Arena project come to fruition?

The further fate of Western Springs Stadium depends on the decision of councilors. Economic considerations may prove to be the key argument – the owners of Auckland FC are planning to invest NZ$300 million in the stadium and are promising to make profits from its operation.

The discussion around the stadium's future has even been described in the media as a “stadium war” – analogous to the earlier dispute over Auckland's main stadium, which ended with the city council's support for the Eden Park expansion.