AUSTRALIAN WATERSLIDES AND LEISURE
A leading designer and manufacturer of innovative waterslides and attractions, Australian Waterslides and Leisure (AWL) is also able to advise clients in the areas of concept and design, feasibility…
read moreThe newly released Eden Park annual report has advised of a “year of two halves” for New Zealand’s largest stadium, with sporting successes, community involvement and the hosting of the venue’s first concert balanced with the negative impact of COVID-19 lockdowns limiting its events programme.
Covering the year to 31st October 2021, the Auckland venue saw its year-on-year net operating profit before interest and depreciation increase from the previous year (also impacted by Coronavirus) from $2.94 million to $6.42 million. Eden Park’s net loss (excluding council grants, government wage subsidies and resurgence payments) also dropped from $7.1 million in 2019/20 to $4.3 million in 2020/21.
The report advises that this represents the strongest financial performance in the venue’s history, which Eden Park Chief Executive, Nick Sautner called “a phenomenal achievement considering the challenges presented by COVID-19”.
Sautner also pointed to the importance of Eden Park’s increasingly diverse events calendar, including concerts and live events, while, in its statement, Eden Park said the results continue to reflect the challenge of managing a “significant depreciation charge” due to the underlying high value of the stadium assets.
Although included as income in its financial statements, the council grants were utilised for funding the purchase of key infrastructure assets, including upgrades to the CCTV system, the completion of a new turf platform for the Number 1 field and supporting turf equipment, noise attenuation works, upgrades to lifts and sports lights, and the completion of the stadium’s new superscreen.
COVID-19 led to Eden Park losing three major events: the T20 cricket match between New Zealand and Australia and two All Blacks Test matches against Argentina and South Africa.
Cancellations were offset by the second Bledisloe Cup match between New Zealand and Australia, and the Argentina Test was additional to the stadium’s original allocation.
Eden Park also hosted the SIX60 concert - the first event of its kind at the venue - and the Wellington Phoenix v Perth Glory A-League football match. Eden Park’s Staydium Glamping domes contributed to revenue from non-sporting avenues.
Looking forward, the annual report said Eden Park’s financial outlook for 2022 is “uncertain”, with the venue continuing to plan based on limited international travel. However, a “normal” event schedule is anticipated from domestic rugby, Super Rugby and international rugby, while Women’s Cricket World Cup and women’s Rugby World Cup matches are also planned this year.
Additionally, activities such as stadium tours, Staydium Glamping and the new rooftop tour are set to continue, with the venue to also continue operating as a function centre. Stand-alone events such as G9 Golf will also take place, with another SIX60 concert scheduled for April.
Saunter went on to explain “throughout this year’s annual report, you’ll find images of Eden Park’s greatest moments. You’ll see our sporting successes, our community in action, and our first concert - the largest concert in the world since COVID-19.
“But these images are just a snapshot of Eden Park’s last 12 months. They do not show the challenges that our stadium and industry has faced. There is no way to accurately capture the disruption of COVID-19 or the challenges of continued event postponement and cancellation.
However, despite the hurdles in front of us, our team remains committed to fulfilling the Eden Park vision: to be recognised as New Zealand’s national stadium, providing world-class live events. We continue to innovate outside of our normal parameters and consider ways to give back to the community. The pathway to delivering events may be unclear, but we aspire to continue creatively utilising our community asset for the good of our region and our people.”
Sautner also paid special thanks to the venue’s hirers, partners, members and corporate suite holders, adding “this year has been uniquely challenging, and we are deeply appreciative of the support we have received from all the Park’s wider whanau.”
Click here to view the Eden Park Trust’s Annual Report for the year to 31st October 2021.
Images: The All Blacks at Eden Park (top), the venue hosting SIX60 concert (middle) and hosting the Black Caps (below).
23rd December 2021 - New Zealand’s TRENZ Hui tourism event moves to Eden Park for 2022
21st December 2021 - Eden Park becomes Australasia’s first stadium to earn renowned WELL Health-Safety seal
27th September 2021 - Guns N’ Roses to be first international band to play at Auckland’s Eden Park
3rd August 2021 - Changed Bledisloe Cup schedule will see Eden Park host two tests
27th July 2021 - Eden Park will host first Bledisloe Cup test with Wallabies granted travel exemption for New Zealand trip
29th June 2021 - Pollstar recognises Auckland’s Eden Park as world’s number one stadium
13th May 2021 - Auckland’s Eden Park joins vGRID SaferCities network
25th April 2021 - More than 50,000 fans attend first-ever concert at Auckland’s Eden Park
21st April 2021 - Auckland’s Eden Park saves 16 million litres of tap water
29th March 2021 - Auckland’s Eden Park rated as the world’s most popular cricket ground
15th March 2021 - Eden Park announces SIX60 as headliners of its first concert
16th February 2021 - Samsung and Eden Park partner to install New Zealand’s largest digital screen
9th February 2021 - Auckland’s Eden Park gets confirmation it can stage concert events
15th January 2021 - Eden Park makes history by gaining rights to stage concerts
4th December 2020 - Devotees get the chance to take home a part of Eden Park’s hallowed turf
20th November 2020 - Eden Park launches new TORO Turf Cam allowing fans to watch venue transformation
4th November 2020 - Eden Park backs New Zealand disability employment initiative
17th October 2020 - Eden Park prepares for Sunday’s Bledisloe Cup clash
12th October 2020 - Eden Park takes on fish and chip business naming rights for Bledisloe Cup
6th October 2020 - ASB makes history with Eden Park naming rights deal
Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?
As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.
The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.
A leading designer and manufacturer of innovative waterslides and attractions, Australian Waterslides and Leisure (AWL) is also able to advise clients in the areas of concept and design, feasibility…
read moreOtium Planning Group is a contemporary sport and leisure consultancy providing services in planning, facility development, management and funding for the sport, recreation and leisure industries…
read moreGladstone Health & Leisure (Gladstone MRM Pty Ltd Australia) is a leading supplier of leisure management and fitness software and is endorsed by leading health and fitness professionals and…
read moreParkequip is an approved supplier under the NSW LGP Contract 308 for a range of products including play equipment, shade, shelters, safe fall, park furniture and school outdoor seating. All materials…
read moreCentaman has been a market leader in Enterprise Software Solutions for the leisure and recreation industry and both profit and not-for-profit attractions since 1991. It offers a wide range of software…
read moreNow TPEC Pool Enclosures - see www.ausleisure.com.au/suppliers/tpec-pool-enclosures
read moreSince 2019, Active World's development team has been delivering a comprehensive single solution that caters to the diverse requirements of successfully operated and managed leisure centres. The…
read moreSLE Worldwide Australia is a Managing General Underwriter specialising in insuring risks in the world of Sports, Leisure and Entertainment. Be it relaxing, playing, organising or watching sports,…
read moreGet your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!