Future use of Western Springs Stadium

Future use of Western Springs Stadium

This consultation closed on Sunday 15 June 2025. Thank you for having your say.

Auckland Council and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU) held a public consultation from 19 May to 15 June 2025 to invite feedback on proposals for the future use of the stadium.

There were a wide range of views from the 14,894 submissions received, with no clear majority for any one option.

Thirty-three percent of submitters indicated a preference for the option to explore other ideas. Thirty per cent favoured the proposal to develop a Western Springs Bowl, while 21 per cent preferred the Auckland Arena proposal and 16 per cent preferred to keep things as they are.

Feedback from organisations was evenly split, with the options to develop a Western Springs Bowl, or to explore other ideas both slightly preferred (33 per cent each), over the Auckland Arena proposal (29 per cent). The option to keep things as they are was supported by only 3 per cent.

Over a quarter of submissions (27 per cent) came from residents in either the Albert-Eden or Waitematā Local Board areas. Submissions were otherwise relatively well distributed across most Auckland local board areas.

The outcome

Following consultation in 2025, the Auckland Arena proposal was withdrawn. TAU subsequently undertook further work to develop a revised Western Springs Bowl proposal, responding to issues raised through consultation and initial analysis, alongside consideration of retaining the status quo or undertaking further work on alternative future uses for the stadium.

A revised Western Springs Bowl concept was recommended to Auckland Council’s Governing Body, who endorsed the proposal on 31 March 2026.

The Western Springs Bowl concept includes investment by TAU of up to $2.5 million from within existing budgets to enhance the venue for concerts, festivals and boutique sports events, alongside community use, and a five-year lease extension for Ponsonby Rugby Club. The venue will be complementary to other stadiums in the network and is expected to generate new exciting opportunities and content for Auckland.

More information on the decision and related details is available here.