Auckland’s two most historic sporting codes, cricket and rugby, are set to leave their long-time home at Eden Park under a new foundational agreement designed to reshape the city’s stadium landscape.
Auckland Cricket will relocate to a new, purpose-built facility at Colin Maiden Park, while the Auckland Rugby Union is beginning its search for a new base. The deal, signed by Auckland Council, the Crown, the Eden Park Trust, Auckland Cricket, and the Auckland Rugby Union, aims to create a network of more sustainable and specialised venues across the region.
A council statement said the goal is to "make better use of Auckland’s stadium assets and support more sustainable and tailored venues." The agreement paves the way for both sports to move away from legacy arrangements at the country’s largest stadium, which have been described as no longer suitable for their needs.
Minister for Auckland Simon Watts says the move is a practical step forward. “This practical first step paves the way for cricket and rugby to resolve long-standing legacy arrangements at Eden Park that are no longer fit for purpose,” he said.
New $10 million home for cricket
The centrepiece of the deal is a $10 million redevelopment of Colin Maiden Park into a modern, high-performance 'cricketing hub'. The funding, part of the recently announced Auckland City Deal, is being split evenly between Auckland Council and the Crown.
The comprehensive upgrade will transform the Glen Innes site, currently home to the Auckland University Cricket Club. Plans include a significant expansion and reorientation of the main wicket block, a new outfield, spectator embankments, a new pavilion with modern changing rooms, and new broadcast infrastructure.
A major feature will be an all-weather grass training facility, funded separately by New Zealand Cricket (NZC). This facility will replicate the high-performance centres in Tauranga and Lincoln, allowing top players to train on grass year-round, regardless of Auckland’s often-unpredictable weather.
Interim NZC chief executive Graham Parks says the upgrades are a significant boost for the sport. “In particular, all-weather facilities are increasingly important in building resiliency for a sport that is vulnerable to the impacts of weather,” Parks said. “Our top cricketers being able to practise on grass, regardless of the weather in Auckland, is a development that is long overdue and something NZC is very happy to facilitate.”
Construction on the pitch, outfield, and embankments will begin shortly, with a target completion date of January next year. The new pavilion and indoor facilities are expected to be fully operational by January 2027.
Auckland Rugby seeks new beginnings
While Auckland Cricket has a clear path forward, the Auckland Rugby Union is now tasked with finding a new home. Having been based at Eden Park since 1925, the move marks the end of an era for the 17-time national champions.
Auckland Rugby chairman Brent Metson confirmed the organisation is “closing in on an exit strategy from Eden Park” and is actively looking for a new “fit-for-purpose” regional facility. This likely means a smaller venue better suited to the typical crowd sizes of provincial rugby matches, which can feel sparse in the cavernous 50,000-seat Eden Park.
The departure from Eden Park signals a major shift for the union, which has historically been the powerhouse of New Zealand provincial rugby. A dedicated, modern home could provide the organisation with new revenue streams and a more intimate match-day atmosphere for its supporters.
A long-running stadium dilemma
The move to right-size venues for specific sports is part of a broader, decades-long conversation about Auckland’s stadium strategy. The city boasts several large outdoor venues, including Go Media Stadium, North Harbour Stadium, and Western Springs, but has long been criticised for lacking a world-class, medium-sized indoor arena.
This deficiency has seen Auckland miss out on major international concerts and events, with artists like Sting and Bruce Springsteen reportedly skipping the city due to a lack of suitable venues. In one infamous case, fans were soaked by rain during a Ricky Martin concert at the outdoor Ericsson Stadium, highlighting the risks of relying on open-air facilities. The situation became a point of embarrassment when Neil Diamond bypassed Auckland to play four shows in Christchurch's indoor arena.
Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson says the new agreement aligns with a vision for a more vibrant city. “I want to see more sport, culture, concerts and major events in Auckland,” she says. “These are the experiences that showcase our diversity and help create a vibrant, globally connected city.”
For Eden Park, the departure of its two anchor tenants frees up its calendar, allowing it to more aggressively pursue major concerts and one-off international sporting events. Eden Park Trust Board chairman Simon Bridges says the agreement “gives momentum to our future plans for Eden Park.”
Bringing all of these elements together creates a true home for Auckland Cricket.
