It's been a big season for GoMedia Stadium as Auckland FC kept drawing in the crowds - and they're set to go bigger ahead of the upcoming play-off games.
An extra 2700 seats will be added to GoMedia Stadium ahead of Auckland's second leg semi-final on Saturday, 24 May.
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s Director of Auckland Stadiums, James Parkinson, joined Piney to discuss.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from newstalksb.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Bum Storming, brilliant, gave a football six on the bounce.
The AUCKLANDFC Alex Paulson's goal finally breached, but it wasn't
enough to silence the port and it was not enough
to lower the blue and black colors of the Alex
(00:35):
New Boys says. While Auckland f C have been making
history on the pitch in their debut A League men's season,
nearly quarter of a million fans have flooded the stands
at Go Media Stadium to watch on The Black Knights
have attracted the highest average home attendance across the entire
A League, with over eighteen thousand fans per home match
(00:56):
coming through the turnstiles Tartucky Auckland Unlimited Unlimited Director of
Auckland Stadiums is James Parkinson, who joins US now. James
and new tenants at Go Media have made quite the splash.
How much have you enjoyed partnering with Auckland f C
in their debut season.
Speaker 3 (01:14):
Yeah, thanks, Jason, No, it's been been a real blast
for our team. I mean, our whole whole focus in
operating go Media Stadium is to partner with our tenants,
whether that's the Warriors or now Auckland f C. And
we're really there to provide the platform for our tenants
(01:35):
to succeed and it's been great to see Auckland FC
do exactly that in their first year.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Did you expect attendances this big.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
Is a real tough question. We're working with Mick Becker
and his team and we're both asking each other what
we thought the crowds might be first year. I think
it's fair to say that we've both been flying away
with exactly where that attendance has landed. I mean, with
an average crowd over eighteen thousands, more than double the
(02:08):
A League average, So you're very very happy with where
that's turned out.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
How different has it been accommodating an active supporters group
the port of course who stand during matches, they bring
their own unique style of football support. How different has
that been to manage?
Speaker 3 (02:26):
Yeah, it's definitely different, but it's a real feature of
football and a feature of successful football teams, so it's
something that we've been keen to embrace. We've certainly worked
very closely with both Augland FC and the apl themselves,
and I think the trick there is we want everyone
(02:47):
to have fun. We want the active fans to have fun,
we want the families that turn up to have fun.
So it's just ensuring that all of that can happen
without things getting out of hand, and I think by
and large we've all managed that very well.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
Is here Hawkin FC have also been very innovative in
creating their Matchdake experience as a giant slide a fairest well.
They shipped in over one hundred tons of sand to
make a temporary beach over the holiday period. When Nick
Becker's name came up on your phone, did you just
start thinking to yourself, what's you come up with now?
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Yeah? But it's the great thing with Auckland f C.
And it's a great thing about go Media Stadium. It
provides a platform where that kind of creativity can happen.
So it's been a joy to see it. In fact,
the giant slide has been something we've been keen to
(03:42):
see there for some times. It was great to see
Auckland f C embrace it and it's become a real
feature of their game day.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
So the seasons are overlapping now because the NRL season's underway,
well underway, actually Auckland f C Is still going. How
much of a logistical challenge does that present to you
and your team, James having matches at go Media for
two sides, sometimes on the same weekend.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
Yeah, yeah, there is a challenge amongst all of that,
but it is really inherent in running a successful stadium
that you need to be able to do that. And
our team has become very experienced over the years of
turning the venue around, and I think we're certainly very
(04:24):
proud of the way that from our turf team and
the way that that pitch is presented each weekend through
to all members of our operational team, marketing team commercial,
they all play a vital part and turning it around
and providing that the opportunity for the fans to come
(04:44):
along and enjoy themselves.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
The A League season starts in October and runs through
to the end of May, and the NRL season goes
from March to September, which means basically, now you have
an anchor tenant at go Media Stadium for the entire
calendar year. How significant is that for you?
Speaker 3 (05:02):
It's hugely significant. I mean, Go Media Stadium is now
the busiest sports stadium in terms of attendees to sports events,
and that very much is down to having sports content
throughout the year. It's obviously based on having two very
successful tenants and both the Warriors and Auckland FC, and
(05:25):
that really is a reflection that we've got a stadium
there with a capacity at twenty five thousand that works
really well for the vast majority of sport content in
the city. You heard Nick Bettor talk yesterday about the
fact that every seats has a great view and there's
(05:46):
just the flexibility around the activation, so people come along
knowing they're going to have a great time.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
How much do you think as well, James, the fact
that the shape of the playing service at go Media
is rectangular improves the atmosphere, with the crowd basically right
on top of the players regardless of where they are.
Speaker 3 (06:04):
Really it's key the combination of the capacity so the
Warriors and Auckland f C can go out there confident
that they've got the ability to sell the place out.
The fans know they need to get them early and
buy their tickets to ensure they're there, and then the
fans themselves become a big part of the experience with
(06:26):
the atmosphere that they create, so it shifts the dynamic.
People no longer want to just be at home watching
their game, They actually want to be there and be
part of it absolutely.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
Now, of course, there was a school of thought that APL,
who run the a League, might take the Grand Final
if Auckland FC were to make it to Eden Park,
which of course has a bigger capacity, in order to
get more ticket revenue. Now, thankfully sanity has prevailed and
the Grand Final of Auckland FC make it will be
at go Media. What was your part in those discussions.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
I think it comes back yet again. Our whole philosophy
is around partnering. We knew how important having that home
game waned to Auckland FC. We took the time and
our discussions with the APL to understand what was important
to them, and the routy is it's more than just
the ticket revenue. There are other ways for them to
(07:20):
get commercial returns out of their events, and so we
found ways to deliver that for them and I think
it's a great, great outcome for the APL, for Auckland FC,
and certainly for their fans.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
So you're putting in twenty seven hundred Exra seats for
the semi then eight hundred more off Auckland FC make
it through to the Grand Final. How about a logistical
exercises that for your team?
Speaker 3 (07:44):
Well, yeah, we've been fortunate, We've had plenty of opportunities
to get temporary seats and over the years. The last
time was for the or Block South Africa game at
Media Stadium, so again it's something we're used to. This
time it's a little bit different doing is than two tranches,
(08:06):
but yeah, every confidence that that will go very smoothly.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
And that weekend of the semi final. I know you
know this because it's a new calendar, but just to clarify,
of course there's the semi final of the A League
on the Saturday and then Lease or actually in fact
almost exactly twenty four hours later, the Warriors host Canberra.
So will you leave those twenty seven hundred extraceipts there
for sale for the Warriors?
Speaker 3 (08:30):
Well, certainly the seats will be there. Ultimately, that decision
around how they used is up to the Warriors and
obsidly leave that to them to make any announcements around that,
but it is no question it's a big weekend. In
addition to those two games at go Media, our team
(08:50):
have also got the Black Fans game up at North
Harbor on the Saturday as well, So big weekend to
sport and.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
Aw absolutely, and of course you've welcomed to Moana Pacifica
to Albany on a full time basis the Super Rugby
season as well. How's that relationship going.
Speaker 3 (09:05):
Yeah, no, we've enjoyed the relationship with MYNA. It's one
that formed before they played the first game on the
field and it's been great to see how that presence
up at North Harbor has already worked for them, having
both their training base and game venue up there, and
(09:26):
the fans seem to have really taken to it. I
think the game against the Blues next weekend will be
a magical experience up there.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
And of course two hundred and thirty five thousand plus
fans need to be fed and watered, so your team
has sent me some stats here. Two hundred and fifteen
thousand beverages served across the A leg season, one hundred
and ten thousand portions of hot food. That doesn't include
the corporate spaces, and we know what they're like with
food and drink. Your cater is a working over time too,
by the sounds of it, James.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
Yes, and we've enjoyed We've got a new catering partner
on board ovation. We only recent le into New Zealand
and so it's been great to welcome them and them
in with the stadium going so well, well, I think
we've we've done a great job with our food and
(10:18):
beverage this year, but it's certainly an area that we
can see plenty of opportunity to improve as well, and
that's what we'll be looking forward to doing for our
fans over the coming months.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
How do you spend next days? You know, you don't
get out in the active support. I'm not going to
see you jumping up and down in the port come
SEEMI Final day, James.
Speaker 3 (10:39):
Probably probably not in among support, but I'll certainly certainly
be there. And yeah, I mean it's it is a
great experience man. Now, our team in terms of venue operators,
we get our satisfaction out of delivering these events and
just seeing the people have a great time, and we've
(11:01):
been seeing that in abundance throughout the season.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
Yeah. Well, I've had the very fortunate honor of being
there for every single Auckland FC home game, and I
hadn't had the chance really to spend much time at
go Media Stadium in the past, James, But I can
only congratulate you and your team on the match to
experience that you allow to happen there. Clearly it's taken
some flexibility on your part as well. So look, I
hope we get another couple of really big nights there
(11:25):
at go Media and of course the Warriors as well
on towards there are very successful NRL season so far too.
Thanks for joining us this afternoon, James has been great
chatting to you.
Speaker 3 (11:34):
Yep, thank you, Jason, much appreciated.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
All the best, mate, James Parkinson, Director of Auckland Stadiums
overseeing go Media also North Harbor Stadium and Western Springs
as well. You know, it's just been look at. Anyone
who's been to an Auckland FC home game will tell
you nothing compares in terms of the experience. You can't
just sit on the couch and watch the game. You'll
(11:57):
miss out. You'll miss out. What about that weekend twenty
four to twenty five May twenty fourth, the May the
Saturday night six o'clock Auckland FC against Melbourne victory in
the second League of the semi with a place in
the Grand Final on the line at the end of it.
And then twenty four hours later Warriors v Canberra Raiders,
the team that gave them a bit of a hiding
(12:20):
in Vegas and round one of the NRL season. I
said to Francesca when we chad to just before midday,
I think might just roll out of bed. Think I
just stay there for the whole weekends.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk said B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from newstalksb.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Bum Storming, brilliant, gave a football six on the bounce.
The AUCKLANDFC Alex Paulson's goal finally breached, but it wasn't
enough to silence the port and it was not enough
to lower the blue and black colors of the Alex
(00:35):
New Boys says. While Auckland f C have been making
history on the pitch in their debut A League men's season,
nearly quarter of a million fans have flooded the stands
at Go Media Stadium to watch on The Black Knights
have attracted the highest average home attendance across the entire
A League, with over eighteen thousand fans per home match
(00:56):
coming through the turnstiles Tartucky Auckland Unlimited Unlimited Director of
Auckland Stadiums is James Parkinson, who joins US now. James
and new tenants at Go Media have made quite the splash.
How much have you enjoyed partnering with Auckland f C
in their debut season.
Speaker 3 (01:14):
Yeah, thanks, Jason, No, it's been been a real blast
for our team. I mean, our whole whole focus in
operating go Media Stadium is to partner with our tenants,
whether that's the Warriors or now Auckland f C. And
we're really there to provide the platform for our tenants
(01:35):
to succeed and it's been great to see Auckland FC
do exactly that in their first year.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Did you expect attendances this big.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
Is a real tough question. We're working with Mick Becker
and his team and we're both asking each other what
we thought the crowds might be first year. I think
it's fair to say that we've both been flying away
with exactly where that attendance has landed. I mean, with
an average crowd over eighteen thousands, more than double the
(02:08):
A League average, So you're very very happy with where
that's turned out.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
How different has it been accommodating an active supporters group
the port of course who stand during matches, they bring
their own unique style of football support. How different has
that been to manage?
Speaker 3 (02:26):
Yeah, it's definitely different, but it's a real feature of
football and a feature of successful football teams, so it's
something that we've been keen to embrace. We've certainly worked
very closely with both Augland FC and the apl themselves,
and I think the trick there is we want everyone
(02:47):
to have fun. We want the active fans to have fun,
we want the families that turn up to have fun.
So it's just ensuring that all of that can happen
without things getting out of hand, and I think by
and large we've all managed that very well.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
Is here Hawkin FC have also been very innovative in
creating their Matchdake experience as a giant slide a fairest well.
They shipped in over one hundred tons of sand to
make a temporary beach over the holiday period. When Nick
Becker's name came up on your phone, did you just
start thinking to yourself, what's you come up with now?
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Yeah? But it's the great thing with Auckland f C.
And it's a great thing about go Media Stadium. It
provides a platform where that kind of creativity can happen.
So it's been a joy to see it. In fact,
the giant slide has been something we've been keen to
(03:42):
see there for some times. It was great to see
Auckland f C embrace it and it's become a real
feature of their game day.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
So the seasons are overlapping now because the NRL season's underway,
well underway, actually Auckland f C Is still going. How
much of a logistical challenge does that present to you
and your team, James having matches at go Media for
two sides, sometimes on the same weekend.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
Yeah, yeah, there is a challenge amongst all of that,
but it is really inherent in running a successful stadium
that you need to be able to do that. And
our team has become very experienced over the years of
turning the venue around, and I think we're certainly very
(04:24):
proud of the way that from our turf team and
the way that that pitch is presented each weekend through
to all members of our operational team, marketing team commercial,
they all play a vital part and turning it around
and providing that the opportunity for the fans to come
(04:44):
along and enjoy themselves.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
The A League season starts in October and runs through
to the end of May, and the NRL season goes
from March to September, which means basically, now you have
an anchor tenant at go Media Stadium for the entire
calendar year. How significant is that for you?
Speaker 3 (05:02):
It's hugely significant. I mean, Go Media Stadium is now
the busiest sports stadium in terms of attendees to sports events,
and that very much is down to having sports content
throughout the year. It's obviously based on having two very
successful tenants and both the Warriors and Auckland FC, and
(05:25):
that really is a reflection that we've got a stadium
there with a capacity at twenty five thousand that works
really well for the vast majority of sport content in
the city. You heard Nick Bettor talk yesterday about the
fact that every seats has a great view and there's
(05:46):
just the flexibility around the activation, so people come along
knowing they're going to have a great time.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
How much do you think as well, James, the fact
that the shape of the playing service at go Media
is rectangular improves the atmosphere, with the crowd basically right
on top of the players regardless of where they are.
Speaker 3 (06:04):
Really it's key the combination of the capacity so the
Warriors and Auckland f C can go out there confident
that they've got the ability to sell the place out.
The fans know they need to get them early and
buy their tickets to ensure they're there, and then the
fans themselves become a big part of the experience with
(06:26):
the atmosphere that they create, so it shifts the dynamic.
People no longer want to just be at home watching
their game, They actually want to be there and be
part of it absolutely.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
Now, of course, there was a school of thought that APL,
who run the a League, might take the Grand Final
if Auckland FC were to make it to Eden Park,
which of course has a bigger capacity, in order to
get more ticket revenue. Now, thankfully sanity has prevailed and
the Grand Final of Auckland FC make it will be
at go Media. What was your part in those discussions.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
I think it comes back yet again. Our whole philosophy
is around partnering. We knew how important having that home
game waned to Auckland FC. We took the time and
our discussions with the APL to understand what was important
to them, and the routy is it's more than just
the ticket revenue. There are other ways for them to
(07:20):
get commercial returns out of their events, and so we
found ways to deliver that for them and I think
it's a great, great outcome for the APL, for Auckland FC,
and certainly for their fans.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
So you're putting in twenty seven hundred Exra seats for
the semi then eight hundred more off Auckland FC make
it through to the Grand Final. How about a logistical
exercises that for your team?
Speaker 3 (07:44):
Well, yeah, we've been fortunate, We've had plenty of opportunities
to get temporary seats and over the years. The last
time was for the or Block South Africa game at
Media Stadium, so again it's something we're used to. This
time it's a little bit different doing is than two tranches,
(08:06):
but yeah, every confidence that that will go very smoothly.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
And that weekend of the semi final. I know you
know this because it's a new calendar, but just to clarify,
of course there's the semi final of the A League
on the Saturday and then Lease or actually in fact
almost exactly twenty four hours later, the Warriors host Canberra.
So will you leave those twenty seven hundred extraceipts there
for sale for the Warriors?
Speaker 3 (08:30):
Well, certainly the seats will be there. Ultimately, that decision
around how they used is up to the Warriors and
obsidly leave that to them to make any announcements around that,
but it is no question it's a big weekend. In
addition to those two games at go Media, our team
(08:50):
have also got the Black Fans game up at North
Harbor on the Saturday as well, So big weekend to
sport and.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
Aw absolutely, and of course you've welcomed to Moana Pacifica
to Albany on a full time basis the Super Rugby
season as well. How's that relationship going.
Speaker 3 (09:05):
Yeah, no, we've enjoyed the relationship with MYNA. It's one
that formed before they played the first game on the
field and it's been great to see how that presence
up at North Harbor has already worked for them, having
both their training base and game venue up there, and
(09:26):
the fans seem to have really taken to it. I
think the game against the Blues next weekend will be
a magical experience up there.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
And of course two hundred and thirty five thousand plus
fans need to be fed and watered, so your team
has sent me some stats here. Two hundred and fifteen
thousand beverages served across the A leg season, one hundred
and ten thousand portions of hot food. That doesn't include
the corporate spaces, and we know what they're like with
food and drink. Your cater is a working over time too,
by the sounds of it, James.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
Yes, and we've enjoyed We've got a new catering partner
on board ovation. We only recent le into New Zealand
and so it's been great to welcome them and them
in with the stadium going so well, well, I think
we've we've done a great job with our food and
(10:18):
beverage this year, but it's certainly an area that we
can see plenty of opportunity to improve as well, and
that's what we'll be looking forward to doing for our
fans over the coming months.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
How do you spend next days? You know, you don't
get out in the active support. I'm not going to
see you jumping up and down in the port come
SEEMI Final day, James.
Speaker 3 (10:39):
Probably probably not in among support, but I'll certainly certainly
be there. And yeah, I mean it's it is a
great experience man. Now, our team in terms of venue operators,
we get our satisfaction out of delivering these events and
just seeing the people have a great time, and we've
(11:01):
been seeing that in abundance throughout the season.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
Yeah. Well, I've had the very fortunate honor of being
there for every single Auckland FC home game, and I
hadn't had the chance really to spend much time at
go Media Stadium in the past, James, But I can
only congratulate you and your team on the match to
experience that you allow to happen there. Clearly it's taken
some flexibility on your part as well. So look, I
hope we get another couple of really big nights there
(11:25):
at go Media and of course the Warriors as well
on towards there are very successful NRL season so far too.
Thanks for joining us this afternoon, James has been great
chatting to you.
Speaker 3 (11:34):
Yep, thank you, Jason, much appreciated.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
All the best, mate, James Parkinson, Director of Auckland Stadiums
overseeing go Media also North Harbor Stadium and Western Springs
as well. You know, it's just been look at. Anyone
who's been to an Auckland FC home game will tell
you nothing compares in terms of the experience. You can't
just sit on the couch and watch the game. You'll
(11:57):
miss out. You'll miss out. What about that weekend twenty
four to twenty five May twenty fourth, the May the
Saturday night six o'clock Auckland FC against Melbourne victory in
the second League of the semi with a place in
the Grand Final on the line at the end of it.
And then twenty four hours later Warriors v Canberra Raiders,
the team that gave them a bit of a hiding
(12:20):
in Vegas and round one of the NRL season. I
said to Francesca when we chad to just before midday,
I think might just roll out of bed. Think I
just stay there for the whole weekends.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk said B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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