July 15, 2025 • 8 mins
Eden Park has been home ground for the Blues since the inaugural Super Rugby season in 1996 - but change could be on the horizon.
The Auckland rugby franchise has asked for public feedback on moving their home games to Mt Smart Stadium for the 2026 season.
Eden Park CEO Nick Sautner joins Jason Pine to discuss his concerns about the potential move, and how the stadium can deliver the best fan experience.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
The Blues are reportedly considering a move away from Eden Park.
Their contract with the venue ended at the end of
the recently completed twenty twenty five Super Rugby season, and
they've begun surveying their fans to find out whether they
would be in favor of a move to Mount Smart.
They've sent out a survey to their members and one
of the questions asks them whether they would be more
(00:35):
likely to come along to a Blue Super Rugby game
if it was at Mount Smart or if it was
at Eden Park. Eden Park's CEO, Nick Sortner is with us. Nick,
this is interesting news. How concerned are you that the
Blues will move away from Eden Park?
Speaker 3 (00:53):
Well, twenty twenty six marks thirty years of the Blues
at Eden Park and it is their spiritual home. We
are working with the Blues to ensure that they understand
the true path to purchase the street set experience, but
also what we can deliver in terms of the fan experience,
because we know that crowds have been declining in Super
(01:15):
Rugby and we need to find new ways to get
people back to the code.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
How important a tenant are the Blues for you?
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Rugby's critical at Eden Park with a fortress for the
All Blacks thirty years without a loss. It's central to
our membership and Eden Park has a significant membership base
that contributes into the gate for the Blues, but it
also contributes to our corporate suite revenues and our icon partners.
So yeah, can't emphasize enough. We want to see more
(01:44):
rugby played at Eden Park and we want to be
able to like we did two years ago renegotiate our
terms with the Blues to continue That included sponsoring their
women's team for the last four years to ensure that
they are reviable entity and when we saw last season
that to see as sold out final at Eden Park
and the revenue that can be derived from from a
(02:07):
full eaton park. So our focus is getting more people
back to the park, but also then some of those
enhancements and it's something that we've put forward to the
Blues with eight different zones that really complement the GA experience.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
Do you think this is a ploy to see if
they can get a bit of deal out of you.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
Nick, Well, they've certainly gone out to their own members
and surface I suppose surveyed to see whether or not
Mount Smart or indeed North Harbor would be a better
option for them. There's probably no point in going out
to Eton Parks members or indeed Auckland rugbyes because we're
pretty confidently know what their answer would be. But I
think it's also important to get the perspective of whether
(02:47):
it be players past and present, but also partners like
Eten Park Paris. We were fortunate enough to do an
introduction for the Blues to eden Park Paris, who's their
clothing partner, but also partners like the University of Auckland,
and how they might be able to be integrated in
to the Blues sort of suite of partners to day
experience their recovery sessions and then also looking at international content.
(03:12):
We've been able to secure this weekend Scotland v. Sarmoa,
but in future how the Blues might be interested in
working with Eden Park to get some of those internationals
and see additional revenues outside of Super Rugby being generated
for the team.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
You mentioned before about declining attendances across the board. What
do you think are the main things that affect attendance
regardless of where games are played.
Speaker 3 (03:38):
On field experience, I think people are looking for an experience,
so whether it be the timing end of the game,
the entertainment elements, and then everything else that goes with
an event of that caliber. It is a competitive market.
Now we're seeing consistently aucandesc getting twenty thousand to mount
Smart Stadium, and then also the Warriors consistently selling out,
(04:01):
so we are seeing additional competition for the Super Rugby
Dollar and the sports dollar. So we need to ensure
that the product on field is something that people want
to go and experience, and then off field the street
to seat experiences I mentioned one of the things I
think is going to be transformational for the city and
also for the stadium as a CRL. Once it opens
(04:24):
next year, Eden Park will be seven minutes from the
CBD on public transport. Now, there aren't too many stadiums
globally that has that infrastructure. The government needs that to
be used and we're confident with major events that'll be
a real change for our city.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
You mentioned the on field performance. Not much you can
do about that, Nick that's in the hands of the
Blues and their high performance team. But how do you
think Eden Park rates as far as a fan experience
is concerned, well, it.
Speaker 3 (04:52):
Is a challenge in a city of one point seven
million people to get fifty thousand people going to domestic content.
And so it's around what you can do in terms
of the stadium and the configuration to make it fan
focused and friendly when only twenty five thousand people are attending,
and we see that consistently with cricket, with twenty five
thousand fans, you have a great experience. And obviously All
(05:14):
Blacks tests you look at later this year, there's no
question that the South African and Wall of these games
will be sellouts. It's probably the hottest ticket in town,
the All Blacks versus South Africa. We saw with a
fief of Women's World Cup we sold six of nine games,
we sold out and we got such positive feedback arising
out of FIFA that we've been engaged to a variety
(05:36):
of services post the FIFA Women's World Cup. So we
know that our field is world class. We know our
food and beverage offer with the new products we've introduced,
we know that now we need to introduce technology like
AI and seamless transitions in our retail outlets to get
people serve quicker. So there's a whole range of things that
we're doing to improve the experience. Over the last three
(05:58):
years we've invested forty five million dollars of venue upgrades
with new streams, new lighting, new fan experiences, cross a
number of areas with sensory rooms and our comfort zones
for the mobility patron So there's a continual investment needed.
You know that we receive zero funding from council and government.
That differs from the other venues in Auckland by Mount
(06:21):
Smart and Western Springs and North Harbor. But there's no
excuse as to why we shouldn't be able to get
more people back to Super Rugby.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
And you did right Nick. You know, when it's full,
it's absolutely magnificent and we all can't wait for the
sixth of September when Bill Blacks played the spring box.
As you say, twenty five thousand for cricket or rugby whatever,
it is fantastic. What about when only eight or ten
turn up.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
Though, So that's where we're looking with the Blues to say,
and we've seen it with Auckland FC, whether it be
putting a ferris wheel or a slide. There's no reason
why we can't have those experiences at eden Park and
that's what we want to work with them on, is
to create these zones within the venue. I was fortunate
enough to just get back from the US and the
UK and we've seen eden Park win another couple of
(07:03):
awards at the Stadium Business Summit in Manchester. Also seeing
what stadiums are doing globally, whether it be the new
Fulham Stadium that their whole focus is actually on non
event days and the experience outwood facing, or indeed someone
like the New York Yankees where they've created ten or
fifteen zones from standing areas, through the bench seats through
to indeed field clubs. This is where I think that
(07:26):
the stadium industry will lead to, is where it's not
just a standard seat. There might be five or ten
different experiences, including family friendly zones with jumping castles and
food offerings that complement that family zone.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
All Right, to finish, are you confident you'll extend your
partnership with the Blues.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
We want the Blues to be playing at eden Park,
and we obviously acknowledge that if there are areas that
the fans and the Blues members want to see improvements made.
We will do that, but we need to ensure that
it is viable for all parties to continue the relationship.
And the best way that we can make Super Rugby
(08:07):
surviving and thriving is by getting more people back to games.
And that's our focus to work with, whether it be
the Blues, MYA, Pacifica or indeed New Zealand Rugby to
get more people back to Super Rugby.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
All right, okay, appreciate your time this evening and your thoughts.
Nick Sortner, then CEO of Eden Park.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
For more from sports Talk, listen live to News Talk
ZEDB from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast on
iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
The Blues are reportedly considering a move away from Eden Park.
Their contract with the venue ended at the end of
the recently completed twenty twenty five Super Rugby season, and
they've begun surveying their fans to find out whether they
would be in favor of a move to Mount Smart.
They've sent out a survey to their members and one
of the questions asks them whether they would be more
(00:35):
likely to come along to a Blue Super Rugby game
if it was at Mount Smart or if it was
at Eden Park. Eden Park's CEO, Nick Sortner is with us. Nick,
this is interesting news. How concerned are you that the
Blues will move away from Eden Park?
Speaker 3 (00:53):
Well, twenty twenty six marks thirty years of the Blues
at Eden Park and it is their spiritual home. We
are working with the Blues to ensure that they understand
the true path to purchase the street set experience, but
also what we can deliver in terms of the fan experience,
because we know that crowds have been declining in Super
(01:15):
Rugby and we need to find new ways to get
people back to the code.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
How important a tenant are the Blues for you?
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Rugby's critical at Eden Park with a fortress for the
All Blacks thirty years without a loss. It's central to
our membership and Eden Park has a significant membership base
that contributes into the gate for the Blues, but it
also contributes to our corporate suite revenues and our icon partners.
So yeah, can't emphasize enough. We want to see more
(01:44):
rugby played at Eden Park and we want to be
able to like we did two years ago renegotiate our
terms with the Blues to continue That included sponsoring their
women's team for the last four years to ensure that
they are reviable entity and when we saw last season
that to see as sold out final at Eden Park
and the revenue that can be derived from from a
(02:07):
full eaton park. So our focus is getting more people
back to the park, but also then some of those
enhancements and it's something that we've put forward to the
Blues with eight different zones that really complement the GA experience.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
Do you think this is a ploy to see if
they can get a bit of deal out of you.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
Nick, Well, they've certainly gone out to their own members
and surface I suppose surveyed to see whether or not
Mount Smart or indeed North Harbor would be a better
option for them. There's probably no point in going out
to Eton Parks members or indeed Auckland rugbyes because we're
pretty confidently know what their answer would be. But I
think it's also important to get the perspective of whether
(02:47):
it be players past and present, but also partners like
Eten Park Paris. We were fortunate enough to do an
introduction for the Blues to eden Park Paris, who's their
clothing partner, but also partners like the University of Auckland,
and how they might be able to be integrated in
to the Blues sort of suite of partners to day
experience their recovery sessions and then also looking at international content.
(03:12):
We've been able to secure this weekend Scotland v. Sarmoa,
but in future how the Blues might be interested in
working with Eden Park to get some of those internationals
and see additional revenues outside of Super Rugby being generated
for the team.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
You mentioned before about declining attendances across the board. What
do you think are the main things that affect attendance
regardless of where games are played.
Speaker 3 (03:38):
On field experience, I think people are looking for an experience,
so whether it be the timing end of the game,
the entertainment elements, and then everything else that goes with
an event of that caliber. It is a competitive market.
Now we're seeing consistently aucandesc getting twenty thousand to mount
Smart Stadium, and then also the Warriors consistently selling out,
(04:01):
so we are seeing additional competition for the Super Rugby
Dollar and the sports dollar. So we need to ensure
that the product on field is something that people want
to go and experience, and then off field the street
to seat experiences I mentioned one of the things I
think is going to be transformational for the city and
also for the stadium as a CRL. Once it opens
(04:24):
next year, Eden Park will be seven minutes from the
CBD on public transport. Now, there aren't too many stadiums
globally that has that infrastructure. The government needs that to
be used and we're confident with major events that'll be
a real change for our city.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
You mentioned the on field performance. Not much you can
do about that, Nick that's in the hands of the
Blues and their high performance team. But how do you
think Eden Park rates as far as a fan experience
is concerned, well, it.
Speaker 3 (04:52):
Is a challenge in a city of one point seven
million people to get fifty thousand people going to domestic content.
And so it's around what you can do in terms
of the stadium and the configuration to make it fan
focused and friendly when only twenty five thousand people are attending,
and we see that consistently with cricket, with twenty five
thousand fans, you have a great experience. And obviously All
(05:14):
Blacks tests you look at later this year, there's no
question that the South African and Wall of these games
will be sellouts. It's probably the hottest ticket in town,
the All Blacks versus South Africa. We saw with a
fief of Women's World Cup we sold six of nine games,
we sold out and we got such positive feedback arising
out of FIFA that we've been engaged to a variety
(05:36):
of services post the FIFA Women's World Cup. So we
know that our field is world class. We know our
food and beverage offer with the new products we've introduced,
we know that now we need to introduce technology like
AI and seamless transitions in our retail outlets to get
people serve quicker. So there's a whole range of things that
we're doing to improve the experience. Over the last three
(05:58):
years we've invested forty five million dollars of venue upgrades
with new streams, new lighting, new fan experiences, cross a
number of areas with sensory rooms and our comfort zones
for the mobility patron So there's a continual investment needed.
You know that we receive zero funding from council and government.
That differs from the other venues in Auckland by Mount
(06:21):
Smart and Western Springs and North Harbor. But there's no
excuse as to why we shouldn't be able to get
more people back to Super Rugby.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
And you did right Nick. You know, when it's full,
it's absolutely magnificent and we all can't wait for the
sixth of September when Bill Blacks played the spring box.
As you say, twenty five thousand for cricket or rugby whatever,
it is fantastic. What about when only eight or ten
turn up.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
Though, So that's where we're looking with the Blues to say,
and we've seen it with Auckland FC, whether it be
putting a ferris wheel or a slide. There's no reason
why we can't have those experiences at eden Park and
that's what we want to work with them on, is
to create these zones within the venue. I was fortunate
enough to just get back from the US and the
UK and we've seen eden Park win another couple of
(07:03):
awards at the Stadium Business Summit in Manchester. Also seeing
what stadiums are doing globally, whether it be the new
Fulham Stadium that their whole focus is actually on non
event days and the experience outwood facing, or indeed someone
like the New York Yankees where they've created ten or
fifteen zones from standing areas, through the bench seats through
to indeed field clubs. This is where I think that
(07:26):
the stadium industry will lead to, is where it's not
just a standard seat. There might be five or ten
different experiences, including family friendly zones with jumping castles and
food offerings that complement that family zone.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
All Right, to finish, are you confident you'll extend your
partnership with the Blues.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
We want the Blues to be playing at eden Park,
and we obviously acknowledge that if there are areas that
the fans and the Blues members want to see improvements made.
We will do that, but we need to ensure that
it is viable for all parties to continue the relationship.
And the best way that we can make Super Rugby
(08:07):
surviving and thriving is by getting more people back to games.
And that's our focus to work with, whether it be
the Blues, MYA, Pacifica or indeed New Zealand Rugby to
get more people back to Super Rugby.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
All right, okay, appreciate your time this evening and your thoughts.
Nick Sortner, then CEO of Eden Park.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
For more from sports Talk, listen live to News Talk
ZEDB from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast on
iHeartRadio
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