Eden Park's CEO says his team is "exploring our options" with Auckland council to try and extend the number of concerts they are allowed to put on during a calendar year.
Currently, the venue can only host six shows annually, meaning multi-night events like Taylor Swift's Eras Tour would not be able to be accommodated given the venue already has signed up for multiple shows with three from Coldplay in November and two from Pink in March.
The push comes as a pair of surveys released separately by Eventfinda Stadium on Auckland's North Shore and Eden Park showed there was overwhelming support for more concerts, amid concerns local venues are disappearing from across the region.
Eden Park found 97 percent of 1500 local residents were in favour of allowing the venue to host six artists playing up to 12 shows in a calendar year. That would be double what the venue is currently allowed by its consenting process with Auckland Council.
Of those surveyed, 93 percent said they would have been happy for Taylor Swift's massive Eras Tour to have played the venue. It was estimated the Melbourne run of concerts alone last week had pumped some AU$140 million into the local economy. In total, Swift will play seven concerts in both Melbourne and Sydney.
When Swift announced her tour dates for Melbourne and Sydney in June 2023, there was anger no Aotearoa dates were scheduled, meaning fans had to decamp across the Tasman to see the shows. Swift last played in New Zealand at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium in 2018 as part of her 'Reputation' tour.
Eden Park CEO Nick Sautner said based on the survey, they would now be "exploring our options with Auckland Council to update our consent and secure more international artists".
"This resounding level of support from our residents highlights a strong desire for Eden Park to host more concerts and not be restricted by consenting processes," Sautner said.
"In 2020, Six60 played at Eden Park, and since then, Eden Park has quickly become New Zealand's premiere concert venue with globally renowned artists Billy Joel, Guns N' Roses and Ed Sheeran all performing to sold-out crowds. And this year Pink and Coldplay will perform five concerts.
"The feedback from our community is critical. Ninety-seven percent of our residents have told us they love Eden Park and it was clear from their responses that they also like the diverse range of events we hold."
Separately, Auckland venue Eventfinda Stadium on the city's North Shore has released research in which it says local residents would welcome more concerts from international acts at the Glenfield venue.
It has been refurbished following damage from the Auckland Anniversary Floods in 2023.
A regional survey of 450 Aucklanders found 70.4 percent wanted to see more live music concerts from local and international artists there.
Over half said they were concerned about the gradual disappearance of live music venues disappearing across the region after venues such as the King's Arms and Logan Campbell Centre.
The Eventfinda Stadium is allowed to hold 25 "special noise events" per calendar year, and in its previous life as the North Shore Events Centre had hosted bands such as Pantera, Tool, Korn and Green Day.
