Concerts in Auckland: What to Expect at Spark Arena
Guest post by Bree Daigneault, blogger at Breeze Around the World
I’ve had the pleasure of attending two separate concerts in Auckland, New Zealand. Both were at Spark Arena, so I’m bringing you the lowdown on everything you need to know about the venue. Seeing your favourite artist live is so magical!
Spark Arena is the largest indoor venue in Aotearoa, and it’s right in downtown Auckland, just a 10-minute walk from the popular Queen Street. It’s the venue where international tours and sporting events tend to happen, including big names like Beyoncé, Michael Bublé, and Lorde. Upcoming shows at Spark Arena include Cirque du Soleil, Lenny Kravitz, Doja Cat, Lewis Capaldi, The Lumineers, OneRepublic, Lainey Wilson, and more.
Thanks to its central location, there are a ton of options for where to stay and eat in the area! This guide covers accommodation and food recommendations, getting to the arena, tickets and food and beverages inside.
Tyler Childers live from the floor (GA) area in Spark Arena in Auckland!
Choosing Your Tickets at Spark Arena
Spark Arena is a medium-sized indoor venue with classic U-shaped bleachers and a huge floor section for general admission. The maximum capacity is 12,000 people, with upper, lower and floor seating options. But if you’re seeing a lesser-known artist, they may move the stage up and create a cozier atmosphere by shrinking the size of the floor.
We had floor “seats” both times, and had a really easy time getting in and out of the General Admissions area. I don’t think you can go wrong when picking a seat here, whether it be G.A. or up in the stands.
Where to Stay for Concerts at Spark Arena
I’ve seen 2 shows at Spark Arena and I stayed at walkable hotels both times. This most recent concert (Billy Strings) we went for a budget option by staying at the Lylo Hostel.
Lylo was about a 25-minute walk from the venue but we truly didn’t mind. Lylo felt like a crossover between a hotel and a hostel. It was clean, well lit and we had a key card to get in and out. We opted for a private room which (during the winter) was just $65 USD, but they also offer dorm-style rooms. There’s a bar and restaurant attached that guests get a discount at, and all in all this was a great stay!
The first concert we went to during the height of summer was Tyler Childers. We stayed a bit closer, just a 15-minute walk, at the Holiday Inn Express.
Being an actual hotel right downtown, this was a bit pricier, but truly a lovely stay. If you have a car, they have discounted parking in the attached parking garage. Not to mention they have an amazing complimentary breakfast!
Besides these, you’ll find plenty of choices for hotels in the downtown area, many of which are walkable:
Where to Eat & Drink Before a Show at Spark Arena
Dinner Near Sparks Arena
I’ve got two dinner spot recommendations that are both fantastic and off the main street, so they tend to be a little quieter. The first is Koiya Japanese on High Street. It’s close to the venue and has amazing Japanese food at a good cost. My other recommendation is Addis Ethiopian on Elliot Street. A huge plate of delicious food was about $14 USD and it’s just 10-minutes from Spark.
Drinks Near Sparks Arena
If you fancy a pre-concert drink at a more traditional bar setting, just walk down Vulcan Lane off Queen Street. There are a ton of bar and restaurant options in the little alleyway. My favourite is The Occidental. Another popular pre-concert spot, especially in the summer, is The Brit, which is on Quay Street just down the road from Spark.
Overall, everything in downtown Auckland is pretty walkable to Spark Arena, and the area is very safe!
Restaurants & Bars Near Spark Arena
Here are a few spots within 15-minutes walk to Spark Arena with 4 stars or more:
Getting to Spark Arena
If you’re up for it, I truly recommend walking. Not only is Auckland safe and super easy to navigate, it’s fun to be with the streams of people that are surely walking to the same show you are.
If you’re coming from somewhere a bit further, there are Lime Scooters and Uber available throughout the city. There is also a great bus system in the city that allows you to pay by tapping your credit card. There’s a bus stop and train station just across from Spark Arena at Waitematā Station.
Billy Strings live from the General Admission (floor) at Spark Arena!
Security at Spark Arena
Once you’re at the main ticket gate, which is on the side of the arena facing downtown, you should have a pretty easy time! If you’ve got tickets on Ticketmaster, make sure to claim them online before the show. Once you have the digital ticket, you won’t have to go to the “claim tickets” booth and can hop right in line. They’ll check your bag (make sure to only have a small fanny pack-sized bag) and give you a scan with the metal detector, and then you’re in!
Entrance to Spark Arena is generally pretty easy and organized!
Food & Drinks at Spark Arena
There are no food stalls within Spark Arena itself, just a few hot and cold snacks sold at the one concession stand. They’ve got basic fast foods like fries, hot dogs and even dumplings! Your best bet is to grab a bite to eat outside the venue in downtown Auckland.
TIP: Note that the venue is totally cashless.
You can buy alcohol within the arena, such as beer, wine and pre-mixed canned cocktails. Note that if you arrive intoxicated, they can refuse to let you in the arena. You can buy bottled water; however, they also provide free water stations throughout the venue, which we love to see!
Enjoy the show!
Experiencing a concert in New Zealand is a blast, so I hope you make the most of your show! If you’re an overseas visitor, get ready to party with the Kiwis while you all jam out to your favourite music!
P.S. While you’re in New Zealand, you should definitely consider taking a North Island roadtrip! I promise you won’t regret it, and I’ve already crafted the ideal 7-Day North Island Road Trip Itinerary for you.
If you have any questions about concerts at Spark, or anything about moving to or living in New Zealand, don’t hesitate to reach out! I would love to hear from you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bree Daigneault is an American outdoor adventure travel blogger who is currently living in New Zealand and backpacking as much as possible! Check out her free adventure guides for nature-filled destinations in NZ, the South Pacific and Central America on her blog:
Breeze Around the World.
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