hesi Posted April 15 Posted April 15 Was listening to that on talkback yesterday, as was on the road a lot. A lot of very unhappy people. Apparently only a 7m strip between the advertising hoardings and the edge of the field, which is deemed insufficient. The new stadium will also cannibilise the stadium in Dunedin, to the extent it will struggle get anything but sports events. The big music events will not go to Dunedin, if the demand is there, far easier and cost efficient to do a second show in Chch Quote
Chief Stipe Posted April 15 Author Posted April 15 10 minutes ago, hesi said: Was listening to that on talkback yesterday, as was on the road a lot. A lot of very unhappy people. Apparently only a 7m strip between the advertising hoardings and the edge of the field, which is deemed insufficient. I was there at Lancaster Park when they first introduced the horses! You can run a race meeting on a 7m strip! Quote
hesi Posted April 15 Posted April 15 I'm sure health and safety had an influence in the decision Quote
Chief Stipe Posted April 15 Author Posted April 15 12 minutes ago, hesi said: I'm sure health and safety had an influence in the decision There's never been a problem before. Quote
Bloke Posted April 15 Posted April 15 Well, they need to bring in sheep. I am sure that Larry The Lamb would be very grateful. After all the new stadium will be known as "The Sheep Pen" 1 Quote
Murray Fish Posted April 15 Posted April 15 3 hours ago, hesi said: The new stadium will also cannibilise the stadium in Dunedin, to the extent it will struggle get anything but sports events. The big music events will not go to Dunedin The CEO has just jumped ship! after begging for more $$$... Quote
curious Posted April 15 Posted April 15 7 minutes ago, Murray Fish said: The CEO has just jumped ship! after begging for more $$$... which CEO? Quote
hesi Posted April 15 Posted April 15 30 minutes ago, Murray Fish said: The CEO has just jumped ship! after begging for more $$$... Was that the reason? Quote
Murray Fish Posted April 15 Posted April 15 20 minutes ago, curious said: which CEO? https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dunedin-venues-ceo-stand-down the job is becoming a bit of a poisoned chalice... according to some Musical friends, unless you have a massively expensive sounds system then the sound is all over the place and many bands don't want to play there! 1 Quote
Newmarket Posted April 15 Posted April 15 8 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: I was there at Lancaster Park when they first introduced the horses! You can run a race meeting on a 7m strip! Hardly any car parking on site. A few for handicapped parking, but few others. Quote
curious Posted April 24 Posted April 24 Tidy replacement though. Seemed to work in a sold out new stadium. The Crusaders perform Takina Te Kawa at the brand new One New Zealand stadium.#SuperRugbyPacific rugby.com.au_2026 04 24_21 28 57_1_428.mp4 The Crusaders perform Takina Te Kawa at the brand new One New Zealand stadium.#SuperRugbyPacific rugby.com.au_2026 04 24_21 28 57_1_428.mp4 The Crusaders perform Takina Te Kawa at the brand new One New Zealand stadium.#SuperRugbyPacific rugby.com.au_2026 04 24_21 28 57_1_428.mp4 Quote
curious Posted April 24 Posted April 24 Perhaps NZTR and NZ clubs could take a lesson no how to engage people? Quote
Shab Posted April 24 Posted April 24 1 hour ago, curious said: Perhaps NZTR and NZ clubs could take a lesson no how to engage people? What? Jockeys do haka before a race? 1 Quote
curious Posted April 24 Posted April 24 (edited) 42 minutes ago, Shab said: What? Jockeys do haka before a race? Maybe. Anzac day say? Or maybe the club committee could do it? Edited April 24 by curious 1 Quote
Murray Fish Posted April 24 Posted April 24 9 hours ago, curious said: Perhaps NZTR and NZ clubs could take a lesson no how to engage people? lol well they want be following rugby! aren't the bums on seats way down Quote
hesi Posted April 24 Posted April 24 Of course they are going to fill Te Kaha, it was the grand opening. I would wait and see what future attendance is like. The covered roof will appeal to many. I wouldn't be holding up rugby as a shining light of how to engage people. Have you seen the poor crowds at Eden Park these days Quote
Murray Fish Posted April 24 Posted April 24 Horse racing and rugby occupy different roles in New Zealand's sporting landscape. While rugby is the national sport in terms of participation and media profile, the racing industry may be a significantly larger economic force. Here is a direct comparison drawing from the latest available data. ### 📈 Comparison at a Glance: Rugby vs. Horse Racing | Metric | 🏉 Rugby Union (2024 figures unless noted) | 🐎 Horse Racing (2022/23 figures unless noted) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Economic Contribution** | **$285 million** in record income for NZ Rugby, **but with a $19.5 million loss** (2024) | **~$1.9 billion** total economic contribution (2022/23) | | **Participation** | **155,568** total players | **~40,600** employees/participants/volunteers | | **Annual Attendance** | *Data not aggregated; specific competitions draw tens of thousands.* | **~639,100** recorded attendances at race meetings (2022/23) | | **Broadcast Viewership** | **1.83 million** for Super Rugby; **1.46 million** for NPC finals (2025) | *Availability of standardised TV ratings data is limited.* | | **Key Current Trend** | Financial volatility with strong broadcast numbers | Strong wagering turnover but modest on-course crowds | --- ### 📊 A Deeper Dive into the Numbers #### 🏉 Rugby: The People's Game Rugby is a clear participation leader, with a registered player base of **155,568** in 2024. Its influence is evident in broadcast figures; for example, the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season drew **1.83 million** viewers in New Zealand. Financially, the picture is more complex. Although NZ Rugby reported a record income of **$285 million** in 2024, it also posted a **$19.5 million loss** due to high player wages and other fixed costs. This reflects a model that generates substantial revenue but operates with very tight margins. #### 🐎 Horse Racing: The Economic Engine Horse racing's footprint is different, with a much smaller list of registered participants at around **40,600**. It is, however, a major economic force. The industry's total economic contribution was valued at an impressive **$1.9 billion** for the 2022/23 period. As a spectator sport, horse racing is unique. While flagship events like **NZ Cup Day** sell out their 15,000 capacity and the **Karaka Millions** attracts over 12,000 attendees, many regular meetings draw crowds of **under 1,000**. The sport's core strength is in wagering, with the industry reporting strong "turnover" figures. ### 💎 Summary In essence, the data suggests a clear distinction between the two sports: * **Rugby** is the national **participation sport**, with high public engagement and a prominent media profile, but it operates under considerable financial strain. * **Horse racing** is a concentrated **economic powerhouse**, but its appeal is more niche, particularly as a live spectator sport. I hope this breakdown is useful. If you'd like to dig deeper into the financial strategies of NZ Rugby or the wagering trends in horse racing, feel free to ask for those details. Quote
curious Posted April 24 Posted April 24 2 hours ago, Murray Fish said: lol well they want be following rugby! aren't the bums on seats way down Wasn't the new One New Zealand Stadium (Te Kaha) sold out last night? 25,000. And that's with the Crusaders going a bit average. Quote
Chief Stipe Posted April 24 Author Posted April 24 On 15/04/2026 at 8:41 PM, Newmarket said: Hardly any car parking on site. A few for handicapped parking, but few others. Any true Cantabrian would remember that there was stuff all car parks near Lancaster Park. Most people got to their favourite inner city bar and walked in their colours to the stadium. If you look around the new stadium there are heaps of carparks within walking distance and I have to say the public transport system is better than any other city in NZ. Quote
Chief Stipe Posted April 24 Author Posted April 24 2 minutes ago, curious said: Wasn't the new One New Zealand Stadium (Te Kaha) sold out last night? 25,000. And that's with the Crusaders going a bit average. Doesn't matter if they are going "average" Crusaders fans are as loyal as Warriors fans. Quote
Shad Posted April 24 Posted April 24 Watched the game on poor man’s tv, sky open, skipped the first hour n half, before kick off, as the tossed on, maybe I’m not as patient these days, first full game I’ve watched so far, physical game, kept ya watching. Stadium looked very flash. 1 Quote
Chief Stipe Posted April 24 Author Posted April 24 1 hour ago, hesi said: I wouldn't be holding up rugby as a shining light of how to engage people. Have you seen the poor crowds at Eden Park these days Eden Park Blues price themselves out of the market. By comparison the Warriors price their seats for families and start at 60% and sometimes 50% of the Blues. That said the Blues average 16,000 a game. A bit like Ellerslie - it looks empty but gets a decent crowd. The Crusaders averaged 13,000 last year in a sub-standard stadium (capacity 15,000) - they could have doubled that for the final. Overall Super Rugby crowds were up 6% last year. Quote
Chief Stipe Posted April 24 Author Posted April 24 8 minutes ago, Shad said: Watched the game on poor man’s tv, sky open, skipped the first hour n half, before kick off, as the tossed on, maybe I’m not as patient these days, first full game I’ve watched so far, physical game, kept ya watching. Stadium looked very flash. The Super Rugby has been very good this year. They also have seemed to toned down the off field referee interference which helps the watch. Quote
curious Posted April 24 Posted April 24 More fun than going to the races today even though I'm a member and have a horse racing. A full house of 25,237 fans roared the hosts home on Friday night in the first of five Super Rugby Pacific games across three days at the indoor venue. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.