Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Well done to Spark Arena

Author: Heather du Plessis-Allan ,
Publish Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2026, 4:03pm

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Spark Arena. Herald photograph by Anna Heath

So an email landed in my inbox - Spark Arena named among the world’s top 20 arenas.

Now, this is a big deal. This isn’t a list that’s put together by some random Instagram account in Norway with 100 followers. This is a list put together by IQ Magazine. And if you’re into music in a big way - like, really into it, more than a Rolling Stone kind of way - you’ll know IQ Magazine is a big deal.

So for Spark Arena to be named in the top 20 arenas in the world is a big deal.

Since moving back to Auckland three years ago, I’ve been to Spark Arena more times than I can remember. I’ve seen everything there. I’ve seen The Wiggles, Suzy Cato, big noisy rock like The War on Drugs, Mumford & Sons, Lenny Kravitz - he was the best, wasn’t he? I’ve seen big stars like Lizzo and Lorde and shows like Hamilton. I’ve been there in previous years, obviously, for things like Oprah Winfrey and Celine Dion.

And every single time - honestly, without fail - I’ve had a great experience.

Now, we can have a debate about the acoustics because, frankly, yeah, they do suck sometimes. I mean, you know, it’s not the best. If you’ve experienced the best acoustics, you’ll know this place is far from it. But otherwise, it’s a great experience.

It never feels empty in there, even with smaller crowds, because it’s versatile enough to adjust for them. It’s in the central city so it’s easy to get to and from the great bars and restaurants around it. It’s easy to walk out and grab an Uber, easy to find a car park nearby, easy to get to the train station or catch a bus.

Staff are always helpful in getting you to your seat or pointing you in the right direction. The drinks are served fast.

It’s really easy to get in.

I think we’ve become so consumed in Auckland in recent years with the debate that flares up every now and again about how we don’t have a decent new stadium, that we forget what we actually do have - which is a really good arena right in the centre of town that does its job brilliantly.

Well done them.

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