In February, Eden Park will host one of the world’s most respected live performances, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. But bringing it to Auckland is about more than securing a globally renowned event. It demonstrates how stadiums, when strategically led, can deliver social, cultural and economic benefits and actively contribute to a city’s international profile.
With a heritage spanning more than seven decades, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is steeped in tradition, precision, and storytelling. For Eden Park, securing the Tattoo reflects years of relationship-building, operational excellence, and a clear strategy to increase the utilisation of New Zealand’s national stadium. While sport will always be central to Eden Park’s identity, our role today is wider than that. It is about creating a venue capable of hosting world-class experiences across sport, culture, and entertainment, and doing so in a way that reflects the expectations of a global events market.
Exporting the Tattoo outside its home at Edinburgh Castle is made selectively with host venues required to meet exacting standards across presentation, logistics, and audience experience. The decision to hold this prestigious event at Eden Park reflects confidence in our ability to deliver complex events at scale, while respecting the heritage and integrity that sit at the heart of the Tattoo.
From a stadium operations perspective, hosting the Tattoo requires a different approach from traditional sporting fixtures or concerts. It is a highly choreographed production with strict technical, acoustic, and ceremonial requirements. Delivering it successfully requires collaboration, adaptability, and a shared commitment to excellence across every part of the event, from the performers on the field to the experience in the stands.
Over the past 10 years, Eden Park has continued to evolve while remaining anchored in its history. As New Zealand’s national stadium, it carries cultural significance that extends well beyond event days while continuing to adapt to remain globally relevant and competitive. The Tattoo aligns naturally with this balance. Like Eden Park, it is an institution built on tradition, discipline, and pride, while continually finding ways to connect with new audiences.
For Auckland, the value of hosting an event of this calibre extends well beyond the stadium gates. Major international cultural events support tourism, hospitality, and employment, but their impact is also measured in less tangible ways. They shape how a city is perceived globally and how residents feel about where they live. Events such as the Tattoo reinforce Auckland’s reputation as a city capable of delivering distinctive, high-quality live experiences and contribute to a sense of civic pride that lasts long after the final performance.
The Tattoo also strengthens the diversity of Auckland’s major events calendar. As cities compete internationally for talent, investment, and visitors, a balanced mix of sport, arts, culture, and ceremonial events is increasingly important. Bringing the Tattoo to Eden Park introduces a new dimension to the city’s offering and appeals to a broad audience, including families, international visitors, and culturally engaged communities.
From an operational standpoint, delivering an event of this scale is also a reflection of the capability of local teams and partners. Stadium operations, event delivery, security, broadcast, performer welfare, and community engagement must all align to international best practice. Successfully hosting the Tattoo reinforces confidence among global rights holders that Auckland and Eden Park are trusted hosts for the world’s most prestigious events.
Just as importantly, events like the Tattoo help shift perceptions of what stadiums can be. Modern stadiums are no longer defined solely by sport. They are civic assets that can host a diverse range of cultural, ceremonial, and community experiences at the highest level. The Tattoo demonstrates how a stadium can honour tradition while embracing innovation, creating moments that are both meaningful and memorable.
Securing the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo was not simply a commercial decision. It was a strategic investment in Auckland’s cultural infrastructure and international standing. It reflects what can be achieved when venue operators, partners, and global event owners work together with a shared vision.
As stadium operators, our responsibility is about more than delivering events efficiently. It is about stewardship of place, reputation, and opportunity. Bringing the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo to Eden Park is part of that responsibility, and one we believe will leave a lasting legacy for audiences, performers, and the city itself.
