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Auckland’s Manuka Doctor Arena is set to get a new roof, with the Government announcing a $5 million investment to help future-proof the historic tennis venue.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said the funding, part of a new $70 million Major Events and Tourism Package, would secure the future of Centre Court and expand the types of events that could be held there.
“Stanley St is an iconic venue and has played host to at least a million spectators over the years, with hundreds of matches from high-profile tennis stars including Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Serena Williams,” she said in a statement today, October 3.
The upgrade will increase seating capacity and protect the ASB Classic, held each January in the lead-up to the Australian Open, from weather disruptions.
A spokeperson for Upston told the Franklin Times that Tennis Auckland “is very open” to holding concerts at the venue.
The Government’s $5 million investment will support Tennis Auckland in co-funding its Centre Court Roof project estimated to cost $15 million and planned for completion in 2027.
Upston said the announcement was the first in a wider package designed to boost events and tourism across New Zealand.
“If we want to continue to attract world-class events to New Zealand, we need to have world-class facilities to go along with them,” she said.
