Dunedin is moving to end a years-long concert drought, with plans to reconfigure Forsyth Barr Stadium into a scalable arena designed to attract mid-sized touring acts currently bypassing the city.

Dunedin Venues Management Ltd (DVML) has unveiled a proposed “Capacity Reduction System”, using retractable curtains to transform the stadium into multiple configurations ranging from 3000 seats to its full 38,000 capacity.

The move targets what DVML says is a structural gap in Dunedin’s events market, where the city lacks a venue suited to mid-sized shows.

DVML CEO Paul Doorn said mid-sized shows were the fastest-growing segment, with DVML’s vision for the Capacity Reduction System solution to secure such events.

The scalable curtain system could allow for mid-tier concerts, e-sports, exhibitions, and other community events. Image / DVML

“Rather than waiting for content to return, we are investing in our ability to attract it,” he said.

The issue has become increasingly visible in recent years.

While the stadium regularly hosts rugby and major sporting fixtures, large-scale concerts have been sporadic.

The last major international stadium concert in Dunedin was Pink in March 2024, which drew a record crowd of more than 37,000 people.

Before that, the venue hosted acts such as Red Hot Chili Peppers and Post Malone in January 2023, and Rod Stewart in April 2023.

Christchurch is also set to open its new covered stadium next month, which will have a 30,000 capacity for sports and 37,500 for concerts.

DVML says the issue is that many touring acts now favour venues in the 8000 to 12,000 range, too large for the Town Hall but too small to viably fill the stadium in its current format.

The proposed 'arena mode' ‘Arena Mode’ would cater to boxing or MMA event, with seating on the grass and in the stands. Image / DVML

Under the proposal, a mid-tier “arena mode” would cater directly to that segment, alongside smaller and larger configurations.

“Forsyth Barr Stadium’s Capacity Reduction System is a game changer for Dunedin’s position on the touring circuit. The ability to scale the venue gives promoters the flexibility to route a much wider range of content through the city, and that’s a real opportunity for TEG and our partners to deliver live experiences to Dunedin fans.”

The project is being advanced alongside a new 10-year ticketing partnership between DVML and Ticketek, part of Ticketek Entertainment Group (TEG), which will become the exclusive ticketing provider for the stadium and the Dunedin Centre through to 2036.

DVML says the partnership will complement the new system, helping match ticketing strategies to different event sizes and improving the overall fan experience.

Plans to reconfigure Forsyth Barr Stadium into a scalable arena designed to attract mid-sized touring acts are underway. Image / DVML

TEG chief operating officer and head of global ticketing Cameron Hoy said the changes would make the venue more attractive to performers.

“The introduction of the curtains into the stadium will increases the ways in which the stadium can be used – artists will welcome the ability to create the right venue for each individual event – all within the one stadium."

Doorn said the ability to scale the stadium would benefit both promoters and audiences.

“Tailoring capacity to event demand gives promoters the confidence they need and ensures fans enjoy a consistently great atmosphere. We’re excited to be partnering with Ticketek at a time when we are taking clear steps to make Dunedin more competitive.”

He said the proposal was also intended to deliver broader benefits to the city.

“Our job is to strengthen the Stadium’s competitiveness and deliver more value for Dunedin. This system will allow us to unlock new event categories and bring more visitors, more spending, and more live experiences to the city. It’s a focused investment with broad community benefit,” he said.

Detailed design work is expected to be completed in the coming months, with the new configurations targeted to be ready by summer 2026/27.

Ben Tomsett is a multimedia journalist based in Dunedin. He joined the Herald in 2023.