New venue to host matches as early as January 2027

Colin Maiden Park will become the perfect place to train, play and watch cricket when it is transformed into the new home of Auckland Cricket at the beginning of 2027.

Featuring an expanded and re-oriented pitch block, new outfield, spectator-friendly embankments, a custom-refitted pavilion including a long room and modern changing facilities, broadcast infrastructure and an all-weather grass training facility, Colin Maiden Park is being transformed into a modern, high-performance cricketing hub.

“We are incredibly excited to confirm that work will be getting underway very shortly to create a fantastic community asset and home for Auckland Cricket for generations to come,” Auckland Cricket Association chair Brendon Gibson said.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to the process to get us to this point. It has taken a heck of a lot of hard work and determination. The result of that is that Auckland will have a great facility to play, practice and watch top level cricket.”

Confirmation of the Colin Maiden Park development comes following the signing of a Foundation Agreement by Auckland Council, the Crown, Eden Park, Auckland Cricket and Auckland Rugby Union that outlines a pathway for modern, permanent, fit-for-purpose facilities for cricket and rugby in Auckland.

The agreement includes $5 million of matched funding from Auckland Council and the Crown ($10 million in total) committed to the development of Colin Maiden Park as the new home for domestic cricket in Auckland.

The Foundation Agreement also sets out how the parties will work together to negotiate Auckland Cricket’s full exit from Eden Park – its traditional home for over a century.

Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson, who led negotiations with the parties, says the agreement represents a major step forward for the future of cricket in Tāmaki Makaurau.

“Aucklanders love their cricket - whether they’re playing on a Saturday morning, watching domestic matches or supporting the next generation coming through. This development will give them a home that reflects that passion and supports the sport for decades to come.

“I’d like to than all parties for the respectful way they worked through the many challenges we faced. It took time and real commitment, but we got there, and today’s official signing reflects the dedication everyone has shown to cricket and to Auckland.”

Ōrākei Local Board Chair Sarah Powrie said the development would be beneficial for both high-performance and community sport.

“The development of Colin Maiden Park as a home for domestic cricket is an exciting opportunity for the Ōrākei Local Board area, delivering high-performance facilities while securing funding to upgrade local sports grounds for the benefit of clubs and communities,” Powrie said.

An all-weather grass training facility to be funded by New Zealand Cricket – the first of its type in Auckland – will reinforce Colin Maiden Park’s status as a high-performance cricketing hub.

“The upgrades to Colin Maiden Park are a huge positive for the sport,” interim NZC Chief Executive Graham Parks said.

“In particular, all-weather facilities are increasingly important in building resiliency for a sport that is vulnerable to the impacts of weather. Our top cricketers being able to practice on grass regardless of the weather in Auckland is a development that is long overdue – and something NZC is very happy to facilitate.”

The work to upgrade Colin Maiden Park will be undertaken in phases, with ground works including the pitch block, outfield and embankments to begin shortly, followed by renovation work on the pavilion.

The goal is for the venue to be ready to host ACES and HEARTS matches in January 2027.

A further stage of the development will see the construction of a new pavilion and indoor training facility to replace the facilities currently occupied by Auckland University Cricket Club.

Existing buildings on the site will be refitted to serve as offices for Auckland Cricket administration and high-performance staff.

“Bringing all of these elements together creates a true home for Auckland Cricket,” Gibson said.

“There’s a lot of work to do and the timeframe is very tight however we are optimistic Colin Maiden Park will be ready to welcome cricket fans by January 2027.”

Auckland Cricket’s GM of Performance and Talent Daniel Archer said the creation of facility that brought together the elements required for a high-performance programme at one venue was an exciting development for the city’s representative players.

“Having a facility that has everything our players need to succeed on and off the field in one place is a game-changer for Auckland Cricket,” Archer said.

“The feedback from our ACES and HEARTS players has been extremely positive. They’re looking forward to moving into their new home and starting an exciting new era for Auckland Cricket.”

For more information please contact:

Steve Deane

operations@AucklandCricket.co.nz

Ph: 021 975 150

Article added: Tuesday 14 April 2026