Spark Arena
Spark Arena
4
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4.0
267 reviews
Excellent
122
Very good
88
Average
29
Poor
11
Terrible
17
DayTrip775508
1 contribution
Aug 2022
I went to see Chris Rock at Spark Arena, while the show was good, the organisation of the event and the management was terrible. Queues of people having to stand outside in the the rain for an hour to get in. They didn't accept digitial tickets for this event, so after having queued up in line, they announce that all tickets need to be printed out and if you didn't have a print out ticket then you would need to go to the box office counter to get your ticket printed (ridiculous in the first place in 2022 to have to do this!). Then we line up to get our ticket printed and once we get through the line, because we didn't purchase the ticket directly from ticketmaster but our tickets were ticketmaster tickets, they refused to print the ticket out. We had to leave, find a printer, print out the ticket and come back, all in the rain. The poorest organisation and treatment of people I have seen. Really unimpressed. Constant announcements to the crowd about "No phones allowed", "where to queue" etc. It should not be this complicated! Will be avoiding this venue as much as possible in future if this is how they treat people.
Written 8 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WingerJack
Christchurch, New Zealand502 contributions
Jul 2021
We are first time users and travelled from Christchurch to Auckland to see "The Lion King." The show was great. The venue?
There was no space between my knees (I'm 180) and a barrier. I spent the 2.5 hours crushed between the two people on either side of me, the seating is that narrow. The plastic seating was excruciatingly uncomfortable to sit on after 30 minutes. The show as 2.5 hours. I should have enjoyed the show. Instead I spent 2 hours praying for it to finish so I could escape.
I don't care how much I want to see a show in the future. If it is at Spark Arena, I'll save myself the cost of the tickets, the airfares, the transport, the restaurants and the hotel.
And was I the only one who expressed discomfort? At half time I questioned everyone sitting nearby. They all agreed with my summation.
There was no space between my knees (I'm 180) and a barrier. I spent the 2.5 hours crushed between the two people on either side of me, the seating is that narrow. The plastic seating was excruciatingly uncomfortable to sit on after 30 minutes. The show as 2.5 hours. I should have enjoyed the show. Instead I spent 2 hours praying for it to finish so I could escape.
I don't care how much I want to see a show in the future. If it is at Spark Arena, I'll save myself the cost of the tickets, the airfares, the transport, the restaurants and the hotel.
And was I the only one who expressed discomfort? At half time I questioned everyone sitting nearby. They all agreed with my summation.
Written 8 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Valerie B
3 contributions
Oct 2022 • Friends
Spark Arena needs to get its act together and coordinate with ticketmaster. Standing in the line for Sol3 Mio with a ticket time of 7pm. Nowhere on Sparks website or the ticket is there information that states the doors open at 7pm! So the queue that started at 6pm is very disgruntled!
Written 13 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Megan B
Christchurch, New Zealand2 contributions
Oct 2024 • Friends
Getting into the correct part of the arena is confusing enough but the seating is diabolical! The seats are arranged in a square rather than semi circle and so you have to twist your whole body to try and get a veiw if you're on the side seats, they did have to screens but placed also above the stage and directly in front of two vents so you couldn't seen the comedian's head. The seats were so uncomfortable that people found it difficult to engage in the last quarter and were just concentrating so hard on getting through it that the poor chap didn't get the response he deserved. People were so desperate to get the hell out there that it was quite pushy. I was in a group and we all agreed that we would never go there again.
Written 6 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
C M
Auckland Central, New Zealand849 contributions
Nov 2024 • Friends
The arena is fine for concerts but really not suitable for any sit-down events. The seating is simply too uncomfortable - at the Trevor Noah comedy show we went to, people were keen to leave towards the end as the seating was not suitable for a show like this - no matter how great Trevor Noah was. And that is a shame.
Great show, bad venue - and definitely wouldn't want to watch any other comedy shows here.
Great show, bad venue - and definitely wouldn't want to watch any other comedy shows here.
Written 7 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kittykatus
Mango Hill, Australia101 contributions
Mar 2015 • Family
Terrible seats up in the roof line, couldn't see the stage, so thankful they had tv screens, but then again $150 to watch a tv what were we thinking.....
Way to many people and quite scary getting out after the show, as there is limited exits with none at the very top, and people pushing and shoving to get through narrow exits.
Thank god there wasn't a fire.......
If you hate crowds, being too hot, tight seating and looking at a dot on the stage in the distance, don't book unless you get seats on the bottom teirs.
Also forgot the terrible queues to get a drink in a plastic cup, and the lines for the ladies toilet.
Way to many people and quite scary getting out after the show, as there is limited exits with none at the very top, and people pushing and shoving to get through narrow exits.
Thank god there wasn't a fire.......
If you hate crowds, being too hot, tight seating and looking at a dot on the stage in the distance, don't book unless you get seats on the bottom teirs.
Also forgot the terrible queues to get a drink in a plastic cup, and the lines for the ladies toilet.
Written 10 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deidre1163
Auckland, New Zealand24 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
My husband and I went to the Cher concert, as we were able to obtain cheap tickets through grabone.
Unless you are seated in the front 10rows do not sit here, you get what you pay for!
People in the front rows continued to stand up, this caused a dominos effect where people behind them stood as they couldn't see..and so on.
Only sit here if you dont mind spending most of a concert standing or dancing.
Go for the stands!
Unless you are seated in the front 10rows do not sit here, you get what you pay for!
People in the front rows continued to stand up, this caused a dominos effect where people behind them stood as they couldn't see..and so on.
Only sit here if you dont mind spending most of a concert standing or dancing.
Go for the stands!
Written 29 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shellie M
Hamilton, New Zealand238 contributions
Apr 2017 • Friends
I have been to this arena several times for various concerts. This most recent visit I was seated 3 rows from the very top. I found getting to our centrally located seats in our row was awkward and a little dangerous. The pathway is so narrow with people already seated, and it is very steep. Even when people stand or move sideways so you can get past, it is difficult. Apart from this, the arena is great. View from everywhere is good and sound is awesome.
Written 19 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sammyk_NZ
Auckland Central, New Zealand163 contributions
Dec 2015 • Friends
Been here heaps for concerts and to watch sporting events. Staff are helpful and know where you are heading. security is always there if required. Drinks prices are high but that is to be expected isn't it lol.
Written 20 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bethie2401
Auckland, New Zealand1 contribution
Mar 2018 • Friends
Upper section challenging to get to (feels like climbing scaffolding) and feels absolutely awful if you are even a tiny bit anxious with heights. Steep, narrow steps. Mean, hard, narrow seats. Tiny gap between seat rows to shuffle along and pray you don't lose it & plunge down. At row KK it was borderline - would hate to have to sit any higher. This bad design really takes the edge off a good show. Especially at exorbitant seat prices.
Written 12 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I want to go see Fleetwood Mac, but I can only afford the cheapest seats on the side of the stage where “sight may be impeded”. Can anybody tell me how terrible or not that may be? thanks!
Written 5 September 2019
I'm about to buy tickets to see Hugh Jackman but I'm wondering if the floor seating is better?
Written 2 September 2019
I'm about to buy tickets to Sam Smith but haven't been to Spark Arena before. I'm quite short so I'm wondering what would be the best option of seats for me. I'm currently thinking of anything in the upper section as I might get a better view. Would that be best?
Written 31 October 2018
My wife is very short and she had no issues at any of the events we've attended at the arena.
Written 1 November 2018
Hi there, I really want to go see Pink at spark arena but the available tickets are only restricted view row R. It looks as if they are behind/to the side of the stage. Do I have at least view on a screen or none at all? I’m worried it will ruin the experience so any advice/ experience welcomed.
Thank you, Lena
Written 31 August 2018
Hi there, I really want to go see Pink at spark arena but the available tickets are only restricted view row R. It looks as if they are behind/to the side of the stage. Do I have at least view on a screen or none at all? I’m worried it will ruin the experience so any advice/ experience welcomed.
Thank you, Lena
Written 31 August 2018
Hi there, I really want to go see Pink at spark arena but the available tickets are only restricted view row R. It looks as if they are behind/to the side of the stage. Do I have at least view on a screen or none at all? I’m worried it will ruin the experience so any advice/ experience welcomed.
Thank you, Lena
Written 31 August 2018
Pink usually has great screens for her audience and also comes right out into the audience
Written 4 September 2018
Hi there, I really want to go see Pink at spark arena but the available tickets are only restricted view row R. It looks as if they are behind/to the side of the stage. Do I have at least view on a screen or none at all? I’m worried it will ruin the experience so any advice/ experience welcomed.
Thank you, Lena
Written 31 August 2018
alman692
Ngaruawahia, New Zealand
What is the best place to catch a taxi or uber / zoomy ride after a concert?
Written 11 April 2018
We found that until the arena is well cleared the road immediately in front wasn’t open. So if you don’t mind waiting a little while a taxi will usually come once it’s opened again.Or you could book one in advance. I found a great one after the dynamo concert and used him repeatedly during my stay.he was deluxe transfers and tours. His # is 0220534362 and his name was Ali. Ring him in advance and he can arrange to pick you up when you text him after the concert. That’s how we used him for restaurants too
Written 4 September 2018
Best to check on the seat map on their website. If still not clear, give them a call. Regards, Dave
Written 8 December 2016
Hi I am thinking about taking my 4 year old to see ice age on ice at vecta arena which seating area would you recommend.Ive never been there before we want a good view of whole ice rink so would lower bowl seating be good or upper bowl?Any help appreciated.Thanks
Written 25 April 2016
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