First quarter gives Christchurch world ranking in entertainment - international entertainment media all make mention of Christchurch’s achievements

POLLSTAR

The Westpac Centre for Sport & Entertainment was ranked number 15 in the world for arena venue concert ticket sales by international magazine Pollstar with an outstanding total of 69,838 tickets sold during the first quarter of 2005. Entertainers such as Rod Stewart, Cher, Neil Diamond, Mark Knopfler, R.E.M and Norah Jones pushed ticket sales into the stratosphere. With maximum capacity of 8888 seats it’s the smallest venue of the top 15 and outperformed such stellar venues as Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena (12,500), Brisbane Entertainment Centre (12,000) and the Exhibition Centres in Birmingham (10,000) and Glasgow (10,000). The Sydney Superdrome (18,000) was the only Australasian venue to rank higher than the Westpac Centre. All in all, being the smallest venue in the smallest metropolitan area just adds to the achievement says Executive Director Mike Kelly.

VENUES TODAY

The April Edition of Venues Today ranked the Cher concert on 22 February at the Westpac Centre in 16th place overall for gross ticket sales. The Cher concert grossed $US824,854 and total ticket sales of 6,895 for the month ending 16 March. Artists ranking higher in that period were Elton John (1st) and The Eagles (7th). In the same the Westpac Centre was ranked second overall for gross ticket sales on the 5001 - 10,000 seating category.

Mike Kelly: It would be fair to say that Christchurch owes a debt of gratitude to the concert promoters who have invested in the concert product but we must recognise the exceptional support lent to the touring concert market by a willing and supportive Christchurch public. The strong New Zealand dollar has made all of this possible and we look forward to a successful, albeit quieter, future for touring major concerts. 

BILLBOARD MAGAZINE

Industry giant Billboard Magazine ranked the Westpac Centre's Neil Diamond concert 11th over all in its April Boxscore. The Neil Diamond concerts, presented by Dainty Consolidated Entertainment, sold 17,014 tickets and grossed $NZ1493,635 in 2 sell-out shows.

WESTPAC CENTRE IN TOP 10 AGAIN!

Venues Today has again ranked the Christchurch Westpac Centre in its Top Stops.  This month the Westpac Centre comes in at number 7 in the 5,001 - 10,000 seating category, having sold 8,911 tickets and grossing $US 561,475. This makes it 3 months in a row that the Westpac Centre has made the Top 10 in Venues Today.