Global concert behemoth Live Nation buys Electric Avenue festival producer Team Event
First held in 2015, Electric Avenue celebrated its 10th anniversary in February, drawing about 75,000 attendees. Headlined by drum and bass legends Chase and Status and electronic dance band The Prodigy, 2025's festival was the first year it was held over two days.
Electric Avenue drew 22,848 visitors to Christchurch, with people staying an average of 2.75 nights. ChristchurchNZ head of major events Karena Finnie said this year's festival resulted in the biggest visitor spend this decade.
'The past 15 years of building this business has been a journey of blood, sweat and tears but a journey we're incredibly proud of, and this acquisition is a recognition of that,' said Mitchell.
Electric Avenue joins Live Nation's portfolio of festivals in New Zealand, including Rhythm & Vines and the regional Greenstone Summer Concert Tour. Based in Christchurch, entertainment and events company Team Event has operated locally for 15 years. As well as Electric Avenue, it is responsible for the South Island Wine and Food Festival, The Great Kiwi Beer Festival, Nostalgia Festival and the Live in the Park concert series.
In 2009, Live Nation and ticketing company Ticketmaster reached an agreement to merge. In 2024, Live Nation's annual shareholders report stated the company has equity interests in 394 venues globally and believes itself to be 'the largest producer of live music concerts in the world'.
The company says it connected '151 million fans to approximately 11,000 artists at 54,000 events in 2024″.
The company has faced criticism over its role in the consolidation of the live events industry. In May 2024, the US Department of Justice announced an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation Entertainment, accusing the company of illegally monopolising the live event market.
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NZ Herald
5 days ago
- NZ Herald
Global concert behemoth Live Nation buys Electric Avenue festival producer Team Event
'We are excited to partner with Callam and Team Event to take Electric Avenue and its festival brands to the next level, giving fans get even greater access to local and international talent while supporting the future growth and success of this iconic New Zealand festival.' First held in 2015, Electric Avenue celebrated its 10th anniversary in February, drawing about 75,000 attendees. Headlined by drum and bass legends Chase and Status and electronic dance band The Prodigy, 2025's festival was the first year it was held over two days. Electric Avenue drew 22,848 visitors to Christchurch, with people staying an average of 2.75 nights. ChristchurchNZ head of major events Karena Finnie said this year's festival resulted in the biggest visitor spend this decade. 'The past 15 years of building this business has been a journey of blood, sweat and tears but a journey we're incredibly proud of, and this acquisition is a recognition of that,' said Mitchell. Electric Avenue joins Live Nation's portfolio of festivals in New Zealand, including Rhythm & Vines and the regional Greenstone Summer Concert Tour. Based in Christchurch, entertainment and events company Team Event has operated locally for 15 years. As well as Electric Avenue, it is responsible for the South Island Wine and Food Festival, The Great Kiwi Beer Festival, Nostalgia Festival and the Live in the Park concert series. In 2009, Live Nation and ticketing company Ticketmaster reached an agreement to merge. In 2024, Live Nation's annual shareholders report stated the company has equity interests in 394 venues globally and believes itself to be 'the largest producer of live music concerts in the world'. The company says it connected '151 million fans to approximately 11,000 artists at 54,000 events in 2024″. The company has faced criticism over its role in the consolidation of the live events industry. In May 2024, the US Department of Justice announced an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation Entertainment, accusing the company of illegally monopolising the live event market.
Scoop
17-07-2025
- Scoop
Christchurch Has Plenty Of Beds For Visitors Drawn By Large Events
This is welcome news to the city, which is becoming more attractive to visitors and, with the forthcoming opening of One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha, to large event promoters. July 17, 2025: New research has confirmed there is enough commercial accommodation capacity in Christchurch city and the adjacent Waimakariri and Selwyn districts to host around 39,200 people per night. This is welcome news to the city, which is becoming more attractive to visitors and, with the forthcoming opening of One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha, to large event promoters. Electric Avenue 2025 generated 62,902 visitor nights with an average stay of 2.97 nights, and Supercars Championship which is confirmed for April 17-19, 2026, is projected to generate about 38,000 visitor nights across those three days. The research by Fresh Info was commissioned by ChristchurchNZ to help its understanding of the accommodation market in the city and its surrounds ahead of a bumper year of major events in 2026. ChristchurchNZ also bids or supports major events in the city, such as SailGP, Electric Avenue and Supercars Championship. Where are all these beds? Accommodation across Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri includes capacity for 6928 people in hotels, 4984 in motels, 1945 in backpackers, 8912 in holiday parks and hosted Bed and Breakfasts, and 16,435 in peer-to-peer accommodation such as AirBnB and holiday homes. Capacity in peer-to-peer accommodation is spread across 3863 unique listings in the region containing 9,839 beds. Christchurch city can accommodate around 32,000 people per night in commercial accommodation and the adjacent Waimakariri and Selwyn districts can accommodate around 7,200. How do large events impact hotel prices? The research also showed large events do impact hotel rates, although the average increases are well below the occasional highly priced hotel listing that makes headlines. Electric Avenue 2024 increased average hotel prices by $20-36 per night relative to one week before and after the event (excluding GST). SailGP 2024 increased average hotel prices by $48-69 per night by the same criteria and Electric Avenue 2025 increased average hotel prices by $69-71 per night. What about staying with friends or family? The research also indicated that Greater Christchurch residents are supporting friends and relatives who come to the region for a major event. For most events, about 60% stay in commercial accommodation with another 40% staying with a friend or relative in town. ChristchurchNZ General Manager of Destination and Attraction Loren Aberhart says the research findings should give both event attendees and promoters confidence in the city's ability to continue holding large events. 'With the opening of One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha, Ōtautahi Christchurch has the perfect opportunity to become the events capital of the country. This data shows our city has the capacity to welcome these large events in a balanced way, where we can enjoy both the excitement and economic benefits of events. It shows perceptions of accommodation price gouging are largely one-off, but also that our resident population are doing their share, hosting friends and family and showing them a good time while in the city.' What does this mean for Christchurch? The research showed a clear lift in accommodation pricing, demand, and occupancy across the year reviewed, demonstrating the positive impact events have on the accommodation sector. Fresh Info Managing Director Shane Vuletich says, 'This research is the first of its kind in New Zealand, and will support Christchurch in assessing periods of peak demand and accommodation surge in order to tailor timing for hosting major events. It should also give Christchurch and event promoters confidence that the city can cope with large volumes of visitors, and to future hotel investors that the Christchurch market will continue to perform well once One New Zealand Stadium opens.' ABOUT CHRISTCHURCHNZ | ChristchurchNZ is the city's sustainable economic development and city profile agency. Our purpose is to stimulate sustainable economic growth for a more prosperous Christchurch.
Scoop
17-07-2025
- Scoop
Christchurch Has Plenty Of Beds For Visitors Drawn By Large Events
July 17, 2025: New research has confirmed there is enough commercial accommodation capacity in Christchurch city and the adjacent Waimakariri and Selwyn districts to host around 39,200 people per night. This is welcome news to the city, which is becoming more attractive to visitors and, with the forthcoming opening of One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha, to large event promoters. Electric Avenue 2025 generated 62,902 visitor nights with an average stay of 2.97 nights, and Supercars Championship which is confirmed for April 17-19, 2026, is projected to generate about 38,000 visitor nights across those three days. The research by Fresh Info was commissioned by ChristchurchNZ to help its understanding of the accommodation market in the city and its surrounds ahead of a bumper year of major events in 2026. ChristchurchNZ also bids or supports major events in the city, such as SailGP, Electric Avenue and Supercars Championship. Where are all these beds? Accommodation across Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri includes capacity for 6928 people in hotels, 4984 in motels, 1945 in backpackers, 8912 in holiday parks and hosted Bed and Breakfasts, and 16,435 in peer-to-peer accommodation such as AirBnB and holiday homes. Capacity in peer-to-peer accommodation is spread across 3863 unique listings in the region containing 9,839 beds. Christchurch city can accommodate around 32,000 people per night in commercial accommodation and the adjacent Waimakariri and Selwyn districts can accommodate around 7,200. How do large events impact hotel prices? The research also showed large events do impact hotel rates, although the average increases are well below the occasional highly priced hotel listing that makes headlines. Electric Avenue 2024 increased average hotel prices by $20-36 per night relative to one week before and after the event (excluding GST). SailGP 2024 increased average hotel prices by $48-69 per night by the same criteria and Electric Avenue 2025 increased average hotel prices by $69-71 per night. What about staying with friends or family? The research also indicated that Greater Christchurch residents are supporting friends and relatives who come to the region for a major event. For most events, about 60% stay in commercial accommodation with another 40% staying with a friend or relative in town. ChristchurchNZ General Manager of Destination and Attraction Loren Aberhart says the research findings should give both event attendees and promoters confidence in the city's ability to continue holding large events. 'With the opening of One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha, Ōtautahi Christchurch has the perfect opportunity to become the events capital of the country. This data shows our city has the capacity to welcome these large events in a balanced way, where we can enjoy both the excitement and economic benefits of events. It shows perceptions of accommodation price gouging are largely one-off, but also that our resident population are doing their share, hosting friends and family and showing them a good time while in the city.' What does this mean for Christchurch? The research showed a clear lift in accommodation pricing, demand, and occupancy across the year reviewed, demonstrating the positive impact events have on the accommodation sector. Fresh Info Managing Director Shane Vuletich says, 'This research is the first of its kind in New Zealand, and will support Christchurch in assessing periods of peak demand and accommodation surge in order to tailor timing for hosting major events. It should also give Christchurch and event promoters confidence that the city can cope with large volumes of visitors, and to future hotel investors that the Christchurch market will continue to perform well once One New Zealand Stadium opens.' ABOUT CHRISTCHURCHNZ | ChristchurchNZ is the city's sustainable economic development and city profile agency. Our purpose is to stimulate sustainable economic growth for a more prosperous Christchurch.
