October 29 – Billionaires Bill Foley and Anna Mowbray, alongside former All Black Ali Williams, have reportedly tabled a “very impressive proposal” for an 8,000-capacity football stadium at Auckland’s Western Springs site, which could become the permanent home of new A-League franchise Auckland FC.
The plans would see a complete rebuild of the main stadium, provision for new futsal and indoor basketball courts, and precinct-building work to link the stadium better to the neighbouring Western Springs parkland and zoo.
The development project will likely mark the end of an era for two historic sports institutions: Ponsonby Rugby, a longstanding rugby union club in Auckland, and Western Springs Speedway, which has hosted speedway events for almost a century.
Work on the project could begin at the end of 2025 when the rugby and speedway leases at the Western Springs site are due to expire.
Auckland FC would certainly not be short of the funds to build a new stadium: Foley, who also owns football teams England (AFC Bournemouth), Scotland (Hibernian), and France (Lorient), has an estimated net worth of $2.1billion, according to Forbes.
The club partnered with Auckland Stadiums back in July as part of an agreement which allowed them to play their home games at Go Media Stadium for their first five years of competition, while basing their training and administrative headquarters at neighbouring North Harbour Stadium.
Auckland FC played its inaugural A-League Men’s match on the October 19, 2024 at the Go Media Stadium, also known as the Mount Smart Stadium, in front of a sell-out crowd of 24,492. The Black Knights secured a 2-0 victory over Brisbane Roar. Since then, they have become the only team to win both opening games and currently sit top of the A League table.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1730248018labto1730248018ofdlr1730248018owedi1730248018sni@g1730248018niwe.1730248018yrrah1730248018
Author : Paul Nicholson
Publish date : 2024-10-29 08:06:41
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The post Foley plans stadium build for his new Aussie A League franchise Auckland FC first appeared on Foot & Soccer.
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Author : footsoccer
Publish date : 2024-10-30 02:52:07
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