Go Media Stadium solar panels power sold-out One NZ Warriors match

July 29, 2025

Following the installation of over 1600 panels on the roof at Auckland's Go Media Stadium, the sellout crowd at Saturday evening’s One NZ Warriors vs Gold Coast Titans match watched New Zealand’s first-ever solar-powered NRL fixture.

Lining the rooves of the East and West Stands, the solar panels line and are already contributing to the Stadium’s power supply and are expected to generate around 800 MWh a year, which is equal to 60% of the venue’s total energy usage.

First announced in February 2025, the installation has been delivered in time to contribute renewable energy towards at least four more Warriors matches this season at Go Media Stadium.

Commenting on the initiative, One New Zealand Warriors, Chief Executive, Cameron George stated “it is great to see this investment into the infrastructure at Go Media Stadium.

“Sustainability is important to our fans and to the whole Warriors organisation. With our high-performance training and administrative offices also based at the stadium, all of our teams will enjoy the use of renewable energy for the whole week, as well as on matchdays."

The solar installation is the only stadium project of its kind in New Zealand and one of only a few in Australasia. No other NRL venue currently matches the scale of this solar project.

The solar installation will not only lower the stadium’s carbon footprint but will also generate estimated savings on energy spend each year of over $150.000 and is expected to pay for itself within six to eight years.

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s Director of Auckland Stadiums, James Parkinson noted “we are immensely proud of this solar project and being the first stadium in New Zealand to be able to host solar-powered events.

“The solar panels are part of our ongoing work to move away from fossil fuels.

“Now that it’s complete, this innovative project shows what is possible when venues lead from the front. It’s another big step forward for the stadium and something Auckland can be proud of.

“We would love to see other venues embrace this technology.

“We’ve benefitted from the winter sun this week contributing power to our daily operations and are looking forward to Saturday’s sellout Warriors match also being boosted by solar power.”

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s Senior Sustainability Assets Advisor, Marlies Wilson added “it’s fantastic to see an iconic Auckland venue embrace innovation and work to improve its carbon footprint.

“This solar initiative will help to generate clean, renewable energy for a legacy venue and will also allow for energy to be sold back into the grid. The wider decarbonisation project at the stadium will contribute to carbon emission reductions of approximately 140 tonnes per year, with the solar installation set to generate up to sixty per cent of the stadium’s energy usage. TAU are working to reduce carbon emissions at all our venues and contribute to Auckland Council’s goals to reduce carbon emissions by half by 2030.”

Go Media Stadium’s decarbonisation efforts have also received industry recognition this year with the project named a finalist in the NZ Energy Excellence Awards, under the Low Carbon Future

Award. The wider decarbonisation efforts have also been recognised nationally in the New Zealand Event Awards (NZEAs), with a nomination for Sustainability Initiative of the Year.

This weekend’s NRL game will be the first of many solar-powered events, as the stadium looks ahead to a busy calendar of sport, concerts and more under its new renewable energy system.

Images: The completed solar panel project at Go Media Stadium.

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