Wolfbrook Arena

{{Short description|Sporting arena in Christchurch, New Zealand}} {{Redirect|Westpac Centre|the Melbourne-based sports centre|Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre}} {{More citations needed|date=March 2021}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=October 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2017}} {{Infobox venue | name = Wolfbrook Arena | nickname = | logo_image = | image = Horncastle Arena, Christchurch, New Zealand 02.jpg | caption = The arena, under old signage, in August 2019 | city = Christchurch | country = New Zealand | location = 55 Jack Hinton Drive [[Addington, New Zealand|Addington]], [[Christchurch]] [[Canterbury, New Zealand|Canterbury]], New Zealand | coordinates = {{coord|43|32|45|S|172|36|4|E|display=it}} | broke_ground = | opened = 12 September 1998 | owner = Venues Ōtautahi | operator = Venues Ōtautahi | architect = | general_contractor = [[Charles Luney]] | construction_cost = | former_names = Westpac Trust Centre (1998–2007) Westpac Arena (2007–2010) CBS Canterbury Arena (2010–2014) Horncastle Arena (2014–2020) Christchurch Arena (2020–2023) | address = 55 Jack Hinton Drive Addington 8024 | tenants = [[Christchurch Sirens]] ([[Women's National Basketball League|WNBL]]) (2007) [[Canterbury Flames]] ([[National Bank Cup]]) (2002–2007) [[Canterbury Rams]] ([[National Basketball League (New Zealand)|NZNBL]]) (1999–2007) [[Mainland Tactix]] ([[ANZ Championship]]) (2008–present) [[New Zealand Breakers]] ([[National Basketball League (Australia)|NBL]]) (2003–2004, 2019-2025) [[1999 World Netball Championships]] | seating_capacity = [[Netball]]: 7,200 Concerts: 9,000 }}

'''Wolfbrook Arena''' is an indoor arena in [[Christchurch]], New Zealand. It is located in the suburb of [[Addington, New Zealand|Addington]]. Opened in September 1998, it has gone through a series of name changes, most recently in 2023, when it was renamed from '''''Christchurch Arena'''''.

== Description == [[File:Christchurch Arena.jpg|alt=|left|thumb|Main entrance of the arena (2020)]] Wolfbrook Arena is New Zealand's second-largest indoor arena, with a maximum capacity of 9,000 (depending on event type); it was the largest until the construction of [[Auckland]]'s [[Spark Arena|Vector Arena]] in 2007. The indoor stadium hosts concerts, exhibitions and sporting events. Provision for international sport and traditional indoor arena events was integrated into the design requirements.{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}} It has over 6,700 seats for sporting fixtures, which can increase to over 7,000 for concerts.

The Sports and Entertainment{{clarify|date=October 2025|reason=Is this a proper name? What is this complex? Is it different from the arena?}} complex is located adjacent to the [[Addington Raceway]] and [[Christchurch Stadium]] and is surrounded by 3,000 car parking spaces. The complex is only 10 minutes from the city centre.

It has been affectionately dubbed 'The Woolshed' by Canterbury Rams basketball fans. Some Christchurch citizens colloquially refer to the arena as the horseshoe, due to its unusual architectural exterior design.

== History == Construction company [[Charles Luney|Chas S Luney Ltd]] built the stadium.<ref name=library>{{cite web |title=Charles Seymour Luney (Chas), QSO, CNZM 1905 – 2006|url= http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Business/People/L/LuneyCharles/ |publisher=[[Christchurch City Libraries]] |access-date=5 June 2011}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=October 2025|reason=No mention of the arena}} The arena opened in September 1998 at a cost of [[New Zealand dollar|NZ$]]32 million. In the first ever sporting match at CBS Canterbury Arena, the [[Canterbury Rams]] basketball team suffered a close loss to the [[Wellington Saints]] 86–81 in April 1999.

It was built for two main reasons: primarily for the 1999 Netball World Cup in Christchurch, and also because Christchurch was missing out on many concerts and other attractions because it did not have a suitable indoor arena in the city.{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}}

Westpac Arena, which had previously been named WestpacTrust Centre, was renamed CBS Canterbury Arena on 18 June 2010.<ref name="Stuff.co.nz_3830492">{{cite web |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/3830492/CBS-takes-venue-naming-rights |title=CBS takes venue naming rights |author=Heather, Ben |date=19 June 2010 |work=[[The Press]] |access-date=23 September 2011}}</ref> It was renamed Horncastle Arena on 23 July 2014,<ref>{{cite news |last=Meier |first=Cecile |title=Arena sponsor 'here for the long haul' |url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/10303027/Arena-sponsor-here-for-the-long-haul |access-date=19 October 2014 |work=[[The Press]] |date=24 July 2014}}</ref> then Christchurch Arena on 19 September 2020. It was renamed Wolfbrook Arena, after sponsor Wolfbrook Property Group, on 1 June 2023.<ref>{{cite news |title=New name for Christchurch Arena |url=https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/star-christchurch/new-name-christchurch-arena |access-date=3 August 2023 |publisher=[[Otago Daily Times]] |date=24 May 2023}}</ref>

== Sporting home teams == * [[Canterbury Rams]] (1999–2007)<ref>[http://www.ccc.govt.nz/MediaReleases/2007/September/28064439.asp "Basketball returns home to Cowles", ''Christchurch City Council, Media Release''] 29 September 2007.</ref> * [[Christchurch Sirens]] (2007) * [[Canterbury Flames]] (2002–2007) * [[Mainland Tactix]] (2008–present)

== Events ==

=== Entertainment events === {| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" |- ! colspan=5|Entertainment events at Christchurch Arena |- ! width=50| Year ! width=100| Date ! width=150| Nationalities ! width=200| Artists ! width=350| Events |- ! rowspan="3"| 1998 | 12 September | United States | [[Bob Dylan]] | [[Never Ending Tour 1998]] |- | 27 November

| 19 February

|- ! rowspan="3"| 2005 | 22 February

| Ireland | [[Westlife]] | [[Back Home Tour]] |-

| 12 September

| United States

| [[Disturbed (band)|Disturbed]]

| [[Indestructible Tour]] ([[Music as a Weapon]])

|- | 28 October

| United States | [[Stevie Wonder]] | Wonder Spring Summer World Tour 2008 |-

! 2009

| 22 February

| United Kingdom

| [[Iron Maiden]]

| [[Somewhere Back in Time World Tour]]

|- ! rowspan="7"| 2010

| 16 February

| United States

| [[Faith No More]]

| [[The Second Coming Tour (Faith No More)|The Second Coming Tour]]

| 22 September

|- | 3 November

| 19 August

| United States

| [[Slash (musician)|Slash]]

| [[Apocalyptic Love World Tour]]

|- | 6 November

| United Kingdom | [[Mumford & Sons]] | {{n/a}} |- ! rowspan="4"| 2013

| 20 February | United States | [[Macklemore & Ryan Lewis]] | {{n/a}} Note: This show was organised as a student-only event by the [[University of Canterbury Students' Association]], it was originally planned to be held at the Ilam Gardens but the event has since been re-located to allow extra tickets to be sold. |- | 23 February | Australia | [[Reece Mastin]] | [[Beautiful Nightmare (album)|The Summer Nights Tour]] |- | 10 October | Ireland United Kingdom | [[One Direction]] | [[Take Me Home Tour (One Direction)|Take Me Home Tour]] |- | 14 December

| Canada | [[Leonard Cohen]] | [[Old Ideas World Tour]] |- ! rowspan="3"| 2014 | 20 March | United States | [[Lionel Richie]] | [[All the Hits, All Night Long]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eventfinda.co.nz/tour/2013/lionel-richie-and-john-farnham-nz-tour/in/westpac-arena-christchurch|title=Lionel Richie and John Farnham NZ Tour at Horncastle Arena – eventfinda.co.nz|work=eventfinda.co.nz|access-date=23 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://events.stuff.co.nz/tour/2013/lionel-richie-and-john-farnham-nz-tour/in/new-plymouth|title=Lionel Richie and John Farnham NZ Tour in New Plymouth – stuff.co.nz|work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |access-date=23 September 2016}}</ref> |- | 22 March | United States | [[Nine Inch Nails]] | [[Twenty Thirteen Tour]] |- | 10 September

| United States | [[Bob Dylan]] | [[Never Ending Tour 2014]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/art-and-stage/christchurch-music/10481427/Bob-Dylan-lands-in-Christchurch|title=Bob Dylan lands in Christchurch – stuff.co.nz|work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |access-date=23 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/gig-reviews/10485120/Review-Bob-Dylan-in-Christchurch|title=Review: Bob Dylan in Christchurch – stuff.co.nz|work=Les Kokay – stuff.co.nz|access-date=23 September 2016}}</ref> |- ! rowspan="4"| 2015 | 8 April

| United Kingdom | [[Ed Sheeran]] | [[X Tour (Ed Sheeran tour)|x Tour]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2015/ed-sheeran/christchurch-city|title=Ed Sheeran – eventfinda.co.nz|work=eventfinda.co.nz|access-date=23 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.undertheradar.co.nz/gig/44295/Ed-Sheeran.utr|title=Gig guide: Event details – undertheradar.co.nz|work=undertheradar.co.nz|access-date=23 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/art-and-stage/christchurch-music/67435024/ed-sheerans-secret-show-in-christchurch|title=Ed Sheeran's secret show in Christchurch – stuff.co.nz|work=Vicki Anderson – stuff.co.nz|access-date=23 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/gig-reviews/67660741/review-ed-sheeran-captivates-christchurch|title=Review: Ed Sheeran captivates Christchurch – stuff.co.nz|work=Vicki Anderson – stuff.co.nz|access-date=23 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11429560|title=Ed Sheeran delights fans with secret Christchurch show – nzherald.co.nz|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=24 September 2014 |access-date=23 September 2016}}</ref> |- | 21 April

| Puerto Rico | [[Ricky Martin]] | [[One World Tour (Ricky Martin)|One World Tour]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2015/ricky-martin/christchurch-city|title=Ricky Martin – eventfinda.co.nz|work=eventfinda.co.nz|access-date=23 September 2016}}</ref> |- | 10 September

| United States | [[Imagine Dragons]] | [[Smoke + Mirrors Tour]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.undertheradar.co.nz/gig/45924/Imagine-Dragons.utr|title=Gig guide: Event details – undertheradar.co.nz|work=undertheradar.co.nz|access-date=23 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11418112|title=Tour news: Imagine Dragons conjure up two NZ shows|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=March 2015 |access-date=23 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/entertainment/imagine-dragons-to-play-auckland-christchurch-2015031611|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923190117/http://www.newshub.co.nz/entertainment/imagine-dragons-to-play-auckland-christchurch-2015031611|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 September 2016|title=Imagine Dragons to play Auckland, Christchurch|work=[[Newshub]] |access-date=23 September 2016}}</ref> |- | 2 October

| United States | [[Maroon 5]] | [[Maroon V Tour]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/190422/9|title=Maroon 5 add extra Australia and New Zealand shows to 2015 tour plans - stereoboard.com|work=Jon Stickler - stereoboard.com|access-date=23 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/gig-reviews/72624994/Review-Maroon-5-V-Tour|title=Review: Maroon 5 V Tour – stuff.co.nz|work=James Croot – stuff.co.nz|access-date=23 September 2016}}</ref> |- ! rowspan="8"| 2016 | 29 April

| United Kingdom | [[Iron Maiden]] | [[The Book of Souls World Tour]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2016/iron-maiden/christchurch-city|title=Iron Maiden – eventfinda.co.nz|work=eventfinda.co.nz|access-date=23 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ironmaiden.com/news/article/maiden-announce-details-of-concerts-in-new-zealand-and-australia-in-aprilmay-2016-|title=Maiden announce details of concerts in New Zealand and Australia in April/May 2016 - ironmaiden.com|work=ironmaiden.com|access-date=23 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/gig-reviews/79473652/Review-Iron-Maiden-at-Christchurchs-Horncastle-Arena|title=Review: Iron Maiden at Christchurch's Horncastle Arena – stuff.co.nz|work=Nicole Mathewson – stuff.co.nz|access-date=23 September 2016}}</ref> |- | 28 July | Australia | [[Troye Sivan]] | [[Blue Neighbourhood Tour]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2016/troye-sivan/christchurch|title=Troye Sivan – eventfinda.co.nz|work=eventfinda.co.nz|access-date=22 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/gig-reviews/82600272/concert-review-troye-sivan|title=Concert Review: Passionate Troye Sivan connects with Christchurch crowd – stuff.co.nz|work=Enya Beynon – stuff.co.nz|access-date=22 September 2016}}</ref>

| 30 July

| United States

| [[Macklemore & Ryan Lewis]]

| The Unruly Mess I've Made Tour<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2016/macklemore-ryan-lewis/christchurch|title=Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – eventfinda.co.nz|work=eventfinda.co.nz|access-date=22 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/77547462/Macklemore-and-Ryan-Lewis-back-on-tour-returning-to-Auckland|title=Macklemore and Ryan Lewis back on tour, returning to Auckland – stuff.co.nz|work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |access-date=22 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1603/S00138/macklemore-ryan-lewis-live-in-new-zealand.htm|title=Macklemore & Ryan Lewis live in New Zealand – scoop.co.nz|work=scoop.co.nz|access-date=22 September 2016}}</ref>

| 18 August (1 Show)

| rowspan=4 colspan=2 {{n/a}}

| rowspan=4| [[Disney on Ice]]: Magical Ice Festival<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.disney.com.au/disney-on-ice/magical-ice-festival/tickets.html|title=Tour information – disney.com.au|work=disney.com.au|access-date=23 September 2016|archive-date=7 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160907210720/http://www.disney.com.au/disney-on-ice/magical-ice-festival/tickets.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2016/disney-on-ice-presents-magical-ice-festival/christchurch|title=Disney on Ice presents Magical Ice Festival – eventfinda.co.nz|work=eventfinda.co.nz|access-date=23 September 2016}}</ref>

| 19 August (2 Shows)

| 20 August (3 Shows)

| 21 August (3 Shows)

|- | 29 September

| United Kingdom | [[Ellie Goulding]] | [[Delirium World Tour]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2016/ellie-goulding/christchurch|title=Ellie Goulding – eventfinda.co.nz|work=eventfinda.co.nz|access-date=22 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/76939766/Ellie-Goulding-heads-to-New-Zealand-for-Delirium-tour|title=Ellie Goulding heads to New Zealand for Delirium tour – stuff.co.nz|work=Hannah McKee – stuff.co.nz|date=17 February 2016|access-date=22 September 2016}}</ref> |- ! 2018 | 24 April | United States | [[The Killers]] | [[Wonderful Wonderful World Tour]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gates |first1=Charlie |title=The Killers thrill large Christchurch crowd |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/103372849/review-the-killers |access-date=26 February 2025 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=25 April 2018}}</ref> |- ! 2020 | 5 March | Norway | [[A-ha]] | Hunting High and Low Live Tour<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/114291117/aha-announces-two-new-zealand-shows|title = A-ha and Rick Astley announce two New Zealand shows|date = 16 July 2019}}</ref> |- !2022 |25 November |United States |[[The Killers]] |[[Imploding the Mirage Tour]] |- !2024 |23 October |United Kingdom |[[Thom Yorke]] |[[Everything (tour)]] |- !2026 |13 February |New Zealand |[[Lorde]] |[[Ultrasound World Tour]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Courtney |first=Fry |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/lorde-2026-australian-tour/105518680 |title=Lorde is bringing her Ultrasound world tour home down under in early 2026 |access-date=10 July 2025 |date=10 July 2025 |work=ABC |archive-date=10 July 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250710203305/https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/lorde-2026-australian-tour/105518680 |url-status=live}}</ref> |- ! rowspan="2"| 2027 | 30 July | rowspan="2"| [[Ireland]] | rowspan="2"| [[Westlife]] | rowspan="2"| [[The 25th Anniversary World Tour]] |- |31 July |}

=== Sporting === It has hosted a number of different sporting events, including home matches for the Canterbury Rams (basketball), [[New Zealand Breakers]] (basketball) and Mainland Tactix (netball) teams. It occasionally hosts international basketball and netball fixtures featuring the [[New Zealand national basketball team|Tall Blacks]] and [[New Zealand national netball team|Silver Ferns]] respectively. It was the host of the [[1999 Netball World Championships]]. It has hosted many non-regular sporting events, including various celebrity tennis matches, ice shows, disabled games, [[karate]] championships and gymnastics competitions.

In 2007 and 2008 the arena hosted [[WWE]] [[professional wrestling]] tours, featuring the [[SmackDown]] and [[ECW (WWE)|ECW]] brands. It again hosted a WWE event in September 2017, this time a [[WWE Raw|Raw]] branded event.

=== Other uses === The arena plays a key role in the Christchurch economy, hosting annual trade shows, including the Christchurch Home Show, Women's Lifestyle Expo, Armageddon Expo, and the Go Green Expo.

Christchurch Arena is managed by Venues Otautahi, the venue management company that also manages the Christchurch Town Hall, Apollo Projects Stadium, Airforce Museum of New Zealand and Hagley Oval Pavilion. The combined facilities regularly host a variety of different events

The venue is also used for big gala dinners, lunches, balls, and cocktail parties.

==See also== * [[List of indoor arenas in New Zealand]]

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{Commons category|CBS Canterbury Arena}} * [https://www.venuesotautahi.co.nz/ Venues Ōtautahi – venue manager] for Christchurch Arena. Lists upcoming events and allows to take a virtual tour of the Arena

[[Category:1998 establishments in New Zealand]] [[Category:Indoor arenas in New Zealand]] [[Category:Music venues in New Zealand]] [[Category:Sports venues in Christchurch]] [[Category:Basketball venues in New Zealand]] [[Category:Boxing venues in New Zealand]] [[Category:Netball venues in New Zealand]] [[Category:Defunct National Basketball League (Australia) venues]] [[Category:1990s architecture in New Zealand]]