One of the world's biggest music promoters says it sucks Eden Park is virtually off-limits for concerts.
Michael Chugg is bringing Elton John to New Zealand for three shows next year, and says he never even considers Eden Park now because he's been knocked back so many times.
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Elton John's Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour is set to land in New Zealand this time next year.
The last of his three concerts will be played at Mt Smart Stadium, but his promoter says he wishes he was down the road.
"Eden Park would be wonderful but the people that live around Eden Park make sure no one gets in there," Mr Chugg told Newshub.
"It sucks, it sucks for the city when you've got a venue like that and you can't use it.
Last year, Sir Ray Avery announced plans to hold a charity concert there before blaming neighbouring residents for having to scrap it.
After bringing world-famous acts to New Zealand for decades, Michael Chugg knows the difficulties of trying hold a show at Eden Park - and now doesn't even bother trying.
"Eden Park has never come into the picture, because of the bullshit that surrounds it," Chugg said.
"They've knocked back everything that's ever been put up in the 50 years I've been in the business, so there was no other choice - this is it."
He's also calling out online ticket reseller Viagogo, the company that's been described as a marketplace for scalpers and fraudsters.
"China can ban websites, I don't see any reason why New Zealand and Australia couldn't just ban them and shut 'em down."
In a statement provided to Newshub, Viagogo challenged Chugg's comments and said tickets sold on their platform are "genuine".
“Event organisers sometimes make claims that they will deny entry to people who have purchased resold tickets," a spokesperson said.
"These types of entry restrictions are highly unfair and in our view, unenforceable and illegal. Therefore, as with all tickets on our platform, viagogo customers should feel confident that they will gain entry to the event, and that is why we back every ticket with the viagogo guarantee."
With tickets selling out in under an hour for Sir Elton's first show at Mission Estate, it is expected there will be equally huge demand when tickets for Auckland and Dunedin go on sale on Tuesday.
Newshub.
