Name Change For Vector Arena

The multi-purpose indoor Vector Arena in Auckland, New Zealand, will rebrand as Spark Arena effective April 19, 2017, following a naming rights sponsorship with the telecommunications company.

Spark will also be the venue’s technology partner. Exact figures of the deal were not available. Vector Arena’s management was last year bought out by Live Nation Entertainment and Australia’s MHC Investments, which is owned by Live Nation Australasia president and CEO Michael Coppel and his wife Michelle.

Live Nation already provides pre-sales and premium tickets for the Spark Thanks customer program. Spark sponsored the inaugural Auckland City Limits festival this year, which Live Nation co-promoted.

Live Nation’s Michael Coppel said, “We are pleased to partner with Spark from April 2017, who share our ambitions to always deliver the best possible guest experience in New Zealand and beyond. The possibilities to do so across digital platforms, through creative collaborations and new technology innovations is what makes this most exciting.”

The NZ $80 million ($54.1 million) 12,200-seat venue opened in 2006. It was built and operated under a development agreement with council-controlled Regional Facilities Auckland and is transferred back to Auckland Council after 40 years.