Horncastle Arena
As one of New Zealand’s largest indoor entertainment venues, the Horncastle Arena attracts leading international artists, performers and sports teams to Christchurch. Concerts here are a big deal, and fans travel from all over the country to take in the sights, sounds, excitement and adrenalin on display.
Conveniently located in Addington, the arena boasts over 4,000m2 of floor space – an area that is readily available for the big Christchurch events and easily adaptable for the smaller ones. Clever design integrations mean the venue can quickly transform from a netball court to a 7000-seat concert arena. Such flexibility ensures Horncastle Arena can cater for exhibitions, expos, concerts, conferences and gala dinners.
Images
Walkthrough
Getting Here
Horncastle Arena is located at 55 Jack Hinton Drive, Addington, Christchurch
If you are coming to a ticketed event it will pay to keep an eye on the event page on What's on as this is where you find up to date information for specific events. Otherwise, we have put the following information together to help you find your way.
Plan Ahead
Always allow more time than you expect to get to and from the venue and aim to arrive at least 45 minutes before the start of the event. Traffic congestion can be heavy for the majority of events particularly if there are other events taking place in the precinct or during peak commuter travel times.
By Car
There is a large complimentary car park on site however space is subject to availability. We recommend car pooling or parking in nearby, well-lit streets.
For some events a Traffic Management Plan may be in place which will restrict entry and exit points. To see if there is a Traffic Management Plan in place for an event, visit www.tfc.govt.nz
Disability Parking is available directly opposite the front entry of the Arena in the main car park. Only vehicles with the appropriate Mobility Pass will be allowed entry.
By Bus
Metro Bus Stops are located nearby on Lincoln Road and Whiteleigh Ave. Visit www.metroinfo.org.nz for more information and timetables.
By Taxi
Taxis are generally welcome to drop you off within the Arena precinct. Subject to events, there is a taxi rank available outside the main entrance of the Arena. If you require a taxi pick up post event we recommend you book this well in advance as taxis can be in high demand in particular later in the evening.
We do recommend calling 0800 VBASE NZ to check whether taxis are allowed into the car park for your specific event, as occasionally they may not be able to enter the Arena car park.
Pedestrians
Pedestrian access is available from all points of entry in to the area. Please stay on footpaths and sides of roads for your safety and that of others.
By Bike
Bike racks are available for cyclists and are located opposite the main entrance of the Arena in the car park area. Please ensure that you lock your bikes securely to the rack.
Conditions of Entry
Horncastle Arena is smokefree at all times, this includes the use of Vapes & E-Cigarettes.
Please note while we endeavour to communicate as much as possible, Promoters and Event Owners/Operators may amend these Conditions of Entry at short or no notice for reasons of safety and security.
Dress Code
All persons entering Horncastle Arena must be appropriately dressed.
The right of admittance is reserved to Arena staff and decision will be final. In particular no person will be permitted entry to the Arena with:
- Bare feet
- Clothing containing offensive messages (or gang patches)
- Inappropriate costume
- High vis reflective clothing
Behaviour
Patrons may be refused entry to or asked to leave the Arena if they:
- Are not in possession of a valid ticket or pass
- Are the subject of a current trespass order
- Attempt to bring in, or are found with, prohibited items (Full list of items below)
- Appear intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, or otherwise behave in a disorderly or offensive manner
- Refuse to undergo a breathalyser test.
- Fail to comply with security or entry staff requests, including submission to a search
- Are carrying out illegal or unauthorised activities within the Arena
Age Restrictions
- Anyone aged 13 or under needs to be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Permitted Items
- Homemade food items for personal consumption eg. Sandwich
- Personal compact cameras and phone cameras.
Prohibited Items
- Alcohol or Illegal Substances
- Bottles or Drink Containers of any size (excluding baby bottles)
- Flasks / Thermos
- Commercial Food eg. Fish and Chips
- Animals (except guide or hearing dogs)
- Chairs/Stools/Furniture
- Offensive Signs or Banners
- Whistles / Musical Instruments / Air Horns / Vuvuzelas
- Selfie sticks/ Flares / Fireworks / Laser Lights
- Dangerous Goods / Weapons / Anything that appears to look like a weapon
- Gang patches
- All commercial/professional grade recording devices including but not limited to video cameras, GoPros, iPads, tablets and DSLR/SLR cameras with detachable lenses.
Last reviewed October 2017
Floor Plans & Capacities
Capacities
|
Space |
Area (m2) |
Cocktail |
Banquet |
Theatre |
Concert |
|
Main Arena |
4,000 |
4,500 |
2,500 |
- |
8,800 |
|
Concourse |
1,725 |
350 |
150 |
150 |
- |
|
Back of House |
655 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Corporate Suites |
16-38 |
24 |
18 |
22 |
12-24 |
*These numbers are indicative only, and room capacity will depend on your event requirements.
Floor Plan
View the Floor Plan - PDF View the Data Sheets - PDF
Food & Beverage
Whether you’re here as a guest for an event, or you’re the one organising it, we’ve got you sorted and it’s all about choice…
Coming to an event at Horncastle Arena?
From hot chips and soft drinks to delicious cake and boutique beers, see what’s available throughout the venue by viewing either menu below. Please be aware these menus are all subject to change depending on the event requirements.
Planning an event?
If you’re organising a special event then you’ve got some choices to make. Head on over to the Organisers and Exhibitors tab to view your options >
Health & Safety
With so many precious guests walking through our doors every day we take our responsibilities very seriously.
You may be coming to a concert, a conference or a gala dinner to dance the night away so we’re here to ensure you not only have an amazing time but also a safe one at Horncastle Arena. We’ve done our research, collaborated with the right people and put measures in place so we can confidently stand by our Health & Safety Statement of Commitment.
We hope you don't have to but if you have any questions or concerns about your experience at Horncastle Arena then please do get in touch so we can take the appropriate actions to ensure everyone's safe and sound.
If you’re planning an event however, then you’ll also need to be on board with all our policies and procedures so head on over to the Organisers & Exhibitors tab to get the low down >>
Organisers & Exhibitors
Whoever said the devil’s in the detail must’ve worked in events!
Whether you’re planning your stand at the next big expo, or you’re organising the entire event from scratch, there can be a lot of information you need to take in. Here we try to break it down a little and make the process just a bit easier for everyone.
Before you think you’ve got it covered though please remember - as with any event planning, your specific requirements may differ from what’s listed here – every event is unique and your event is definitely a bit more special!
Food & beverage options
It's all about choice. We have created our menu pack to suit the huge range of events we host here at Vbase so you can choose from a pre-set menu package, or customise your own menu from a large selection of individual items. Head on over to our Catering page and get inspired!
Exhibitor information
How many sockets do you need at your stand? Do you know where you can park to get that show stopper display into the venue? We know it’s those tiny details that can make a huge difference to your experience when you’re exhibiting so the guide below is exactly that. A guide to what the venue has included for your use, what’s available for those additional requests and how the venue team operate to get everyone packed in and out safely.
Horncastle Arena Exhibitor Guide
Health & Safety
Do you know where our responsibilities merge with yours? With the new legislations in play we’ve taken extra care and attention to making sure you have everything covered ahead of your next event. Here’s a sample of documents you may come across when planning your next event at a Vbase venue but your evetn Coordinator will be in touch to let you know exactly what applies to your event.
Smart Stuff Check it House Rules - Smaller Events House Rules - Larger Events Health & Safety Policy Suite
Need something more intimate? With 18 hospitality suites overlooking the action below, the arena provides Christchurch with a sophisticated corporate hospitality offering. Canterbury and South Island businesses have plenty of opportunities to entertain in a suitably dramatic setting.
The good people at Horncastle Homes are the principal naming partner for the arena. If you would like to know more about their work go to horncastle.co.nz.