CLIENT
David Atkins Enterprises
LOCATION
Eden Park Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
YEAR
2011
PROJECT TYPE
Opening Ceremony / Stadium Event
Scope
Stadium audio system design and show control support for the opening ceremony
Services Provided
- →Stadium sound system design
- →Signal distribution design
- →Show control coordination
- →Systems engineering support
The Brief
Auditoria were engaged by David Atkins Enterprises to design the audio systems for the opening ceremony of the 2011 Rugby World Cup, staged at Eden Park Stadium in Auckland.
The ceremony took place immediately before the opening match of the tournament and lasted approximately 30–35 minutes. The performance centred around a large projection surface covering the field of play, supported by an intense musical soundtrack and large-scale visual elements.
The system needed to deliver the musical impact expected of a major international sporting event while operating within strict time constraints before the match began.
The Challenge
The main technical constraint was the requirement to clear the field of play extremely quickly once the ceremony had finished.
Unlike some stadium shows where equipment can remain in position, all field-based infrastructure needed to be removed in a very short window so the pitch could be handed over for the opening match. This meant the system design had to balance performance with rapid deployment and removal.
The soundtrack itself was musically demanding, requiring a system capable of delivering significant energy across the stadium while still supporting the visual storytelling of the ceremony.
Our Approach
The design focused on delivering a robust stadium sound system that could be deployed and removed efficiently without compromising the audio performance required for the show.
Signal distribution across the system was handled through an Optocore network, with DiGiCo consoles supporting the control environment.
Technical Highlights:
Audio Design
Optocore signal distribution network
DiGiCo consoles for show control and mixing
The Results
The opening ceremony was delivered successfully in front of a full stadium audience at Eden Park.
The audio system supported the musical intensity of the show while meeting the strict operational requirement to clear the field of play quickly ahead of the opening match.
The project demonstrated how careful planning and coordination can allow large-scale ceremony infrastructure to operate within the tight timelines of live sport.
Acknowledgements
Our Client
David Atkins Enterprises
Our Team
Scott Willsallen – Audio Designer
Our Supplier
Norwest Productions
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