Tour News - Steinlager Centre Court Sounds returns serving up Kiwi icons Shapeshifter as new headliner - 22nd April 2026
Auckland’s most unique live music experience is officially back. Centre Court Sounds returns bigger, bolder, and with a brand new naming partner - relaunching today as Steinlager Centre Court Sounds, set to transform the Mānuka Doctor Arena into a boutique live music venue for one night only on Saturday October 31st, 2026.
Tickets for Steinlager Centre Court Sounds are available across a range of premium and general options, including General Admission, Premium GA, Corporate Suites, and VIP Booths. Designed in the style of the exclusive hospitality suites seen during the ASB Classic, VIP Booths offer groups of six, or a 12-person courtside setup, with a raised, comfortable vantage point of the stage while staying close to the centre-court energy. Each booth includes a premium beverage starter pack on arrival and a personal chilly bin to keep drinks cold, with the option to order additional food and beverages directly to your booth via a QR code ordering system, delivered straight to your space.
Tickets are on sale now and can be found at centrecourtsounds.flicket.co.nz
After a postponed February date, Steinlager Centre Court Sounds now re-emerges with a refreshed vision, new partnerships, and a major headline announcement: Kiwi icons Shapeshifter will top the bill as part of their 20-year Soulstice anniversary tour, with Steinlager Centre Court Sounds confirmed as the official Auckland date.
Today’s announcement also confirms a standout list of supporting acts joining the lineup: Sydney electronic duo Bag Raiders, dancefloor powerhouse Bontempo, and George FM Drive co-host and DJ SIN, all set to bring high energy to the court.
Shapeshifter’s inclusion marks a defining moment for the festival. As one of Aotearoa’s most influential live electronic acts, the band’s Soulstice era remains iconic, and their 20-year anniversary tour is one of the country’s biggest live music celebrations of 2026.
Centre Court Sounds promoter Nick Randell says, “The event is built around transforming a world-class sporting arena into a unique live music experience. The event captures the intimacy and atmosphere that makes tennis special and reimagines it. Bringing Kiwi icons Shapeshifter to celebrate 20 years of Soulstice will be a special moment”.
For one night only, the arena will be completely transformed into a boutique, hospitality-led music festival, featuring lush greenery, turf underfoot, curated bars, premium food and beverage offerings, and elevated viewing experiences across suites, premium seating, VIP lounges and on-court GA. The centre-court format places fans just metres from the stage, delivering unbeatable sightlines and an atmosphere unlike any other New Zealand event.
The move to October places Centre Court Sounds perfectly in the calendar, filling the festival lull between winter and the summer rush, while also kicking off a season of live music ahead of the arena’s return to tennis later in the year.
Following ASB Classic redevelopment works, including the removal of the original Robinson Stand, the temporary stand will be repurposed into a purpose-built stage and backstage lounge spaces, expanding the event’s capacity to 3,000 and enabling a configuration designed specifically for live music.
Building on a successful first year, 2026 will also introduce new and improved offerings including a larger GA footprint, a refreshed premium hospitality layout, and upgraded VIP booth and lounge experiences.
A new era of live music, served centre court.
STEINLAGER CENTRE COURT SOUNDS 2026
SHAPESHIFTER // BAG RAIDERS // BONTEMPO // SIN
Saturday October 31st 2026
Manuka Doctor Arena
Tickets on sale from https://centrecourtsounds.flicket.co.nz/
