Last updated October 2026
Taupō District Council calls Owen Delany Park “Taupo’s largest multi-purpose sports ground”, and the list of what fits inside it backs that up: a floodlit international-size main field, five outer fields, a 400 m athletics track, ten netball courts, a velodrome, a gymnastics hall and an archery area.
The park sits about 4 km from the Taupō town centre and is named after Owen Delany, who was known as “Mr Sport”. Fourteen sports codes call it home, and the council counts more than 600,000 visitor movements a year. A new community sports hub adds changing rooms and sheltered viewing for supporters at the lower fields.
Practical Information
- Location
- About 4 km from the Taupō town centre
- Managed by
- Taupō District Council
- Facilities
- Floodlit main field with grandstand; five outer fields; cricket wickets (grass and artificial); 400 m athletics track; ten netball courts; velodrome; gymnastics hall; archery; children’s playground; changing rooms, showers and toilets; ample car and bus parking
- Capacity
- 30,000 (council event venue page)
- Bookings
- Council Events Team, 07 376 0899, or an online Event Application; sports venues through the council’s Bookable site
- Status
- Taupō District Council: Owen Delany Park page
About Owen Delany Park
The stadium is the centrepiece. Its main field is international size and floodlit, overlooked by a grandstand with seven boxes.
Downstairs, a clubroom lounge has a view of the main field, a bar, catering and a big screen, and upstairs a corporate lounge has a deck over the field, air-conditioning and two small self-catering kitchens. The council lists a media viewing platform for broadcasting games, too.
Beyond the stadium lie the outer fields and courts. The council lists four grass cricket blocks and six artificial wickets, along with the athletics track, netball courts, velodrome, gymnastics hall and archery range, and its upgrade page and news release name rugby and touch among the codes using the fields. There is a children’s playground and room for marquees during events.
The numbers give a sense of how busy the place is. According to the council, 74% of the park’s use happens on weekday afternoons, and 44% of visitors come from outside the district. The council’s sportsgrounds page names Owen Delany Park, alongside Crown Park, as a place to host a sports tournament.
History and the New Sports Hub
The council says the park opened in 1985. It grew out of Owen Delany’s vision for a district sports hub, and former mayor David Trewavas championed the project. At the opening of the new hub, Mayor John Funnell noted that it was “particularly significant to have Owen Delany’s sons and daughters” there.
The hub is the second stage of a three-stage upgrade, following new stadium floodlights. Opened in September 2026, it has four double changing rooms that can be split into eight, all with showers, plus unisex toilets, a small lounge and kitchen, and a shelter for supporters watching the lower fields.
Car parking around the building was upgraded at the same time. The $5.3 million project was paid for with outside funding: about $5 million from the government’s Better Off fund and the rest from the NZ Lottery Grant Board and the NZ Community Gaming Trust.
Events and Bookings
The park is also on the council’s list of event venues, and hosts concerts as well as sport; the council suggests it for training, team-building, functions and sporting events. Event enquiries go to the council’s Events Team on 07 376 0899 during business hours, or through its online Event Application.
Bookings for the council’s sporting venues are made through its Bookable website. The Taupō Events Centre, a separate indoor stadium with a gym and aquatic centre, is less than 1 km away.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Owen Delany Park?
About 4 km from the Taupō town centre, according to Taupō District Council.
Who is the park named after?
Owen Delany, known as “Mr Sport”. The park grew from his vision for a district sports hub.
When did Owen Delany Park open?
The council says it opened in 1985.
What sports are played there?
Fourteen codes use the park, including netball, archery, cricket, rugby and touch. It also has an athletics track, a velodrome and a gymnastics hall.
Is there a velodrome?
Yes. The council lists a standard-size velodrome among the park’s facilities.
Are there changing rooms and toilets?
Yes. The new community sports hub has changing rooms with showers and unisex toilets, and the stadium has its own changing facilities, showers and toilets.
How do I book the park for an event?
Contact the council’s Events Team on 07 376 0899 during business hours, or submit an online Event Application.
Is there parking?
Yes. The council lists ample car parking, including bus parking.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Related links 3
- Taupō District Council: Owen Delany Park: the fields, stadium lounges, facilities and event booking contacts.
- Taupō District Council: Owen Delany Park upgrade: the floodlights, the new community sports hub and the next stages of work.
- Taupō District Council: Sportsgrounds and facilities: help with sports tournaments and the link to the council’s venue booking site.