Everything you need to know ahead of Ed Sheeran’s Auckland concerts this weekend

After five long years, the legendary Ed Sheeran has made his return to our shores!

As part of his + - = x Tour (pronounced 'The Mathematics Tour'), the British singer-songwriter is set to treat Kiwi fans with two shows at Auckland's Eden Park tonight and tomorrow night.

With the forecast looking mainly fine, the shows – which are set for a crowd of 50,000 each night – are set to be an absolute delight!

So, here’s everything you need to know before heading along to the Friday and Saturday night shows.

When does it start?

Gates open at 4.30pm. Support acts Kaylee Bell comes on at 6pm and Maisie Peters at 7pm.

Sheeran takes the stage at 8.15pm. He’ll play for two and a half hours until 10.45pm.

How to get there

Bus:
Travel on scheduled bus services is included with your concert ticket from 2.30pm until the end of service that day. Show your ticket when you board.

Special event buses will depart from the city centre from the corner of Gore St and Quay St every 10 minutes from 4.30pm to 7.30pm. They will depart after the concert back to the city for one hour after the concert is finished or until the crowds clear.

Train:
Train service is also included in your concert ticket from 2.30pm until end of service that day. Show your ticket when Auckland Transport staff ask.

Buses will replace trains for the following services:
Southern line – buses will replace trains between Otahuhu and Newmarket.
Onehunga Line – buses will replace trains between Onehunga and Newmarket.

Rideshare:
If you plan to get there in a taxi, Uber or other rideshare services, you can be dropped off and picked up from two locations (Dominion Road by the corner of Bellwood Ave or Morningside Drive area between Taylors Rd and Sainsbury Rd), each an approximate 5-10 minute walk from Eden Park.

Drivers will not be able to get closer to Eden Park because of road closures and parking restrictions in place for the concert.

Park and ride:
If you plan to park and walk to the venue, you can park for free at the Alexandra Park Raceway on Saturday from 4.30pm.

You can access the carpark from Campbell Cresent (off Manukau Rd) or Greenlane West. Once parked, you can catch one of the free special event buses to Eden Park.

What to take – and not

Several items are not permitted inside the stadium, including backpacks or bags larger than 42cm high, 30cm wide, and 30cm deep. Professional cameras, cameras with a removable lens or cameras with a lens bigger than a standard watch face are not permitted - though you can bring a small personal camera and, of course, your phone.

You can’t take in commercial or branded food or drinks, though you can bring small quantities of food prepared at home. You can take an empty plastic bottle without a lid or a sealed plastic bottle of water holding up to one litre for a refill at the free water stations in the venue.

Other forbidden items include cigarettes or vapes, dangerous goods, knives, tasers, umbrellas, flags, fireworks, selfie sticks or chilly bins.

Sections of Eden Park are covered with light rain forecast for Friday night while Saturday night appears to be a clear night, but if you’re concerned about getting caught in the rain, be sure to bring a poncho or raincoat.