Cricket, crooning and culture: Bumper weekend in Auckland

It's a busy few days in the city of sails, with mega pop star Ed Sheeran serenading fans, Pasifika festival taking over Western Springs park and the cricket stretching over the weekend.

Tickets for Sheeran's Mt Smart Stadium shows sold out on Thursday, with 135,000 people expected to come and see the crooner's "Divide" world tour shows over three nights.

Sales have outstripped the 128,000 who paid to see Adele last year, breaking records.

"We will be expecting 45,000 people at each of the three Auckland shows – a record attendance for Mt Smart Stadium," a spokeswoman for Frontier Touring said.

"All three Auckland shows are currently sold out however it's possible we may be able to put a small number of production holds on sale. Check ticketmaster.co.nz for availability."

Traffic jams of up to two hours were warned of in the lead up to Adele, and Auckland transport is again telling fans to allow extra time to make it to the stadium in Penrose.

Travel on trains, the Northern Express bus and special event buses to the concert were included in the ticket price and gates open at 4pm.

Sheeran is billed to play at 8.45pm with the opening act starting at 6.30pm.

Running from 10am on Saturday and Sunday mornings, the annual Pasifika festival will see Western Springs park pumping.

Ateed spokeswoman Melanya Burrows said about 60,000 people were expected to attend the festival over its two day run.

The event, which celebrates and showcases Auckland's Pacific Island cultures and communities with food, crafts and live performances would be going ahead rain or shine, Burrows said.

A free Pasifika shuttle service will operate between Carrington Rd, outside Unitec and Western Springs Park.

Free parking is available at Unitec and Pasadena Intermediate School and Western Springs College have $10 cash only paid parking available on their school fields as fundraising activities.

For people in wheelchairs or with impaired mobility, the easiest place to park or be dropped off is along Motions Rd, which is reserved for mobility parking between 5am – 7pm Saturday and Sunday.

Regular public transport is also an option, with several bus and train lines stopping a short walk away.

Parking restrictions and road closures will be in place, so Ateed asked people to plan travel in advance.

Meanwhile around the corner at Eden Park, some 50,000 people are expected to make their way through the grounds over the test's five days - if it lasts that long.

The inaugural pink ball day-night test started badly for the English, who made only 58 runs in their first innings.

Each day's play is scheduled to start at 2pm, with stumps at approximately 9pm.

Fans can catch the train to Eden Park for free with their ticket and on Saturday kids' can come for free - one child's ticket will be given with every adult ticket purchased.

"We are actively encouraging all Aucklanders to be part of this historic event and expect the Test to attract new audiences, many of whom may not have previously attended a cricket match," Eden Park boss Nick Sautner said.

WHAT'S ON

Ed Sheeran is playing Mt Smart Stadium in Penrose: Saturday 24, Sunday 25 and Monday 26 of March. Gates open at 4pm and Sheeran is billed to start at 8.45pm each night. Tickets are sold out.

Pasifika Festival is on at Western Springs Park from 10am to 6pm Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 of March. Free admission.

The Eden Park test match between New Zealand and Englad is on from 2pm on Saturday 24, Sunday 25 and Monday 26 March. Ticket prices vary.

WEATHER

Saturday: A few showers, chance heavy with thunderstorms. Northeasterlies, dying out evening. High of 22.

Sunday: Rain easing to a few showers, clearing later. Light winds. High of 23.

Monday: Mainly fine, isolated afternoon showers. Light winds, afternoon sea breezes. high of 23.