SkyCity and AJ Hackett launch new Sky Tower Thrill Ride

SkyCity Entertainment Group and AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand have partnered to launch SkyRide, a new experiential attraction at Auckland's iconic Sky Tower. The thrill ride will position participants 192 metres above the city on the exterior of New Zealand's tallest structure, offering a premium entertainment experience designed to attract both tourists and local visitors. The attraction is scheduled to open to the public on June 26, expanding SkyCity's portfolio of non-gaming entertainment offerings.

The SkyRide launch reflects a broader industry trend among gaming and hospitality operators to diversify revenue streams beyond traditional gaming floors. As regulatory scrutiny on gambling intensifies globally and consumer preferences shift toward experiential entertainment, operators increasingly develop complementary attractions. For SkyCity, which operates casinos and hospitality venues across New Zealand and Australia, adding high-margin experiential offerings helps reduce dependence on gaming revenue and attracts a broader demographic.

The partnership with AJ Hackett Bungy, an established adventure tourism operator, leverages complementary expertise. AJ Hackett brings operational experience in managing thrill experiences safely and marketing them to adventure-seeking tourists, while SkyCity provides the venue, customer base, and hospitality infrastructure. This collaboration model—where gaming operators partner with specialized entertainment providers—has become increasingly common as operators seek to enhance their venues' appeal without building all capabilities in-house.

For SkyCity specifically, SkyRide represents an opportunity to increase foot traffic to the Sky Tower, drive ancillary spending on dining and retail, and generate additional revenue from a premium-priced experience. The June 26 opening positions the attraction for the Southern Hemisphere winter tourism season, when international visitors to New Zealand remain active. Success with SkyRide could encourage SkyCity to develop additional non-gaming attractions at its properties, further diversifying its business model and reducing regulatory and market risks associated with gaming-only operations.