Dunedin bars opening on Good Friday and Easter Sunday will be able to serve wine instead of water, thanks to Ed Sheeran.
The British pop star announced a second Dunedin concert yesterday, almost guaranteeing 80,000 fans will pack out Forsyth Barr Stadium across two nights next March.
The announcement of a second concert, on March 31, sent fans into a further frenzy online.
The two concerts are expected to bring millions of dollars into the local economy.
Bar owners concerned at having to close at midnight following the two concerts, due to restrictions on serving alcohol on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, will be buoyed by the news special licences can be issued due to Sheeran's concerts.
''The Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act has a mechanism which allows bars to sell alcohol on Good Friday and Easter Sunday if they are granted a special licence linked to a specific event,'' Dunedin City Council community services general manager Simon Pickford said.
''We will be having discussions with licensees, licensing inspectors, local police and the medical officer of health around planning for this and ensuring an enjoyable weekend for all residents and visitors to the city.''
Sheeran also announced third concerts for Melbourne and Auckland, as well as additional concerts for Sydney and Brisbane.
The 14-show run equals the record for the most stadium shows on an Australia and New Zealand tour.
''I'm overwhelmed with the response. To match that record is very humbling,'' Sheeran said yesterday.
''I really can't wait to get down there.''
A spokeswoman for tour promotor Frontier Touring said all tickets to Sheeran's second Dunedin show would go on sale from 2pm on May 23, along with the remaining tickets from his March 29 show.
Both concerts were expected to attract close to 40,000 fans.
''We are absolutely over the moon that Ed Sheeran will perform a second show under the roof,'' Dunedin Venues Management Ltd chief executive Terry Davies said.
''The city will be fizzing with visitors and Dunedin always puts on a good show for locals and visitors alike.
''The pre-sale tickets were snapped up so quickly.
''We're expecting the same when both Dunedin shows go on public sale ... on Tuesday.
Otago Motel Association president Sue Rhodes said the news of a second concert was ''fantastic'' for accommodation providers and the wider city.
''It's brilliant for the city,'' she said.
''It's what we all need. Everyone will be thrilled to bits.''
Bookings were already coming in for the second show, she said.
Enterprise Dunedin chief executive John Christie said the two concerts would be a financial windfall for the city.
''We are talking about almost 80,000 tickets,'' he said.
''This is welcome news and shows the city is able to host some significant events, which is pretty exciting.''
Enterprise Dunedin was working with those in the hospitality industry to prepare them for the long weekend and with other vendors in the city, he said.
