Up it goes ... circus big top a job for a hundred men

The Cirque du Soleil opens in Auckland next week. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

The Cirque du Soleil's big top has been lifted in Auckland, one day after its set-up began.

About 100 men yesterday pushed the tent poles up the final 3m of the 19m high grand chapiteau, at Alexandra Park.

Setting up the tent, which seats more than 2600 people, will continue for five days and requires about 100 local contractors and the circus's 40-person technical crew.

The performers arrive in Auckland for rehearsals on Monday.

Dralion has been on tour for more than 10 years. Auckland is the 59th city the show will be performed in, from July 9 to August 23.

More than eight million people have seen the show, which has a cast of 65 artists from 14 countries.

Taking the tent down is a much faster process.

The crew will have only three days to pack and get 75 shipping containers on their way to Mexico.