Kiwis are sports mad and love the great outdoors during all seasons. As a result, New Zealand hosts an exciting range of major sporting and annual events.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™(opens in new window) saw the best of the women's game head to New Zealand and Australia and to compete to reach the final. The four New Zealand host cities and stadiums were Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau – Eden Park, Dunedin / Ōtepoti – Dunedin Stadium, Hamilton / Kirikiriroa – Waikato Stadium and Wellington / Te Whanganui-a-Tara – Wellington Stadium.
A world celebration of mountain biking, the Crankworx tour starts in New Zealand before continuing on to Australia, France and Canada. Events are staged in picturesque locations throughout Rotorua , including Skyline Gravity Park and the famed Whakarewarewa Forest. Witness the speed-loving pros compete or ride some epic trails yourself. In your downtime, soak in hot tubs, visit Eat Street, or immerse yourself in a cultural performance.
The BDO Lake, Taupo Cycle Challenge(opens in new window), is NZ’s premier and largest cycling event, with around 5,000 riders from across New Zealand and the globe taking part each year! It's New Zealand’s most sought after biking event, creating memorable experiences in one of our country’s most breath-taking locations, Lake Taupo, which offers road, MTB, and recreational category options.
Set between the spectacular Crown and the Remarkable mountain ranges, the Queenstown International Marathon offers run options from 42km to 10km, and a 2.2km fun run for the kids. It's the perfect opportunity to take in the region’s best highlights, including Millbrook Resort, Arrowtown, Lake Hayes, Shotover River and Lake Wakatipu.
Hawke's Bay is famous for its vineyards, beaches and orchards. So what better way to take in a region's highlights than by running or walking? You can opt for the full Hawke's Bay Marathon(opens in new window) and go for 42km or take it a little easier with a 21km and 10km walk or run.
Held in Queenstown, the ISPS Handa Open(opens in new window) is a major event on the New Zealand sporting calendar. Hosted at two spectacular golf courses – Millbrook Resort and The Hills – the tournament incorporates a unique Pro-Am format that brings together a prestigious blend of professional and amateur golfers.
An iconic multisport event, Coast to Coast(opens in new window) (opens in new window)sees competitors run, bike, hike and kayak across some of the most spectacular parts of the South Island. Starting from the windswept West Coast, the 243km course travels across the Southern Alps before ending at Christchurch's New Brighton Pier where a vibrant beachside festival greets competitors.
The highlight of the southern hemisphere ski season, you may go to the Winter Games NZ(opens in new window) for the world-class competition, but you'll stay for the spectacular scenery. Held every year in Queenstown, Wanaka, and Naseby, the resort towns come alive with a jam-packed programme promising heaps of fun-filled festivities.
