New Zealand's sporting calendar is packed with events that come back every year, from world-class tennis in Auckland to endurance races across the Southern Alps. This guide lists the main annual events in calendar order, so it stays useful year after year.
Dates move slightly each year. Check with each organiser before booking travel.
Summer: January to March
- ASB Classic, Auckland (January): WTA and ATP tennis at the Manuka Doctor Arena.
- Coast to Coast (February): the multisport race from Kumara Beach on the West Coast to New Brighton in Christchurch.
- Tarawera Ultra-Trail, Rotorua (February): one of the world's best-known trail ultras.
- Challenge Wānaka (February): a triathlon festival on Lake Wānaka, with a new 100 km format from 2027.
- Southern Cross Round the Bays (February and March): fun runs in Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland.
- New Zealand Open (late February): golf at Millbrook Resort near Arrowtown.
- Ironman New Zealand, Taupō (March): the full-distance and 70.3 triathlons on the same day.
- Motatapu (March): mountain bike and trail runs between Wānaka and Arrowtown.
- Crankworx (February and March): international mountain biking in Christchurch and Rotorua.
- Super Rugby Pacific (February to June): home games in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.
Autumn and winter: April to August
- Christchurch Marathon (April) and Rotorua Marathon (May).
- Hawke's Bay Marathon (May): through Hawke's Bay wine country.
- All Blacks home tests (July and later): at Eden Park, Sky Stadium, One New Zealand Stadium and other venues.
- Ski season (June to October): with international snow sports events at Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Cardrona in some years.
- NPC rugby (August to October): provincial rugby around the country.
Spring and early summer: September to December
- Auckland Marathon (late October or early November): over the Harbour Bridge.
- NZ Cup and Show Week, Christchurch (November): the NZ Trotting Cup at Addington and the New Zealand Cup at Riccarton Park.
- Queenstown Marathon (November): one of the most scenic road marathons in the world.
- International cricket (November to March): Black Caps and White Ferns home series.
Getting your team or supporters there
Whether you are taking a team to compete, a supporters' club to a big game or a corporate group to a hospitality box, a booked minibus or coach removes the parking hunt and gets everyone home together.
- For race events, book an early drop-off at the start and a pick-up at the finish, which is often in a different place.
- Stadium events have set coach drop-off zones, so we plan around the road closures.
- Carry gear? Tell us about bikes, kayaks or kit bags so we send the right vehicle or a trailer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest annual sporting event in New Zealand?
There is no single answer, but the ASB Classic, Coast to Coast, Ironman New Zealand and NZ Cup Week each draw large crowds and visitors from overseas every year.
Can you transport sports teams and their gear?
Yes. We move teams, clubs and schools around the country and can arrange vehicles with room for bags, bikes and equipment.
Team and supporter transport
Bus Hire NZ arranges minibuses and coaches for groups of all sizes, from 11-seat minibuses to 53-seat coaches, with professional drivers who know the venues, the drop-off points and the event traffic plans.
Tell us your event, date and group size through our quick quote form, and we will come back with options.