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Auckland to Host Jennian Homes NZ Track and Field Championships for Historic Three Years!
April 8, 2025
For the first time in over a decade, the Jennian Homes New Zealand Track & Field Championships are returning to Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland.
They won’t just be back for one year. Athletics New Zealand is delighted to announce that Auckland will host the national championships for three consecutive years, beginning in 2026 and running through to 2028.
The 2026 championships will run from March 5 to 8, bringing the pinnacle of New Zealand’s domestic athletics season to Aotearoa’s largest city. With a thriving athletics scene and a packed international schedule in the years ahead, establishing a consistent home for the event will provide athletes, coaches, and fans with a strong platform as we build towards the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
Athletics New Zealand CEO Cam Mitchell says the return to Auckland for the next three years is an exciting step forward for the sport.
“Auckland has such a rich athletics history, and we’re thrilled to bring the Jennian Homes New Zealand Track & Field Championships back to the country’s biggest city. Having the championships locked in for the next three years allows athletes and their support teams to plan with certainty, while also giving Auckland the chance to build momentum as the home of our sport’s premier domestic event,” said Mitchell.
“New Zealand athletics is in a golden era, with Olympic and Paralympic champions, world indoor champions, and a new generation of stars breaking through. As we build towards the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, having this consistency will be invaluable for our athletes’ preparation. We’re excited to bring world-class domestic competition to Auckland and inspire the next generation of Kiwi athletes.”
Auckland last hosted the Jennian Homes New Zealand Track & Field Championships in 2013. Over the past decade, the event has moved around the country to locations including Wellington, Hastings, and, most recently, Dunedin. With Tāmaki Makaurau serving as the base for some of New Zealand’s most high-profile athletes and offering world-class facilities, the timing felt right to bring the event back to the region.
Bryce Hall, Chairman of Athletics Auckland, is excited to bring the country’s best athletes together in Auckland for three years.
“We are thrilled to be able to host the best of New Zealand’s athletics talent at the Jennian Homes New Zealand Track & Field Championships for the next three years in Auckland. Building on all the hard work by the hosts of previous Track & Field Championships, we are excited by the challenge and opportunity to work with Athletics New Zealand to showcase the best of what Tāmaki Makaurau has to offer for athletes, officials and spectators attending the event.”
The decision to return to Auckland aligns with a stacked international calendar, providing Kiwi athletes with the perfect domestic stage to prepare for major global events. Over the next four years, New Zealand’s top track and field stars will be targeting selection for:
- 2025 World Athletics Championships (Tokyo, Japan)
2025 World Para Athletics Championships (New Delhi, India) - 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships (Torun, Poland)
2026 Commonwealth Games (Glasgow, Scotland) - 2027 World Athletics Championships (Beijing, China)
2027 World Para Athletics Championships (TBD) - 2028 Olympic & Paralympic Games (Los Angeles, USA)
With major qualification standards on the line, fans can expect New Zealand’s best athletes to bring their A-game each summer, chasing national titles and personal bests to secure their spots on the world stage.
Over the past decade, the national championships have moved between cities, allowing different regions to host New Zealand’s premier domestic athletics event. With Auckland now confirmed as the home of the championships through to 2028, this new era will bring stability, increased fan engagement, and the opportunity for the event to grow.
The three-year hosting agreement also allows Athletics New Zealand to further develop the Jennian Homes New Zealand Track & Field Championships into a must-attend event, attracting larger crowds, greater media attention, and an electric atmosphere for athletes and fans alike.
Whether you’re an athlete, coach, official, or fan, the Jennian Homes New Zealand Track & Field Championships in Auckland will be the premier domestic athletics event each summer.
Event Details
📅 Dates: March 5–8, 2026 (2027 & 2028 dates TBC)
📍 Venue: To be confirmed
🎟 Ticketing & event details: Coming soon
More information, including entries and ticketing, will be released in the coming months. For now, mark your calendars and get ready for an incredible three-year stretch of world-class athletics in Auckland.