With world-class facilities and ready access thanks to our geographic location and top-notch transport links, the Waikato has increasingly become one of the most popular places to host ‘hero’ events – events that not only attract local attendance but also visitors from outside the region, both from throughout New Zealand as well as internationally.
These hero events are enjoyable, entertaining, and often make the headline news. Importantly, they also they bring economic, cultural, and social benefits to the Waikato. From dollars spent directly on the likes of accommodation, in eateries and bars, creating employment opportunities and on-flow of the visitor expenditure into our communities, to sharing the regions history and stories and creating a sense of community pride.
From December 8-12 the Special Olympics Summer Games New Zealand will be staged at various venues in Hamilton Kirikiriroa when more than 3,000 athletes, coaches and supporters are expected in the city.
Special Olympics is a global organisation giving people with intellectual disabilities opportunity to train and compete in a range of sports, representing their region at national events and their country internationally.
The multiple day event sees Special Olympics athletes from around the country compete in 11 different summer sports including athletics, football, swimming, basketball, and equestrian events at venues across the city.
It is no secret to proud mighty locals that the annual Fieldays at Mystery Creek is the southern hemisphere’s largest agricultural event.
This year’s Fieldays is being held from November 30-December 3 when ground-breaking innovations, along with shopping, competitions, demonstrations, live shows, and tasty food prepared by some of New Zealand’s top chefs will tempt and entertain visitors.
New Zealand’s biggest sporting party returns to Hamilton’s FMG Stadium Waikato, the spiritual home of rugby in the region, when the HSBC New Zealand Sevens takes place on January 21-22.
Full men’s and women’s tournaments will play out across two fields at the stadium with special zones dedicated to festival, party and family activities.
Set to be the largest women’s sporting event in the world ever, the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 is being hosted next July in various cities in New Zealand and Australia, including in Hamilton Kirikiriroa.
Being selected as one of the World Cup host cities is a major feather in the cap for the Waikato community as a whole.
Hamilton has also been confirmed as one of the cities to stage a number of play-off games with the result that in February 10 top women’s football teams from across the globe will take to Waikato Stadium to compete for the final three qualifying spots in the cup.
As part of the fun and games, the Football Ferns, who have already qualified, will also play a series of friendly matches with these teams.
To stay up to date with events, hero or otherwise, that are happening in the Waikato and find out about the latest things to see and do in the region, sign up for Hamilton & Waikato Tourism’s free quarterly newsletter.
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