New Zealand’s capital city Wellington will host global motorsport royalty when the Race Of Champions revs up at Hnry Stadium next year.
It will be the high-octane event’s first-ever appearance in New Zealand, and a blockbuster addition to the country’s summer events calendar.
The Race Of Champions in Wellington will bring some of motorsport’s biggest names to Hnry Stadium on 9–10 January 2027.
Four-time Formula 1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel, 2025 Supercars Champion and ROC Sydney 2025 runner-up Chaz Mostert, 10-time Formula 1 race winner Valtteri Bottas and New Zealand rally star Hayden Paddon are among those set to take to the track, with many more star drivers to be announced in the lead-up to the event.
The 34,500-capacity Hnry Stadium (formerly Sky Stadium) is a major sporting venue in Wellington, New Zealand. It was built in 1999 and is situated close to the major transport facilities one kilometer North of the central business district (CBD). It is currently named after one of the country’s largest accounting services firms.
Fredrik Johnsson, President & Co-Founder, Race Of Champions, said, “We are very excited to bring the Race Of Champions to Wellington and New Zealand for the first time. This is one of the most beautiful places on earth and there is so much passion for motorsport and so many talented drivers here.
“It will be fascinating to see the Kiwi stars compete against some of the international superstars from F1, World Rally and more in front of their home fans.”
In a first for Wellington, the drivers will go head-to-head on a purpose-built tarmac circuit inside Hnry Stadium, in identical competition cars — so only driver skill determines the winner.
Past ROC competitors have included Lando Norris, Valentino Rossi, Fernando Alonso, David Coulthard, Mika Häkkinen, Sébastien Loeb, and both Michael and Mick Schumacher, with Wellington set to welcome its own world-class field this January.
The event is backed by the New Zealand Government through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), reflecting its significance as a drawcard for domestic and international visitors during the height of the New Zealand summer.
WellingtonNZ has partnered with the event and Hnry Stadium to deliver ROC as a centrepiece of the region’s summer events programme.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston, said, “Race Of Champions is set to turn up the heat on Wellington’s summer events calendar. Seeing some of the world’s best drivers battle it out at Hnry Stadium will be a thrilling spectacle.
“This one-off event will draw motorsport enthusiasts from across New Zealand and reinforce Wellington’s reputation for hosting unforgettable major events.”
“Kiwis need to see this live. It’s pure entertainment, right from your seat: a race track in a stadium. We can’t wait to bring some of the biggest names in world motorsport to Wellington and give summer 2027 a moment nobody’s had here before.” Rachael Carroll, TEG Sport
Warrick Dent, Chief Executive, Hnry Stadium, added, “Race Of Champions is a huge moment for us here at Hnry Stadium. As a truly multi-purpose venue we have an enviable track record of hosting a wide variety of incredible events – Race Of Champions takes that to a whole new level.
“Transforming our beloved turf into a full tarmac race circuit, hosting some of the biggest names in world motorsport for two days, will show exactly what this venue is capable of and put Wellington front of mind for major international events.
“We can’t wait to welcome Sebastian, Valtteri, Chaz, Hayden and the rest to the drivers, and give motor sport fans from across New Zealand a summer event unlike anything they’ve seen before.”
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