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New Zealand's oldest sporting event, the Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta, will return on Monday, 26 January 2026 with organisers promising a refreshed format and some exciting additions to mark its 186th year.
The iconic regatta will again feature a wide range of fleets, including keelboats, dinghies, foiling craft and classic yachts, as well as heritage launches, working tugboats and paddle craft. Racing will take place across the Waitematā Harbour and Hauraki Gulf in a full day celebrating Auckland's maritime heritage.
Two new features will debut in 2026. The sail past parade will see yachts, launches and tugboats process from the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron to North Head in a spectacular on-water display for spectators. Later, the regatta’s first-ever after party will be hosted at the Squadron, with racing crews, families and supporters invited to enjoy live music from the Royal New Zealand Navy Band.
"This event has always been about more than just racing - it's about celebrating Auckland's maritime culture," said Regatta Chairperson Bill Lomas. "The new sail past and after party give sailors and spectators fresh reasons to be part of the occasion."
Open to everything from cutting-edge foiling skiffs to century-old classics, the Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta continues to stand as one of the most diverse and historic events on the international sailing calendar.
