In what has been described as a significant coup for New Zealand, Tauranga will be the host city of the 2028 World Triathlon Championship Finals in a three-year partnership with World Triathlon.

Tauranga is on the east coast of the north island in New Zealand, relatively close to the country’s most populous city of Auckland.

It sets up a potentially momentous year for New Zealand’s highest-profile athlete Hayden Wilde who will first look to upgrade his silver medal from last year’s Paris Olympics and then double up with a world title – just as his great rival Alex Yee did in 2024.

He posted on Instagram: “Awesome work @triathlonnz for getting this one over the line.”

Three-year partnership

The WTCS Finals will culminate in the elite World Triathlon Championship Final, with the Age Group World Championships, Para triathlon World Championships, and World Triathlon Congress also coming to the heart of Bay of Plenty in November 2028.

Triathlon New Zealand made the announcement in Tauranga on Wednesday 6th August, alongside event partners the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), Tauranga City Council (TCC), and World Triathlon.

The three-year partnership sees Tauranga host a World Triathlon Cup in 2026 and a World Triathlon Championship Series race in 2027 before the 2028 showpiece.

Back to NZ after 16 years

Triathlon New Zealand CEO and World Triathlon Executive Board Director Pete de Wet said. “Today is a momentous day for Triathlon in New Zealand. After an absence of 16 years, the World Triathlon Championship Series Final will be returning to our shores in 2028, and we couldn’t be prouder. Triathlon has such a rich heritage in Aotearoa New Zealand, and we are excited to be adding to that history over the next three years.

“Our Age Group athletes are loved around the world for their unique Kiwiana approach, and I am so pleased for all those that are dedicated to attending World Championship events around the world, that they will finally have the chance to do this at home, in Tauranga, in 2028.

“And for our Elite Athletes, who campaign for so much of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, the chance to race at home, in front of their family, friends and fellow New Zealanders will be truly special!

“My sincere gratitude to New Zealand Major Events and Tauranga City Council for having the foresight and belief to support our bid host these events, to World Triathlon for having the faith in our ability to host, and to Shanelle Barrett and SB Events as our delivery partner for their incredible contribution these past three years and for the work yet to come as we bring this to life.

“My wish is that all New Zealanders, regardless of ability, get involved in triathlon over the next few years, and when the time comes, welcome the world to our shores, with open arms.”

‘The big party’

World Triathlon President Antonio Arimany is excited at the prospect of triathlon’s biggest event returning to a country with a rich and proud heritage in the sport, having previously hosted the pinnacle event in the sport in Queenstown in 2003 and Auckland in 2012.

He said: “We all know that New Zealand, Tauranga, is a place of travel, we are very happy that we will all be able to celebrate the big party of triathlon in New Zealand.”

“After Auckland many years ago, we are coming back to New Zealand to celebrate our biggest event.”

Precise dates and details of each event will be revealed in the weeks and months ahead.