Saturday, 17 January, will be a massive day of sport in Tauranga, with two events drawing thousands to the city.

By day, Mount Maunganui hosts the Fulton Hogan Mount Festival of Multisport, and by night, T20 cricket will light up Bay Oval with the return of Hot Spring Spas T20 Black Clash in association with Wolfbrook.

Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale enthuses, “It’s fantastic to see Tauranga come alive this weekend with these two thrilling sporting events. We are excited to welcome the many visitors coming here, whether they are here to compete, or to spectate and support their loved ones.

“Events like these not only create an incredible atmosphere but also deliver real benefits for our local economy.”

In 2025, Fulton Hogan Mount Festival of Multisport delivered a major boost for Tauranga generating more than 5,000 visitor nights and close to $1 million in visitor spend across the city.

The action kicks off early on Saturday morning with the Fulton Hogan Mount Festival of Multisport, featuring the Loan Market Oceanside Tauranga Half Ironman, Waitoa Mount Festival Half Marathon and iLine Construction AquaBike events across Mount Maunganui and Pāpāmoa.

The Tauranga Half has been part of the Mount Maunganui summer since 1990, making it one of New Zealand’s longest running triathlons. Its cycle leg includes two laps of the Tauranga Eastern Link, making up its 90km length.

Lauren Watson, Festival Director at SMC Events, says the course adds to its appeal for both participants and spectators.

“The Festival is known for its scenic courses, electric atmosphere, and its reputation as one of New Zealand’s most inspiring endurance weekends.”

“This year's line-up features Olympians and multi-sport world champions, including Hannah Berry, Nicole Van Der Kaay, Sam Harvey, Jack Moody and Sam Osbourne. We have an incredibly strong international field with amazing depth. It’s going to be a showdown on an incredibly flat, fast course, you won’t want to miss it!”

The best place to watch the event is along The Mall, Marine Parade and Oceanbeach Road in Mount Maunganui.

The sporting action continues into the evening with the Hot Spring Spas T20 Black Clash in association with Wolfbrook at Bay Oval, as Team Rugby takes on Team Cricket in a fun, fast-paced clash featuring some of New Zealand’s biggest sporting names.

Team Cricket, includes cricket stars Jesse Ryder, Neil Wagner, Grant Elliot and Adam Parore, while Team Rugby, led by Kieran Read, will feature Jordie Barrett, Andy Ellis, Colin Slade, and Joey Wheeler.

Now in its eighth year, the T20 Black Clash has become a must-see summer spectacle. It was a ratings hit once again for TVNZ, with over a million Kiwis tuning in across TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+ to watch the action.

On the scoreboard, Team Cricket leads with five wins to Team Rugby’s two, with every match going down to the final over, delivering an electric atmosphere and fan-friendly entertainment.

It’s the ultimate summer experience and adds to what is shaping up to be one of the city's busiest sporting days of the season.

Event details – Saturday, 17 January 2026

Fulton Hogan Mount Festival of Multisport
Events begin from 6.35am

Hot Spring Spas T20 Black Clash – Bay Oval 
Gates open at 5pm | First innings at 6.30pm

Event road closures for Mount Festival of Multisport:

Several road closures will be in place across Mount Maunganui and Pāpāmoa. The Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TEL) eastbound closure is expected to cause significant disruption during the cycle leg of the event. Please ensure you plan ahead or consider using alternative routes where possible.

Key closures include:

• Salisbury Avenue (up to Victoria Road), Salisbury Wharf Carpark, and The Mall (from Prince Avenue to Salisbury Avenue) closed from 6am Friday, 16 January to 9pm, Saturday, 17 January.
• The Mall , Adams Avenue, Marine Parade, and the Pilot Bay Boat Ramp closed from 4.30am to 5pm, Saturday, 17 January.
• Oceanbeach Road, Yale Street, Omanu Way, Maranui Street, Pāpāmoa Beach Road (up to Parton Road) will be closed from 4.30am to 1pm on Saturday, 17 January.
• A lane closure on Parton Road (from Papamoa Beach Road to Tara Road) closed from 5.30am to 1pm on Saturday, 17 January.
• The Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TEL) eastbound lanes between Domain Road and Paengaroa roundabout will be closed for the cycle leg of the event from 5.30am to 1pm on Saturday, 17 January. The alternative route for people driving eastbound during this time will be via Te Puke Highway. Westbound lanes will remain open under usual operation. 
   

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