Balloons floated over the city, runners filled the streets and international competition arrived in Hamilton as Council supported events lit up the calendar throughout 2025–26.

Eleven major events were delivered across the city this year through Hamilton City Council’s Major Event Sponsorship Fund, including a mix of multiyear and singleyear sponsorships.

The fund is designed to support events that increase city exposure and promotion, deliver economic benefits, and build a sense of pride among residents.

Deputy Mayor Geoff Taylor, chair of the Major Events Subcommittee, said the programme is full of exciting events delivering benefits for both the city and its residents.

“These events bring energy and activity into Hamilton, attract visitors who might not otherwise be here, and help showcase what the city has to offer,” said Taylor.

“When we talk about the economic benefits of major events, domestic visitors bring around $150–$250 per night; international visitors approximately $280 per day; and business events are the highest at around $400 per day. There’s a huge multiplying effect there, and it’s exciting to see major events like Equifest, which is even bigger than Homegrown, coming to Hamilton too.”

At the 12 May Major Events Subcommittee meeting, a new list of events was approved for sponsorship in 2026/27, including several new multiyear grants to give event organisers more certainty and reduce annual paperwork.

Oneyear funding was granted to the Endangered Species National Hui ($4000), COW Art + Design Week ($15,000), Atalanta Jamboree – Ladies Badminton Championship ($5000) and the NZ CrossFit Championship ($10,000).

Twoyear sponsorship agreements were approved for the World Tennis Tour Hamilton ($20,000 per year) and REVCON ($15,000 per year).

Threeyear agreements were awarded to Equifest ($50,000 per year) and Bridge to Bridge ($8000 per year).

Major events supported through the fund this year included a wide mix of sporting, cultural and community events, involving more than 68,000 attendees, participants and supporters – not including the Balloons Over Waikato event.

Multiyear sponsored events included the Round the Bridges Classic, Hamilton Arts Festival Toi Ora ki Kirikiriroa, Z Manu World Champs, Balloons Over Waikato, the Porritt Classic, Hamilton Brick Show, and the Cambridge to Hamilton Paddle Race.

Events delivered in the past year with a oneyear agreement included the NZ Secondary Schools Swimming Championships, World Tennis Tour, Champion of Champions men’s pairs bowling, and the Waikato Regional Theatre Opening Events.

More information about the fund is available at: hamilton.govt.nz/community-support-and-funding/funding/major-event-sponsorship-fund/.

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