Christchurch and Taupō to Host Repco Supercars Championship Back-to-Back in May 2027

Supercars has confirmed its return to New Zealand in 2027 with a two-city double-header featuring Christchurch and Taupō.

Schedule And Racing Details

Ruapuna Raceway in Christchurch will host the opening weekend from May 7 to 9, followed by Taupō International Motorsport Park from May 14 to 16. These dates are a month later than the 2026 events, which took place in April. The flipping of the order each year helps with moving the championship to New Zealand after the Australian Grand Prix in early April and aligns with cooler South Island weather before winter. The races are locked in to continue through at least 2028.

Attendance And Economic Impact

The 2026 events drew over 95,000 fans across five days, despite Sunday racing at Taupō being cancelled due to Cyclone Vaianu. Economic analysis showed visitors spent about $9.5 million in Christchurch and $7.9 million in Taupō, with international visitors adding another $4 million elsewhere in the country. The double-header brought in about 3,000 international visitors who spent $9.3 million and generated over 34,000 international visitor nights.

Reactions And Local Support

Supercars executive chairman and interim CEO Barclay Nettlefold stated that the debut was a resounding success and praised the positive feedback from competitors and fans. Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger noted that the event exceeded expectations and proved the city can host major international events. Taupō District Mayor John Funnell also welcomed the return, pointing to the strong tourism and economic boosts for the district. Kiwi drivers Ryan Wood and Matt Payne both picked up race wins during the New Zealand leg, with Payne leading the 2026 standings with two events remaining.

Context

Major motorsport events often generate substantial tourism revenue and international visitor nights for host cities. The Repco Supercars Championship is a premier racing series that regularly travels across Australia and expands into neighboring regions like New Zealand.