Mark it in your calendar, Auckland is set for a sporting spectacular like no other when the city plays host to four major sporting events all on one weekend.
From Friday, 6th March through to Sunday, 8th March, the One New Zealand Warriors, the Blues, Auckland FC and Auckland Thoroughbred Racing will all be opening their gates to thousands of fans keen to enjoy a complete weekend of live sport.
Dubbed ‘Footy, Fillies & Fans’ and supported by Auckland Council Events, the weekend will be a showcase of the best in Rugby League, Rugby Union, Racing and Football, across one glorious Auckland Weekend.
Forget choosing between games or races, they run back-to-back across the weekend as follows:
| Date | Start Time | Location | Fixture |
| Friday, 6th March | 8:00pm | Go Media Stadium | Warriors v Sydney Roosters |
| Saturday, 7th March | 11:00am | Ellerslie Racecourse | Champions Day |
| Saturday, 7th March | 7:05pm | Eden Park | Blues v Crusaders |
| Sunday, 8th March | 3:00pm | Go Media Stadium | AFC v Perth Glory |
What makes this weekend even better is that dedicated fans can experience them all thanks to the creation of a special one-off ticket, giving them access to all four occasions.
For $100, fans can get a ticket to each sporting event, but numbers are limited with just 100 tickets available – a challenge the codes are hoping fans embrace.
Best of all, there are no dead rubbers. Each game, each race means something. The Warriors will be opening their NRL season with a home game against the Roosters. They will want to set a benchmark early and get off to a positive start.
The Blues will be out for revenge against the Crusaders, who beat them in last season’s Super Rugby Semi-final. Auckland Thoroughbred Racing turns it on for Champions Day, its biggest race meeting of the season, featuring The NZB Kiwi – New Zealand’s richest race, worth $4 million in prizemoney
The three footy clubs are official partners of The NZB Kiwi Golden Ticket campaign and ‘The People’s Horse’, giving fans the chance to win thousands in cash* and be in to win a Golden Ticket – securing a VIP share in the ownership group contesting the $4 million NZB Kiwi on Champions Day. *Terms & Conditions apply.
Rounding out the weekend, Auckland FC face Perth Glory at the business end of their season, battling it out at the top of the table and hoping to close out another impressive Premiership win.
For tickets and info, visit Footyfilles.co.nz.
Auckland Council Events
Auckland Council Events is supporting the weekend with an advertising campaign encouraging attendance, targeting a domestic audience as well as sporting hubs in Australia, such as Melbourne and Brisbane.
Mayor Wayne Brown says major events are one of the most powerful ways to showcase Auckland.
“Footy, Fillies & Fans is a brilliant example of what happens when our leading sporting codes work together to create a true destination moment. It gives fans every reason to travel, stay the weekend, and turn their trip into a full Auckland experience.
“A packed sporting calendar like this lifts Auckland’s profile across New Zealand and Australia, showcases our city internationally, and delivers real benefits for local hospitality, tourism and business.”
Nick Becker, Auckland FC CEO
Nick Becker, Auckland FC CEO says the weekend will be a great occasion for fans to get out in Auckland and enjoy the atmosphere of live sport.
“This could well be the best sporting weekend of the year, so whether you’re from Auckland or thinking of paying a visit, this is your sign to get out and enjoy a unique weekend of sporting entertainment,” says Becker.
“This is great for Auckland and the people of the city; it shows the life and ambition this city has and what we can together achieve. It is unique occasion. Every game, every race, every moment matters and now is a chance to get out and see it.
“Collectively there is more than 80,000 tickets available for these combined events and we’re grateful for Auckland Council Events for rallying behind the clubs and supporting it.”
Karl Budge, Auckland Blues CEO
“This is what Auckland sports should look like. Big occasions, full venues and a city coming together.
We’re proud to be working alongside our friends at the Warriors, Auckland FC, Auckland Council Events and Auckland Racing Club to create Auckland’s biggest weekend.
“Nothing beats the energy of being there in person, and for us, a Blues Crusaders clash is as big as it gets and is exactly what this weekend is about. This is the kind of weekend we want Auckland to own – loud, passionate and unforgettable.”
Cameron George, One NZ Warriors CEO
“As sporting weekends go, they don’t come better than this,” said One New Zealand Warriors CEO Cameron George.
“How good is it having the chance to attend four huge live sporting events in less than 48 hours? If you’re a true sporting fan you won’t want to miss out.
“It all starts with the One New Zealand Warriors at Go Media Stadium against one of the title favourites, the Sydney Roosters.
“On the back of selling out 30 of our last 36 games in New Zealand, we’ve experienced unprecedented demand for tickets ahead of the 2026 season and can’t wait to see our home packed out to kick off this magic sporting weekend.”
Paul Wilcox, Auckland Thoroughbred Racing CEO
“This is a genuinely special moment for Auckland sport. To have rugby league, rugby, football and our biggest raceday of the year all coming together in one weekend shows the scale, energy, and ambition of this city.
“Champions Day is the pinnacle of our season and pairing it with three blockbuster fixtures creates an unbeatable proposition for fans. Footy, Fillies & Fans is about collaboration, not competition, bringing codes together to celebrate live sport, shared audiences, and an unforgettable Auckland weekend.”
“If you’re a footy fan who’s never been to the races, Champions Day is the perfect place to start. It’s loud, fast and social – just like a big game day – with world-class athletes, huge prize money and an electric crowd. You don’t need to know about racing to have a great time; you come for the atmosphere, the mates, the colour, and the moments. It’s sport, entertainment, and a great day out all rolled into one.”
