The Classic by HoopNation
Starting Friday and running across the whole weekend, Tauranga will host New Zealand's biggest basketball event – The Classic. HoopNation co-founder Paul Berridge says while its roots began in Whanganui in 2011, The Classic has called Tauranga home for over ten years.
“It’s grown with the city. This year, 317 teams are coming from all over New Zealand and Australia, and every one of them is spending the long weekend here."
This marks a 55% increase from last year’s 204 teams, with nearly 3,000 registered players taking part. 13 teams are coming from Australia playing across 14U, 16U, and 18U categories, double the entire overseas field from last year.
The draw is simple; The Classic offers a level of competition and scale they can’t find at home this time of year.
"Everyone is here, national age-group selectors, NBL coaches, the country’s best clubs and schools. Players know that a big weekend at The Classic gets you noticed, and the games are played that way. More than 40 HoopNation players are now playing in the United States. But it’s not only about the elite. The Classic is a whānau event, that culture is what makes people come back every year," says Paul Berridge.
HoopNation co-founder, KJ Allen encourages the local community to come and be part of it.
"It’s on your doorstep, it’s free, and it’s the best basketball you’ll see all year. Walk into Mercury Baypark and you'll see 12-year-olds playing their first big tournament on one court and the country’s best senior players on the next. Sunday night’s dunk and three-point contests are worth the trip alone."
Tauranga Arts Festival
Tāne Rore, critically acclaimed bilingual theatre work will be performed at Tauranga Arts Festival. Photo supplied.
Alongside sport, there’s plenty to feed your cultural appetite when the 2026 Tauranga Arts Festival opens with a bang on Thursday, 22 October, just ahead of the long weekend. The opening event, Wonderstruck, will certainly make some noise, bringing together 100 children on marimbas, xylophones and buckets for a lively musical performance.
Festival Director Megan Brown is counting down the days and is grateful for the way our community continues to embrace arts experiences in Tauranga. Over 5,000 people attended 21 free events last year.
“This year marks our first annual festival, and we’ve been blown away by the support of our dedicated audiences - five performances are already sold out, with many close behind. It’s a powerful reminder of how deeply the arts matter in our community.”
Ngā Hau o Rēhia Baycourt Theatre will be a central hub for the Festival, hosting a diverse line-up of award-winning New Zealand productions and international performances that local audiences would otherwise need to travel to experience.
There are also free events, and the newly opened He Puna Manawa, Tauranga Library and Community Hub will host the Festival's Escape Literary Programme the following weekend.
Both The Classic and Tauranga Arts Festival receive funding through Tauranga City Council’s event funds, helping attract visitors to the city, generate economic benefits and showcase what makes Tauranga unique.
Mayor Mahé Drysdale says these fantastic events are exactly what the funds are designed to support, helping make Tauranga the place to be this Labour Weekend.
“We’re proud to back these events and it’s awesome to see them continuing to grow in popularity. Locals look forward to them, they bring visitors to Tauranga, create a great atmosphere across the city, and provide a welcome boost for local businesses.”
Megan Brown says the Tauranga Arts Festival’s move to being an annual event is a testament to this support. “Our sincere thanks go to our funders, patrons and sponsors who have helped make this milestone possible.”
Labour Weekend highlights:
HoopNation Classic Tauranga
Mercury Baypark + other venues – Friday, 23 to Monday, 26 October
Tauranga Arts Festival
Ngā Hau o Rēhia Baycourt Theatre + other venues – Thursday, 22 October to Sunday, 1 November
Tauranga Fringe Fest 2026
The Historic Village - Saturday, 24 October
Part of the Tauranga Arts Festival, the Tauranga Fringe promises a day of art, music, activations, food and drink.
Baypark Speedway - Bay Opening Extravaganza
Mercury Baypark Stadium - Saturday, 24 October
Baypark Speedway roars into the 2026–27 season with the massive Bay Opening Extravaganza.
Sun-Sea-Speed
Coronation Park – Saturday, 24 October
To help celebrate the opening night of Baypark Speedway the top drivers are parking up at Coronation Park to show off their cars.
Elektrophoria
Tauranga Waterfront – Sunday, 25 October 2026
An outdoor boutique electronic music festival in the heart of Tauranga.
Play Week Aotearoa 2026
All over Tauranga - Monday, 19 to Sunday 25 October
Play Week is celebrated across Tauranga, with a range of fun, family-friendly activities - many free.
For all events happening in Tauranga head to whatsontauranga.co.nz