Race Of Champions will make its New Zealand debut in 2027, with Wellington confirmed to host the event at Hnry Stadium on 9–10 January.
Sebastian Vettel, Valtteri Bottas, Chaz Mostert and Hayden Paddon are among the first drivers confirmed for the two-day event, which will place competitors from different disciplines head-to-head in identical machinery on a purpose-built tarmac circuit inside the stadium.
It will be the first Race Of Champions held in New Zealand and adds one of international motorsport’s most distinctive formats to Wellington’s 2027 summer calendar.
Vettel and Bottas Lead First Confirmed Driver Line-Up
Four-time Formula 1 World Champion Vettel will return to Race Of Champions after previously winning the individual Champion of Champions title in 2015 and seven ROC Nations Cup titles.
The German will be joined by 10-time Formula 1 Grand Prix winner Bottas, who is set to race for the Cadillac Formula 1 Team.
Mostert also returns after finishing runner-up at ROC Sydney in 2025. The Australian arrives as the 2025 Supercars champion, while Paddon gives the field a significant home presence as a seven-time New Zealand Rally Champion and 2026 Rally Paraguay runner-up.
Further drivers are due to be announced before January.
Race Of Champions has traditionally brought together competitors from Formula 1, rallying, touring cars, endurance racing and other disciplines. Previous participants include Fernando Alonso, Lando Norris, Valentino Rossi, Sébastien Loeb, Mika Häkkinen, David Coulthard and Michael and Mick Schumacher.
Hnry Stadium to Be Converted Into Tarmac Race Circuit
For the Wellington edition, Hnry Stadium will be transformed into a temporary motorsport venue with a purpose-built tarmac circuit laid inside the stadium.
As with previous Race Of Champions events, drivers will compete in identical cars, removing the machinery advantage normally associated with different categories and placing greater emphasis on adaptation and outright driving performance.
The compact stadium format also allows spectators to follow the full course from their seats, one of the characteristics that has helped distinguish ROC from conventional circuit racing.
The Wellington event will continue that format across two days of competition.
New Zealand Adds ROC to Growing Motorsport Presence
The announcement comes during a particularly strong period for New Zealand motorsport, with Kiwi drivers competing prominently across several international categories.
Paddon described the arrival of ROC as a fitting moment for the country, noting the opportunity for local spectators to see drivers from Formula 1, the WRC and circuit racing compete directly against one another in equal equipment.
Race Of Champions President and Co-Founder Fredrik Johnsson also pointed to New Zealand’s established motorsport culture as one of the attractions behind bringing the event to Wellington for the first time.
Vettel had previously visited New Zealand around the time of ROC Sydney and said he had encouraged organisers to consider bringing a future edition across the Tasman.
That suggestion will now become reality in January.
Government and Wellington Partners Back Event
The event is supported by the New Zealand Government through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, with WellingtonNZ also involved alongside Hnry Stadium and promoter TEG Sport.
Its position in early January places ROC in the middle of the New Zealand summer and forms part of Wellington’s wider major-events programme.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said the event is expected to attract motorsport fans from across New Zealand as well as international visitors.
For Hnry Stadium, the transformation of its playing surface into a complete tarmac circuit will also represent one of the venue’s more unusual conversions.
Stadium representatives said hosting ROC would demonstrate the venue’s ability to stage major international events beyond its traditional sporting programme.
Race Of Champions Wellington Ticket Details
General admission will be divided across Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Start/Finish Line categories.
Single-day tickets will start from NZ$49, with weekend passes available from NZ$74.
Hospitality options will include The Pavilion, Champions Lounge and an All Access package featuring paddock access and driver Q&A sessions.
Pre-sale access opens on 21 September, followed by the general ticket sale on 22 September through Ticketek New Zealand.
With Vettel, Bottas, Mostert and Paddon already confirmed, Wellington has secured a strong opening line-up for its first Race Of Champions.
The competitive format remains simple: drivers from very different careers, the same machinery beneath them and a short circuit that leaves little room to disguise mistakes. In January 2027, New Zealand will host that contest for the first time.
