Published on
January 26, 2026
United States, Australia, United Kingdom and Japan are turning their attention to New Zealand as Raglan prepares to host a landmark stop on the 2026 World Surf League Championship Tour, an announcement that is already reshaping global travel plans and industry forecasts. Scheduled for May 2026, the elite surfing event marks the first time New Zealand will stage a combined men’s and women’s Championship Tour competition, instantly elevating the country’s profile across international sport, tourism and aviation. For airlines connecting North America, Europe, Asia and the Pacific to Auckland and the Waikato, the timing aligns with a period of strong long-haul recovery and growing demand for experience-led travel. For hotels, restaurants and regional hospitality operators, it signals an influx of high-value visitors arriving outside the traditional summer peak, a window widely recognised for delivering greater economic impact. Raglan, long celebrated for its world-class left-hand point break and creative coastal culture, is now set to be broadcast to millions of viewers worldwide, transforming a surf town into a global travel talking point. As international arrivals to New Zealand continue to climb and visitor spending rebounds, the convergence of a major sporting event, expanding airline connectivity and a destination known for authenticity rather than mass tourism is creating a rare moment of momentum—one that is drawing travellers, investors and industry leaders from four of New Zealand’s most important visitor markets toward a single stretch of Waikato coastline.
United States, Australia, United Kingdom and Japan Eye New Zealand:
New Zealand is preparing for a surge of international travellers as Raglan, the laid-back surf town on the edge of the Waikato, gets ready to host a landmark stop on the World Surf League Championship Tour in May 2026. The announcement has sent ripples far beyond the surf community. Airlines are adjusting capacity forecasts. Hotels are locking in inventory strategies. Tourism operators are mapping itineraries that blend elite sport with slow travel. For visitors from the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom and Japan, Raglan is fast becoming the next must-visit destination in the Pacific.
This will be the first time New Zealand hosts a combined Men’s and Women’s Championship Tour event, placing the country firmly on the global sporting calendar while delivering a tangible economic boost to regional tourism and hospitality. For travellers, it offers something rarer: world-class sport set against a destination that still feels intimate, creative and deeply connected to nature.
United States, Australia, United Kingdom and Japan Eye New Zealand: A New Travel Moment Takes Shape
International travel to New Zealand has returned strongly, with visitor numbers and tourism spending approaching pre-pandemic patterns. The United States is now one of New Zealand’s highest-spending visitor markets, with American travellers recording the highest average daily spend among all international arrivals. Australia remains the country’s largest source of visitors by volume, while the United Kingdom and Japan continue to deliver steady, high-value travellers with strong cultural ties to Aotearoa.
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Against this backdrop, the decision to stage a Championship Tour event in Raglan is strategically timed. Held from 15 to 25 May 2026, the event sits just outside New Zealand’s summer peak. That timing encourages longer stays, spreads visitor flows across regions and supports businesses during the shoulder season, when international arrivals deliver the greatest economic value.
For travellers, May offers cooler temperatures, fewer crowds and dramatic coastal conditions that make watching elite surfing even more compelling. Raglan’s iconic left-hand point break at Manu Bay is regarded as one of the best in the world, and its inclusion on the Championship Tour elevates the town’s global profile overnight.
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United States, Australia, United Kingdom and Japan Eye New Zealand: Airlines Position for Demand
Airlines are central to this story. Long-haul connectivity is the gateway to Raglan’s global moment, and major carriers are well placed to benefit from the surge in interest around the 2026 event.
Delta Air Lines and United Airlines both operate services into Auckland, either directly or via partner networks, linking New Zealand to major hubs across the United States. These routes cater to a market known for longer stays and higher per-day spending, particularly when travel is tied to premium experiences such as international sporting events.
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Air New Zealand remains the backbone of international and domestic connectivity. The carrier transports a significant share of New Zealand’s international visitors and plays a crucial role in regional dispersal, connecting Auckland to Hamilton and other domestic gateways that place Raglan within easy reach.
From Australia, trans-Tasman capacity continues to expand. Qantas and its low-cost subsidiary Jetstar, along with Air New Zealand, offer frequent services that make Raglan an easy short-break destination for Australian surf fans and lifestyle travellers.
For visitors from Japan, airlines such as All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines connect Tokyo with Auckland, tapping into a market that values safety, scenery and unique cultural experiences. The global broadcast of the Championship Tour event is expected to amplify awareness of Raglan across Asia, converting viewers into future travellers.
Flying In: How to Reach Raglan with Ease
Most international visitors will arrive via Auckland Airport, New Zealand’s largest international gateway. From there, Raglan is approximately a two-hour drive south, making it an easy addition to a North Island itinerary.
Hamilton Airport offers an alternative entry point for domestic travellers and some trans-Tasman services. From Hamilton, Raglan is less than an hour by road. Rental car availability in both Auckland and Hamilton is strong, and the drive itself is scenic, passing through rolling farmland and small towns that hint at the region’s rural charm.
For travellers who prefer not to drive, coach services and private transfers link Auckland and Hamilton with Raglan, particularly during peak event periods when demand is highest. Airlines and tourism operators often coordinate schedules during major events, improving onward connectivity for international arrivals.
Hospitality Steps Into the Spotlight
The hospitality sector stands to gain significantly from the Championship Tour stop. Accommodation, food and beverage, and experiential tourism are all expected to see uplift, not only during the event window but in the months that follow as global exposure translates into sustained interest.
Hilton operates several properties in Auckland and the wider Waikato region, positioning itself to capture premium travellers who combine city stays with regional exploration. International brands are complemented by a strong network of boutique lodges, eco-retreats and holiday homes in and around Raglan, catering to visitors seeking authenticity over uniformity.
Raglan’s accommodation scene is diverse. Travellers can choose from beachfront lodges, architect-designed cabins, surf hostels and luxury farm stays. Many properties emphasise sustainability, reflecting the town’s eco-conscious ethos and appealing to travellers who prioritise low-impact tourism.
Restaurants, cafés and bars are equally central to the visitor experience. Raglan is known for its creative food culture, with menus that celebrate local produce, fresh seafood and globally inspired flavours. For hospitality operators, the event provides an opportunity to showcase regional identity to an international audience.
Beyond the Event: Why Travellers Stay Longer
While the World Surf League event is the initial draw, Raglan’s broader appeal encourages longer stays. This is where tourism value multiplies.
The town sits within the Waikato region, an area rich in natural attractions and cultural experiences. Travellers often pair Raglan with visits to glowworm caves, geothermal landscapes and lake districts, building multi-day itineraries that spread spending across communities.
Surf culture is woven into everyday life in Raglan. Even visitors who have never picked up a board are drawn to the rhythm of the tides, the cliff-top walks and the sunsets that have become synonymous with the town. Yoga studios, art galleries and weekend markets offer slower-paced alternatives between competition heats.
For international visitors, this blend of high-energy sport and restorative travel is particularly appealing. It aligns with global trends toward experiential tourism, where travellers seek moments that feel personal, meaningful and shareable.
A Boost for Regional Tourism
From a tourism development perspective, hosting a Championship Tour event in Raglan supports New Zealand’s broader goal of regional dispersal. Rather than concentrating visitors in major cities, the event draws international attention to a smaller destination with the capacity to deliver high-quality experiences.
This model benefits both travellers and hosts. Visitors encounter a less crowded, more intimate version of New Zealand. Local businesses gain exposure that can sustain demand well beyond the event itself.
The global broadcast of the competition showcases Raglan’s coastline to millions of viewers worldwide. For tourism marketers, that exposure is invaluable. It positions New Zealand not only as a country of dramatic landscapes but as a destination capable of hosting world-class events in harmony with its environment.
Practical Travel Tips for 2026 Visitors
Travellers planning a trip around the 2026 Championship Tour event should consider booking flights and accommodation well in advance. May is a popular month for international visitors who prefer cooler weather and fewer crowds, and availability in Raglan is limited.
Weather in May is mild, with cooler mornings and evenings. Layered clothing is recommended, along with waterproof jackets for coastal conditions. Even spectators should prepare for variable weather, as surf competitions run according to ocean conditions rather than fixed schedules.
Visitors entering New Zealand must complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration before arrival and, in most cases, pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy. These requirements are standard for international travel to New Zealand and help fund conservation and tourism infrastructure.
Driving in New Zealand is straightforward for experienced drivers, but visitors should familiarise themselves with left-hand driving rules and allow extra time for rural roads. Public transport options are limited in Raglan, making car hire the most flexible option for exploring the region.
Airlines, Hotels and the Long-Term View
For airlines and hospitality brands, the Raglan Championship Tour stop is not just a one-off event. It represents a longer-term opportunity to align with New Zealand’s evolving tourism narrative.
Airlines benefit from increased load factors and premium demand during the event window, but also from the sustained interest generated by global media coverage. Hotels and accommodation providers gain exposure that can translate into repeat visitation and off-season bookings.
For New Zealand, the event reinforces its reputation as a destination that delivers both spectacle and substance. It shows that major international events can be hosted in a way that supports regional economies, respects local culture and enhances the visitor experience.
A Destination on the Rise
As the countdown to May 2026 begins, Raglan is preparing for a moment that will redefine its place on the world map. For travellers from the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom and Japan, the appeal is clear. Elite sport. Easy access. Authentic hospitality. And a destination that still feels refreshingly real.
For airlines, hotels and tourism operators, the message is equally strong. Raglan’s Championship Tour debut is more than a surf competition. It is a catalyst for travel, a driver of economic growth and a reminder that some of the world’s most compelling destinations are found where natural beauty and human creativity meet.
By the time the first competitors paddle out at Manu Bay, Raglan will already have achieved something remarkable. It will have turned a global sporting event into an invitation, welcoming the world to experience New Zealand beyond the usual routes, one wave at a time.
