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The DriveAgent NewsroomTuesday, 22 September 2026
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Race of Champions confirms first New Zealand event in Wellington

Race of Champions has confirmed its first New Zealand event for Wellington in January 2027, with Sebastian Vettel, Valtteri Bottas, Chaz Mostert and Hayden Paddon among the first drivers named.

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Concept illustration for: Race of Champions confirms first New Zealand event in Wellington
AI-generated editorial illustration inspired by this story. Vehicles, people and settings are illustrative, not a depiction of the reported event. DriveAgent · AI illustration · AI-generated editorial illustrationRace Of Champions (ROC) | Official Site of the Global ...Race of Champions announces first New Zealand event with Vettel ...F1 world champion among drivers for Race Of Champions’ first New Zealand event

Verified event

Race of Champions has confirmed ROC New Zealand 2027, the first Race of Champions event in New Zealand, for Hnry Stadium in Wellington on Saturday 9 January and Sunday 10 January 2027. Official ROC and WellingtonNZ material align on the venue and dates, and the event is being presented as the region’s next major ROC staging after Sydney 2025. 17811

The first confirmed drivers named so far are Sebastian Vettel, Valtteri Bottas, Chaz Mostert and Hayden Paddon. ROC’s New Zealand event page also sets out the usual Nations Cup on Saturday and the individual Race of Champions on Sunday. 23811

Why it matters

For Australian readers, the main relevance is regional rather than domestic. This is a New Zealand event, so there is no confirmed local impact on Australian venues, regulators or buyer behaviour, but the presence of Chaz Mostert gives the announcement an obvious Australian connection. 131816

WellingtonNZ and TEG Sport material show the event is already being positioned for sale, with presale registration opening on 21 September 2026 and general sales on 22 September 2026. Tickets are listed from NZ$49 and weekend passes from NZ$74, although local Australian pricing, availability and any cross-border impact have not been confirmed. 715

Our take

In our view, the key commercial value of the announcement is the mix of international and Australian-facing names attached to a first-time New Zealand staging. One possible implication is that ROC is using Wellington to strengthen the event’s regional profile, but that is an interpretation of the line-up and host choice, not a measured outcome. 231118

In our view, the confirmed details point to a tightly framed motorsport showcase rather than a broader market signal. The announcement supports interest in the event itself, but it does not by itself show any change in Australian demand, travel behaviour or motorsport participation. 1711

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Sources

How we research and correct our articles

  1. Race Of Champions (ROC) | Official Site of the Global ...raceofchampions.com · 9 Mar 2025 · accessed 21 Sept 2026
  2. Race of Champions announces first New Zealand event with Vettel ...grandepremio.com · 15 Sept 2026 · accessed 21 Sept 2026
  3. F1 world champion among drivers for Race Of Champions’ first New Zealand eventmotorsport.com · 15 Sept 2026 · accessed 21 Sept 2026
  4. Race of Champions comes to Wellington with Sebastian Vettel and Hayden Paddon - NEWS WIREnewswire.co.nz · 16 Sept 2026 · accessed 21 Sept 2026
  5. Wellington Secures Hosting Rights for 2027 Race of Champions at Hnry Stadium - Ministry of Sportministryofsport.com · 17 Sept 2026 · accessed 21 Sept 2026
  6. Bottas and Vettel to Compete in New Zealand's First Race ...sports.yahoo.com · 15 Sept 2026 · accessed 21 Sept 2026
  7. Race of Champions roars into Wellington for historic 2027 ...wellingtonnz.com · 5 Aug 2026 · accessed 21 Sept 2026
  8. Race Of Champions Wellington 2027 | Hnry Stadium – WellingtonNZwellingtonnz.com · accessed 21 Sept 2026
  9. Newsraceofchampions.com · 14 Sept 2026 · accessed 21 Sept 2026
  10. Race of Champions set for NZ debut with F1, Supercars starsground.news · 17 Sept 2026 · accessed 21 Sept 2026
  11. ROC New Zealand | Race Of Championsraceofchampions.com · 14 Sept 2026 · accessed 21 Sept 2026
  12. Se anuncia la sede y fecha de la Race of Champions 2027 y los primeros pilotoses.motorsport.com · 15 Sept 2026 · accessed 21 Sept 2026
  13. Wellington to host Race of Champions' first event in NZ1news.co.nz · 15 Sept 2026 · accessed 21 Sept 2026
  14. Sebastian Vettel 'blown away' as major motorsport event reveals ...racingnews365.com · 15 Sept 2026 · accessed 21 Sept 2026
  15. Race Of Champions New Zealand - TEG Sporttegsport.com.au · 14 Sept 2026 · accessed 21 Sept 2026
  16. New Zealand to host Race of Champions in 2027perthnow.com.au · 19 Sept 2026 · accessed 21 Sept 2026
  17. Valtteri Bottas, Sebastian Vettel Make Racing Career Move Outside F1athlonsports.com · 15 Sept 2026 · accessed 21 Sept 2026
  18. Race of Champions brings F1 stars to Wellington in 2027autotrader.co.nz · 15 Sept 2026 · accessed 21 Sept 2026
  19. 10 January for the 2027 Race Of Champions! Your first ...x.com · 14 Sept 2026 · accessed 21 Sept 2026
  20. F1 champion announces racing return for historic eventgpfans.com · 17 Sept 2026 · accessed 21 Sept 2026
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