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Important SN update for SouthlandKiwi Supercars double-header confirmed for 2026
Duncan Perkinson • June 25th, 2025 3:00 pm
Grove Racing driver Matt Payne celebrates winning race 10 of the V8 Supercar season and the Jason Richards Memorial Troph | Photo: Photosport
Dates have now been confirmed for the double-header round of Supercars in New Zealand in 2026.
The Taupō round will be held from Friday April 10th to Sunday April 12th, while the brand-new round in Christchurch will take place the following weekend from Friday April 17th to Sunday April 19th.
Taupō International Motorsport Park and Christchurch’s Ruapuna Raceway are now officially locked in for back-to-back events in April.
The racing at Ruapuna will be the long awaited debut of Supercars in the South Island.
The confirmation of dates follows Supercars’ announcement that Taupō and Ruapuna will host races for the next three years (2026–2028).
The Taupō round will be held from Friday April 10th to Sunday April 12th, while the brand-new round in Christchurch will take place the following weekend from Friday April 17th to Sunday April 19th.
Taupō International Motorsport Park and Christchurch’s Ruapuna Raceway are now officially locked in for back-to-back events in April.
The racing at Ruapuna will be the long awaited debut of Supercars in the South Island.
The confirmation of dates follows Supercars’ announcement that Taupō and Ruapuna will host races for the next three years (2026–2028).
Matt Payne takes the chequered flag in Taupō | Photo: AAP
Supercars CEO Shane Howard said the Double Header will become a new highlight of the annual calendar.
“We are thrilled to officially confirm the dates for our inaugural New Zealand Double Header,” Howard said.
“Kicking off in Taupō and finishing in Christchurch, this is a major milestone for Supercars and a huge win for our fans and partners in Aotearoa.”
Over the years Wellington, Hamilton, Pukekohe and Taupō have all hosted Australian Touring Cars and Supercars races and Christchurch will join that list in 2026, becoming the first South Island city to do so.
Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger welcomed the announcement of Ruapuna’s debut event: “This is a massive moment for our city.
“Supercars is one of the biggest sporting categories in the Southern Hemisphere, and bringing the Championship to Christchurch will inject millions into our local economy and put us firmly on the global motorsport map.”
