TAB NZ releases 2025-26 New Zealand racing calendar

05/21/25

This year’s calendar comprises 1,020 meetings and 10,216 races.

New Zealand.- TAB NZ has confirmed its racing calendar for the 2025/26 season. It will offer 1,020 meetings: 308 thoroughbred meetings, 304 harness meetings and 408 greyhound meetings with 10,216 individual races to be run across the three codes. That’s an increase of 24 meetings, but a decrease of 77 races.

The season will include the World Drivers Championship, to be held by Harness Racing New Zealand in November and a return to a full season of racing at Awapuni in the thoroughbred category. The calendar includes an increase in the number of Friday and Sunday races, from 33 and 64 to 49 and 68, respectively. There will also be more dual thoroughbred racing on Sundays, with the number of events rising from 14 to 18.

TAB NZ reported that racing at Hastings will be temporarily halted for the 2025–26 season and racing at Waipukurau reinstated on a conditional basis.

Tim Gillespie, chair of the TAB NZ Dates Committee, said: “We have welcomed the pragmatic and open-minded approach all three codes have brought to this calendar process in recent months. We’ve had the opportunity to reflect on what was a positive summer thoroughbred racing feature calendar and have also taken steps to amend where we feel appropriate to ensure the growth of New Zealand racing and — in turn — the customer base through TAB and betcha.

“The Committee has appreciated the solutions focus that the three codes have brought to the table, along with their knowledge and understanding of the broadcast and on-course servicing requirements of Entain.”

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