For the first time, New Zealand is set to play host to the Race of Champions (ROC) – an annual international stadium race event that pits leading drivers from a range of different motorsport disciplines against one another.
The event will take place at Wellington’s Hnry Stadium over January 9-10, and ticket pre-sales are now open.
While the full driver and car lineups are yet to be announced, ROC organisers have confirmed the first four names.
Hyundai’s World Rally Championship ace Hayden Paddon is set to form half of New Zealand’s driver lineup, while defending Australian Supercars series champion Chaz Mostert will represent Australia.
Organisers have also confirmed current Cadillac Formula 1 driver Valtteri Bottas will be competing for Finland, while former F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel will represent Germany.
Organisers boast that the driver lineup will include stars from “Formula 1, IndyCar, Supercars, World Rally, NASCAR, and more”, potentially opening the door for the likes of Shane van Gisbergen, Scott Dixon or Scott McLaughlin to take up the second slot on the New Zealand team.
“We are very excited to bring the Race of Champions to Wellington and New Zealand for the first time,” said ROC president and co-founder Fredrik Johnsson.
“This is one of the most beautiful places on earth and there is so much passion for motorsport and so many talented drivers here. It will be fascinating to see the Kiwi stars compete against some of the international superstars from F1, World Rally and more in front of their home fans.”
Hayden Padden added: “It’s amazing to see one of the world’s most spectacular motorsport events come to New Zealand for the first time ever.
“New Zealand is really in a golden age of motorsport at the moment across so many disciplines and I can’t think of a more fitting celebration of this than hosting the Race of Champions that attracts so many of the biggest stars from all around the world.
“This is really a once in a lifetime opportunity for Kiwi motorsport fans to get up close and personal with drivers from F1, WRC, circuit and other motorsport forms, all battling it out in equal machinery inside one of NZ’s most famous sports stadiums.
“It’s really a historic event for so many reasons and I’m personally incredibly proud to be a part of it.”
First held in 1988, the Race of Champions event has travelled the world, with past venues including London’s Wembley Stadium and Marlins Park in Miami. Races are held on a temporary indoor course, with a variety of different race cars competing.
Past winners include Vettel, David Coulthard, Tommi Makinen, the late Colin McRae, and Stig Blomqvist. The last edition of ROC was held in Sydney in 2025, and was won by five-times ROC winner Sebastian Loeb.