Rainbow Games - Games Day Info & FAQs

GAMES DAY

Information and FAQs for on the day

Here's your info to have the best games day possible
How to get to your venue, where to park, what's available and how to get spectator tickets
How you collect your accreditation passes

​​​​​​​Programme​​​​​​​

HIWA (Kickball, Netball, Volleyball, Functional Fitness, Swimming, Indoor Bowls, Basketball, Get Active)


Getting to HIWA and Parking

​​​​​​​Spectators

Spectators (15+) are welcome to attend Hiwa Recreation Centre.

You will be required to obtain a ticket. This can be done either before you arrive or on the spot (via QR code) at the door.  There is no cost, we just require all spectators to be accounted for, for security purposes.

Get your tickets here

Food and Drink

AUCKLAND BADMINTON CENTRE (Badminton)


Getting to Auckland Badminton Centre and Parking

​​​​​​​Spectators

Spectators are welcome to attend Auckland Badminton Centre.

You will be required to obtain a ticket. This can be done either before you arrive or on the spot (via QR code) at the door.  There is no cost, we just require all spectators to be accounted for, for security purposes.

Get your tickets here

Food and Drink

  • Small kitchenette on site that can be used
  • Walking distance - options here

COX'S BAY RESERVE (Touch and Football)


Getting to Auckland Badminton Centre and Parking

​​​​​​​Spectators

Spectators are welcome to attend Cox's Bay Reserve.

You will be required to obtain a ticket. This can be done either before you arrive or on the spot (via QR code) at the venue.  There is no cost, we just require all spectators to be accounted for, for security purposes.

Get your tickets here

​​​​​​​Food and Drink

TOTALCOACH TENNIS CENTRE (Tennis)


Getting to TotalCoach Tennis Centre and Parking

​​​​​​​Spectators

Spectators are welcome to attend Total Coach Tennis Centre.

You will be required to obtain a ticket. This can be done either before you arrive or on the spot (via QR code) at the door.  There is no cost, we just require all spectators to be accounted for, for security purposes.

Get your tickets here

Food and Drink

  • Onsite - coffee cart and acai bowl cart
  • Walking distance - options here

Other

There will be a mini van available for short drives to food and drink shops.

PINS HENDERSON (Tenpin Bowling)


Getting to PINS Henderson and Parking

​​​​​​​Spectators

Spectators are welcome to attend PINS Henderson.

You will be required to obtain a ticket. This can be done either before you arrive or on the spot (via QR code) at the door.  There is no cost, we just require all spectators to be accounted for, for security purposes.

Get your tickets here

Food and Drink

Accreditation

Pick up your lanyard from outside the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre from 5pm on Thursday 29th October before the Opening Ceremony.  The accreditation desk will be open for the duration of the opening ceremony - 5pm to 9pm. You will require your lanyard to enter the opening ceremony. Please bring some form of ID.

If you cannot make it to the opening ceremony, your accreditation will be available through your competition organiser on the day of your competition at your respective venue.

Tennis
Collect your lanyard from TotalCoach Tennis Centre on Thursday 29th October from 8am.

Auckland Marathon
​​​​​​​
Auckland Marathon runners, your packs and kit will be available at the Accreditation Centre at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre from 5pm to 9pm on Thursday 29th October.  If you cannot pick up your pack at this time, they will be available for pick up at HIWA Recreation Centre, University of Auckland, 17 Symonds Street from 9am to 4pm on Saturday 31 October.  Please bring some form of ID.

Ceremonies

OPENING CEREMONY


  • Thursday 29th October
  • Bar open at 6pm, event starts 7pm
  • Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre
  • Free for registered athletes (with accreditation pass), additional tickets available from Moshtix

​​​​​​​Bringing together athletes, participants, supporters and our wider rainbow whānau for one incredible night!

The Rainbow Games Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland 2026 Opening Ceremony will be a spectacular celebration of community, culture and the extraordinary creativity of Aotearoa’s rainbow communities.

Taking place at the iconic Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre in the heart of Auckland’s CBD, this unforgettable evening will officially launch the 2026 Rainbow Games, bringing together athletes, participants, supporters and our wider rainbow whānau for one incredible night.

Produced by DJ and rainbow-entertainment maestro Jordan Eskra, the Opening Ceremony will showcase an exciting line-up of some of New Zealand’s most celebrated queer artists and performers. Confirmed acts include dance music icon Ardon England, RuPaul’s Drag Race legend Anita Wigl’it, and acclaimed performer Ramon Te Wake, with many more exciting names still to be announced. The evening will be hosted by one of New Zealand’s biggest personalities, the incomparable Luke Bird.

Expect spectacular performances, electrifying dance, powerful moments of celebration and the ultimate showcase of New Zealand queer artistry. From emerging voices to established icons, the evening will celebrate the talent, diversity and creativity that makes Aotearoa’s rainbow communities so extraordinary.

The Rainbow Games Opening Ceremony promises to be more than simply the beginning of an incredible week of sport — it will be a bold, joyful and unforgettable celebration of who we are, where we have come from and the vibrant future we are creating together.

This is where the Rainbow Games begin.

CLOSING DRINKS


  • Sunday 1st November
  • Doors open at 5pm, formalities start at 6pm
  • Longroom, 114 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby

A great chance to have a final catch up with new friends and celebrate achievements.

Programme

By Venue


HIWA

  • Saturday
    • Basketball
    • Functional Fitness
    • Get Active
    • Indoor Bowls
    • Kickball
    • Netball
    • Swimming
  • Sunday
    • Kickball
    • Get Active
    • Netball
    • Volleyball

PINS Henderson

  • Saturday
    • Ten Pin - 12pm

TotalCoach Tennis Centre

  • Thursday - Sunday
    • Tennis

Auckland Badminton Centre

  • Saturday
    • Badminton 7am-7pm

Cox's Bay Reserve

  • Saturday
    • Football
    • Touch

Victoria Park (finishline)

  • Sunday
    • Running 5.55am onwards

By Day


Thursday

  • Tennis - TotalCoach Tennis Centre
  • Opening Ceremony - Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre, 6pm-9pm

Friday

  • Tennis - TotalCoach Tennis Centre

Saturday

  • Tennis - TotalCoach Tennis Centre
  • Badminton - Auckland Badminton Centre, 7am-7pm
  • Tenpin Bowling - PINS Henderson, 12pm-6pm
  • Football - Cox's Bay Reserve
  • Touch - Cox's Bay Reserve
  • Basketball - HIWA
  • Functional Fitness - HIWA
  • Get Active - HIWA
  • Indoor Bowls - HIWA
  • Kickball - HIWA
  • Netball - HIWA
  • Swimming - HIWA
  • Propaganda - Studio The Venue, 10pm-4am

Sunday

  • Tennis - TotalCoach Tennis Centre
  • Get Active - HIWA
  • Kickball - HIWA
  • Netball - HIWA
  • Running - Auckland Marathon, 5.55am onwards
  • Volleyball - HIWA
  • Closing Drinks - Longroom, Ponsonby Road, 5pm