The Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta celebrates the birthday of the City of Sails and the founding of the province in 1840, making it the oldest sporting event in New Zealand - even older than the America’s Cup!

The history of the Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta is tightly interwoven with that of the City of Sails itself. The very first regatta was held on the day Auckland was founded, and the event has been instrumental in developing the rich maritime history and reputation that Auckland holds today.

For spectators, it’s a glorious spectacle featuring the vintage superstars of the past and the high tech heralds of the future. The regatta attracts a huge fleet of vessels including classic tall ships and gaff riggers, modern sloops and racing keelers, sailing dinghies and foiling classes, radio controlled boats, waka ama, dragon boats and an armada of tugboats and classic launches.

For seafarers, it’s a chance to be part of history in the making - racing for over $10,000 worth of prizes and the ultimate honour of having your name engraved on one of the regatta’s historic trophy collection. The collection of over 60 trophies - many of which date back to the 1800s, and some of which are solid silver - is on permanent display at the Maritime Museum, ensuring winners will be enshrined in nautical history forever.