UTSNZ Launches the 2026 National Tertiary Championship Series
University and Tertiary Sport New Zealand (UTSNZ) is excited to unveil the 2026 National Tertiary Championship Series calendar, setting the stage for another action-packed year of competition, connection, and celebration of tertiary sport across Aotearoa.
The eight sports that have formed the cornerstone of the National Tertiary Championship Series in recent years return for 2026, as universities from around the country prepare to compete for the coveted tertiary shield. The series continues to provide a premier platform for tertiary athletes to test themselves against the best, representing a pinnacle of competition within New Zealand’s tertiary sporting landscape.
The 2026 series launches with the NZ University Rowing Championships on 3–4 April at Lake Karapiro, setting the tone for an exciting year ahead. The National Tertiary Badminton Championship follows on 9–10 May in Hamilton, before the National Tertiary 3x3 Championships take centre stage at the University of Auckland’s Hiwa Recreation Centre on 16–17 May. The National Tertiary Volleyball Championships round out the first half of the series with the competition hosted at CET Arena in Palmerston North on 11–12 July.
The second half of the series begins with the National Tertiary Futsal Championships from 9–11 August at Christchurch’s Parakiore Recreation & Sport Centre, followed by the NZ Tertiary Ultimate Championships hosted by the UC Ultimate Club on 29–30 August, also in Christchurch. The National Tertiary Basketball Championships head to to Parakiore from 11–13 September, before the series concludes with the National Tertiary Netball Championship at AUT’s North Campus Recreation Centre in Auckland on 26–27 September.
After another tightly contested series in 2025, the tertiary shield is once again up for grabs in 2026. With all institutions starting the year on an even footing, universities across the country will be eyeing consistency across the year as they look to accumulate points and lift the shield at the final event.
Also awarded alongside the shield is Te Kaitiaki, the taonga presented to the national tertiary spirit champions. With the award continuing to recognise sportsmanship, culture, and collective pride, teams will once again be striving to leave their mark both on and off the court, water, and field throughout the series.
Beyond the competition itself, UTSNZ’s Workforce Development Programme (UTSNZ WDP) remains a key feature of the National Tertiary Championship Series in 2026. Delivered alongside championship events, the programme provides students with meaningful off-court opportunities that complement their academic studies and career aspirations.
Through the UTSNZ WDP, students gain practical, hands-on experience while developing essential skills such as communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and time management. The programme also offers valuable exposure to the sports industry, helping participants build professional networks and explore potential career pathways.
As UTSNZ looks ahead to another exciting year of tertiary sport, students are encouraged to embrace the opportunities presented in 2026 — from high-performance competition to personal and professional development — and to be part of a championship series that continues to showcase the best of tertiary sport in New Zealand.
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Posted: Tue 17 Feb 2026
