MTB National Championships
CNZ Events: events@cnz.kiwi
The MTB National Championships are heading back to Rotorua for 2026, to be held on 21-22 February.
This is the pinnacle event for New Zealand's mountain bikers. An action packed and thrilling weekend of Cross Country, Short Cross Country Course and Downhill in one of New Zealand’s spiritual home of Mountain Biking.
CNZ will be supported by MTBNZ and the Rotorua MTB Club, who will work together with CNZ to present the Cross Country National Championship on Saturday 21 February, and the Short Course Cross Country and Downhill National Championships on Sunday 22 February.
FINAL EVENT INFO
Click here to read the important final event information that has been emailed to the competitors - TBC
LIVESTREAM
TBC
TECHNICAL GUIDE
Click here for the provisional Tech Guide - TBC
This includes all event information, including the event schedule, course information, lap information etc.
Please note that this is subject to change.
START LISTS
Please click link below for updated Start Lists. Find the latest Entry Lists under the Entry Information tab!
XCO Start Lists
TBC
DH Start List
TBC
*Note the start times are likely to change
XCO Provisional Lap Numbers (subject to change on race day)
TBC
SPORT INTEGRITY COMMISSION
For more information about the Sport Integrity Commission (formerly called Drug Free Sport New Zealand) please click here.
MEDIA ACCREDITATION
All media must be accredited prior to the event.
Accreditation is issued only to media for event specific coverage only. Completing the accreditation is not a guarantee your credentials will be accepted.
Please contact events@cnz.kiwi to express your interest, prior to the event.
SPORT INTEGRITY COMMISSION
The Sport Integrity Commission Te Kahu Raunui is dedicated to creating a safe, fair, and inclusive sport and recreation environment in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Let’s create a level playing field for everyone so we can all share positive experiences in our sport communities.
Learn more: sportintegrity.nz
Entries will open in 2025.
ENTRY LIST
Please click the links below to check your entry looks correct - TBC
Please email events@cnz.kiwi if you need to make any changes.
ENTRY FEES
| Event/Category | Early Bird Fee | Standard Fee |
| XCO - CNZ Licence Holder | ||
| XCO - Non Licence Holder (includes one day licence) | ||
| Elite XCC (with U23s included) - CNZ Licence Holder | ||
| DH - CNZ Licence Holder | ||
| DH - Non Licence Holder (includes one day licence) |
ENTRY WITHDRAWS AND REFUNDS
Entries are not transferable.
Refunds may be available if a withdrawal is requested in writing prior to entries closing on Sunday 8 February at midnight. If accepted a refund of the entry fee less a $25 admin fee will be applied.
Withdrawals submitted after entries have closed are not eligible for a refund.
Email: events@cnz.kiwi
OVER-AGE FOR ELITE
If you wish to race in the Elite Grade but your age is over the age limit, please email events@cnz.kiwi to apply to receive the age override code. Please ensure to request this code early to avoid missing entering on time, as a late fee will apply if you are unable to enter on time.
LATE ENTRIES
If capacity allows, late entries will be accepted for Non-UCI Categories only (U15, U17, Sport and Masters) once entries have closed with a late fee penalty of $50 per event. Riders who enter late will not be given any seeding preferences. Click here (TBC) to complete a late entry and please bring cash or be prepared to do a bank transfer at the event to pay (no eftpos is available). Late entries WILL NOT be accepted on Saturday or Sunday.
ENTRY TERMS AND CONDITION
ENTRY ELIGIBILITY AND CRITERIA
- UCI Categories - Open to NZL riders only
- All riders must be a paid and current member of a MTBNZ/CNZ Affiliated MTB Club*
- Late entries will not be accepted for UCI Categories.
- International riders may enter DH only as a Ghost rider, only if capacity allows.
LICENCING
- All riders in UCI categories must hold a 2026 Cycling New Zealand annual Licence.
- All riders in the Non-UCI categories must hold a 2026 Cycling New Zealand annual licence OR Paid the additional fees and receive a 'One Day' Cycling New Zealand Licence.
- This event is the New Zealand Championships and entry is only open to NZL riders (as per your nationality with UCI).
- All riders purchasing a one-day event license must agree to the One-day licence Terms & Conditions here.
Event Communiques is the official distribution of event information. Please check here regularly for updated Communiques.
CROSS COUNTRY
| UCI Categories |
Elite - Riders aged between 23 - 29 (as at 31 December 2026) The Elite/U23 race will be run as a COMBINED RACE (Only 3 medals awarded). In the case of a U23 winning the Combined Race only one (Elite) National Jersey will be awarded to that rider. In the case of an Elite winning the Combined Race, the winner will be awarded with an Elite National Jersey and the first placed U23 rider will be awarded with a U23 National Jersey.
This category is only available for NZL riders. |
| NON - UCI Categories |
U15 - For Riders aged between 13 - 14 (as at 31 December 2026) Masters 4 - For Riders aged between 60 - 69 (as at December 2026) Masters 5 - For Riders ages between 70+ (as at December 2026) These categories are open to riders of all Nationalities. |
SHORT COURSE CROSS COUNTRY
| UCI Categories only | Elite (with U23’s included) - For Riders aged between 19 - 29 (as at 31 December 2026) |
DOWNHILL
| UCI Categories |
Elite - For Riders aged between 19 - 29 (as at 31 December 2026) The Elite/U19 races will be run as a Combined Race but with each grade in their respective blocks and they will have separate medals presentations. In the case of a U19 winning the Combined Race only one (Elite) National Jersey will be awarded to that rider. In the case of an Elite winning the Combined Race, the winner will be awarded an Elite National Jersey and the first placed U19 rider will be awarded with a U19 National Jersey. This category is only available for NZL riders. Ghost riders will only be accepted if there is capacity when entries close. If you are a Ghost rider (an international rider who wishes to race in the UCI category - then please contact events@cnz.kiwi to be added to a waitlist) |
| NON - UCI Categories |
U15 - For Riders aged between 13 - 14 (as at 31 December 2026) Masters 3 - For Riders aged between 50 - 59 (as at 31 December 2026) Masters 4 - For Riders aged between 60 - 69 (as at December 2026) Masters 5 - For Riders ages between 70+ (as at December 2026) These categories are open to riders of all Nationalities. |
2025 Results:
| Cross Country | Cross Country Results |
| Short Course Cross Country | Short Course Cross Country Results |
| Downhill | DH Results |
2024 Results:
| Cross Country | Cross Country Results |
| Short Course Cross Country | Short Course Cross Country Results |
| Downhill | DH Results |
2023 Results:
| Cross Country | Cross Country Results |
| Short Course Cross Country | Short Course Cross Country Results |
| Downhill | DH Results |
2022 Results:
| Cross Country | Cross Country Results |
| Downhill | DH Results |
2021 Results:
| Cross Country | Cross Country Results |
| Downhill | DH Results |
2020 NZ Results:
| Cross Country | Elite - Junior Cross Country Results | Master - Sport Cross Country Results |
| Downhill | DH Results |
2020 Oceania Results:
| Cross Country | Oceania U19, U23 & Elite Cross Country Results | Oceania U15 & U17 Cross Country Results | Oceania Sport - Master Cross Country Results |
| Downhill | Oceania DH Results |
2019 Results:
| Cross Country | Cross Country Results |
| Downhill | DH Results |
2018 Results:
| Cross Country | Cross Country Results |
| Downhill | DH Results |
2017 Results:
| Cross Country | Cross Country Results |
| Downhill | DH Results |
2016 Results:
You can check out the awesome range of our 2026 MTB National Champs event merch here - TBC
Check out the 24/7 online shop!
We have hoodies, short sleeves, long sleeves and bags available to purchase.
