This year’s Zespri AIMS Games began with two big opening ceremonies at Mercury Baypark Arena on 6 September 2026.
More than 14,500 students from 467 schools took part, arriving throughout the day depending on when their sport was due to start.
Most of the schools, 456 in total, travelled from all over New Zealand, while 11 came from overseas — four from Fiji, six from the Cook Islands, and one from Australia.
Four guest sportspeople joined the celebrations: All White Francis de Fries, Silver Fern Amelia Walmsley, Māori All Blacks captain Kurt Eklund, and Black Fern Jaymie Kolose.
They shared stories from their own sporting careers and offered tips on how competitors could get the best out of AIMS Games week.
The Opening Ceremony also brought back its Flag Bearer Ceremony, where chosen students walked across the stage as part of the official flag bearer procession.
Carrying their school’s flag in front of the crowd is meant to be a fun, confidence-building moment and one of the highlights of the day.
The ceremony was designed to inspire the competitors and set the tone for a big week of school sporting championships.
With the opening ceremonies done, students can now look forward to a busy week of competing in their chosen sports.
📺 Watch the full ceremony here: Zespri AIMS Games 2026 – Opening Ceremony
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