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Plan your travel to enjoy the 36th America’s Cup racing and St Patricks Day

It is a full day today of action on the water and festivities in Auckland’s city centre. 

Today is St Patricks Day and with Emirates Team New Zealand entering races 10 & 11 with six points, today we could have a winner of the America’s Cup.

The following information is to help you plan for the transport changes that may come into effect today, Wednesday 17 March.

Race Course A

With Course A in use today, on-land viewing will be possible from beaches and vantage points on the North Shore, including Cheltenham Beach, Narrow Neck Beach and other beaches in the East Coast Bays.

Prizegiving of the America’s Cup

After the deciding race, both boats will return to Auckland’s Viaduct where the official prizegiving will take place. The timing of the prizegiving and return cannot be confirmed yet, as it is dependent on when racing ends, boat traffic on the water and the winning team’s arrival back in the Viaduct.

As the potential of a winning match nears, we are expecting large numbers of spectators and city workers to head towards the action and big screens in the race village. We also expect people to then stay longer in the city and in the race village for the return of the sailing teams, prize-giving and socialising at the bars and restaurants.

Combining racing fans and people enjoying St Patricks Day, the roads and public transport will be busy, extending the city’s evening peak time travel congestion. Give yourself a bit more time to get home or enjoy the festivities.

Road closures

There are no road closures planned but we will be keeping an eye on building crowds and the road network, and if necessary, we may close roads at short notice.

What to expect this evening in the city centre

  • In Wynyard Quarter there will be limited road closures and restricted parking from 11am to 11pm
  • Expect delays and longer driving times in and out of the city after work to late evening
  • Longer travel and wait times for taxis and ride-share services in the evening
  • Access to Princes and Queens Wharf will be maintained at all times from Sturdee Street, Lower Hobson or Quay Street
  • Pedestrians will be given priority at the intersection of Lower Hobson Street and Quay Street (entrance to the Race Village).

Public transport options

Enjoy the racing and St Patricks festivities by planning your travel in advance and use the Journey Planner function in the AT Mobile App.

  • Give yourself a bit more time to get home. Expect more customers on public transport in the evening peak, longer boarding times and delays getting in and out of the city.
  • A free mobility shuttle is operating from closed bus stops in the Wynyard Quarter to provide transport for accessible needs customers into the Race Village.
  • There will be additional ferry services to and from Devonport, and changes to other ferry timetables.
  • Ferry customers may experience delays and longer sailing times particularly during and after racing because of increased boat traffic on the water, location of the race course and reduced sailing speeds for all vessels. Consider taking the bus home instead of the ferry. Plan your bus ride home using the Journey Planner in the AT Mobile app.
  • Free valet bike and e-scooter parking from 2pm to 8pm at the Jellicoe Street carpark and Hobson Street overbridge.

Visit Auckland Transport's America's Cup page for travel information, road closures and viewing locations to watch the sailing.