The Tauranga BOP Petanque Club is set to welcome players from across the country this month as it hosts the 2026 Petanque New Zealand National Club Championship at Club Mount Maunganui.

Club president Linda Inglis said the April 17-18 event is a major occasion for the local petanque community, marking the third time the club has hosted national-level competition.

“It’s really exciting for us,” Inglis said. “We’ve got teams coming from throughout New Zealand – as far away as Dunedin – which is fantastic.”

Eighteen teams are registered, competing across two divisions: Open, and seniors for players aged 60-plus. Each team is made up of six players, including at least two women, and competition will take place across two full days of play.

Two days, 18 games

Matches will run 9am-4pm next Friday, April 17, and Saturday, April 18, with up to 18 games to be played on the club’s purpose-built terrain.

“We’re very fortunate to have the space,” Inglis said. “The facility was designed so we could host tournaments like this.”

The Mount Maunganui venue has been home to the club since 2017, when it relocated from Cliff Rd into a growing sports precinct alongside bowls and croquet. The site features 20 petanque playing lanes – known as pistes – enabling multiple games to be played at once.

Unlike some tournaments that move into knockout rounds, the club championships will see teams play a full schedule of 10 games – five each day.

“It’s quite unusual,” Inglis said. “But it means everyone gets plenty of play.”

Petanque is a sport known for its accessibility, with players ranging widely in age and ability. Inglis said competitors at the championships will include players in their 80s, highlighting the inclusive nature of the game.

The appeal

“It’s something that can be played by almost anyone,” she said. “That’s part of its appeal.”

Bethlehem petanque player Monica Smiler, who has been playing for more than 30 years. Photo / Kelly O’Hara

The event also reflects the growing profile of petanque in New Zealand and internationally. Annual transtasman competitions between New Zealand and Australia continue to strengthen the sport, while Pacific nation such as Tahiti and New Caledonia have also competed locally this year.

There are even aspirations for pétanque — alongside bowls — to be included in the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games, though this is not yet confirmed.

While Pétanque New Zealand will manage the competition itself, the Tauranga club is proud to provide the venue and host visiting teams, Inglis said.

“We’ll be putting on the cups of tea and coffee and making sure everyone feels welcome.”

Free to watch!

The championships is free to attend, and spectators are encouraged to enjoy the action.

“People can just pop in and have a look,” Inglis said. “It’s a great chance to see the sport being played at a high level.”