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The highly anticipated Crankworx Summer Series is set to return to New Zealand in 2025, after the cancellation of the 2024 event due to the devastating fires in the Port Hills affecting Christchurch Adventure Park.
The event will take place from February 13-16, 2025, with a new line up of events that will elevate the mountain biking experience for both riders and spectators alike, as part of the build-up to the first mega-festival of the Crankworx World Tour in Rotorua from March 5-9, 2025.
The Ōtautahi- Christchurch festival will introduce a new Freeride Mountain Bike Association Gold Level Slopestyle event, the first of its kind in New Zealand. The new course and competition are set to attract some of the world’s top Slopestyle riders and provide a pathway for emerging New Zealand talent.
The event is also part of the esteemed FMBA Gold Cup, making it even more attractive for international Slopestyle athletes. Alongside Slopestyle, the festival will also feature two additional internationally broadcast events: Pump Track and Downhill, ensuring a packed four-day event with action for spectators and athletes alike.
Christchurch Adventure Park general manager Anne Newman says she is excited about hosting Crankworx Summer Series
“Crankworx is such a fun and iconic event on the riding calendar. We’re beyond excited to showcase Christchurch Adventure Park to international riders and fans. The addition of the Gold Level Slopestyle will push the limits of what our venue can offer and inspire riders and spectators alike.”
Due to the 2024 Port Hills fire damage, athletes were denied the chance to debut the eagerly awaited purpose-built Downhill course; 2025 will give local and international riders the opportunity to finally compete on this restored track.
The 2025 Crankworx Summer Series marks the continuation of a significant partnership with ChristchurchNZ, the city’s sustainable economic development agency, and New Zealand Major Events which confirmed an investment from the Major Events Fund in 2022 to support the event.
“We are delighted to have the Crankworx Summer Series as part of Ōtautahi’s 2025 events calendar,” says Karena Finnie, ChristchurchNZ head of major events Karena Finnie.
“We can’t wait for residents and visitors to join us for this unique event in our city’s ultimate playground, the Christchurch Adventure Park. The addition of the World Series Gold Level Slopestyle, coupled with Christchurch’s world-class mountain bike trails makes this an unmissable event.”
Crankworx’s commitment to leaving a legacy in Christchurch began in 2024, with the introduction of permanent, professional-standard amenities, including a head-to-head Pump Track and World Cup-level Downhill track that will be resurrected for 2025. This legacy will continue to grow in 2025 with the establishment of a Gold Level Slopestyle course, perfectly timed as the sport gains momentum both nationally and internationally.
These facilities will remain long after the event, fostering local talent, attracting international competitors, and cementing Christchurch as a premier destination in the global mountain biking scene for years to come.
Crankworx Summer Series New Zealand, now a cornerstone of the global mountain bike calendar, is expected to draw athletes and fans from across New Zealand and internationally, especially in the lead-up to the eleventh edition of Crankworx Rotorua in 2025. With direct flights between Christchurch and Rotorua, the back-to-back festivals create a dream opportunity for riders and fans to experience the best of New Zealand mountain biking.
Event director Ariki Tibble highlights the significance of the 2025 edition.
“Many in our community will agree that there is some unfinished business for us in Ōtautahi – Christchurch. With a world-class venue in Christchurch Adventure Park, the introduction of the Gold Level Slopestyle, and the seamless connection between Christchurch and Rotorua, I think we’ve lined up something pretty special for 2025.”
