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New research has confirmed there is enough commercial accommodation capacity in Christchurch city and the adjacent Waimakariri and Selwyn districts to host around 39,200 people per night.
This is welcome news to the city, which is becoming more attractive to visitors and, with the forthcoming opening of One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha, to large event promoters.
Electric Avenue 2025 generated 62,902 visitor nights with an average stay of 2.97 nights, and Supercars Championship which is confirmed for April 17-19, 2026, is projected to generate about 38,000 visitor nights across those three days.
The research by Fresh Info was commissioned by ChristchurchNZ to help its understanding of the accommodation market in the city and its surrounds ahead of a bumper year of major events in 2026. ChristchurchNZ also bids or supports major events in the city, such as SailGP, Electric Avenue and Supercars Championship.
Where are all these beds?
Accommodation across Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri includes capacity for 6928 people in hotels, 4984 in motels, 1945 in backpackers, 8912 in holiday parks and hosted Bed and Breakfasts, and 16,435 in peer-to-peer accommodation such as AirBnB and holiday homes.
Capacity in peer-to-peer accommodation is spread across 3863 unique listings in the region containing 9839 beds.
Christchurch city can accommodate around 32,000 people per night in commercial accommodation and the adjacent Waimakariri and Selwyn districts can accommodate around 7200.
How do large events impact hotel prices?
The research also showed large events do impact hotel rates, although the average increases are well below the occasional highly priced hotel listing that makes headlines. Electric Avenue 2024 increased average hotel prices by $20-36 per night relative to one week before and after the event (excluding GST). SailGP 2024 increased average hotel prices by $48-69 per night by the same criteria and Electric Avenue 2025 increased average hotel prices by $69-71 per night.
What about staying with friends or family?
The research also indicated that Greater Christchurch residents are supporting friends and relatives who come to the region for a major event.
For most events, about 60 per cent stay in commercial accommodation with another 40 per cent staying with a friend or relative in town.
ChristchurchNZ general manager of destination and attraction Loren Aberhart says the research findings should give both event attendees and promoters confidence in the city’s ability to continue holding large events.
“With the opening of One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha, Ōtautahi Christchurch has the perfect opportunity to become the events capital of the country. This data shows our city has the capacity to welcome these large events in a balanced way, where we can enjoy both the excitement and economic benefits of events.
“It shows perceptions of accommodation price gouging are largely one-off, but also that our resident population are doing their share, hosting friends and family and showing them a good time while in the city.”
What does this mean for Christchurch?
The research showed a clear lift in accommodation pricing, demand, and occupancy across the year reviewed, demonstrating the positive impact events have on the accommodation sector.
“This research is the first of its kind in New Zealand, and will support Christchurch in assessing periods of peak demand and accommodation surge in order to tailor timing for hosting major events,” says Fresh Info managing director Shane Vuletich.
“It should also give Christchurch and event promoters confidence that the city can cope with large volumes of visitors, and to future hotel investors that the Christchurch market will continue to perform well once One New Zealand Stadium opens.”
