The ballot has now closed.

• Ballot opens: Tuesday, 4 February 2025
• Ballot closes: 5pm 24 February
• First ticket release: Wednesday, 26 February 2025
• Second ticket release: Wednesday, 5 March 2025 (for unclaimed/returned tickets)
• Extra ticket release: Wednesday, 12 March 2025 (for unclaimed/returned tickets)
• Third ticket release: Wednesday, 19 March 2025 (for unclaimed/returned tickets)
• Event Date: Saturday, 22 March 2025

You will need to redeem your code within the time frame provided via your email from Ticketek. Tickets cannot be redeemed after this date.

The ballot was open from 4th to 24th February, and to keep things fair for everyone, we aren’t able to accept late entries.

But don’t worry—there’s still plenty to experience at Balloons Over Waikato!  From magical morning ascensions to Balloons visit South Waikato, Waipā and The Base, the festival has something for everyone.

If you are successful in the ballot, you will receive an email confirmation immediately after claiming your tickets.

However, the actual QR code required for entry will not be sent until midday Friday 21 March 2025.

This step helps to prevent scalping and ensures fair access for all.

If you are successful in the ballot, you’ll receive an email confirmation with instructions on how to claim your tickets.

If you don’t claim your tickets within the timeframe stated on the email your tickets will be surrendered back into the pool, and you’ll have unfortunately missed out.

We checked with Ticketek about the confirmation message. They advised that if you saw the pop-up at the end of your ballot application saying you’ve entered, that’s your confirmation. 

No. You don’t need to be online at the exact moment the ballot opens.

Simply submit your application before the Monday 24 February 2025.

You may be drawn in the other ballot draws.

Not necessarily! If you haven’t received an email from Ticketek, it means you haven’t been randomly drawn yet. There is still one final draw on 19 March, so you’re still in with a chance. Keep an eye on your inbox, including your spam and promotions boxes.

No. Tickets are free and only available via Ticketek. Tickets sold elsewhere are invalid and may result in denied entry.

Each individual can apply through the ballot for up to 6 tickets.

No, any duplicate applications were deleted and in extreme cases may result in your application being removed from the ballot altogether.

If you cannot attend, please return your ticket through Ticketek so that others can have the opportunity to attend.

No. Due to capacity limits, only those with valid tickets will be permitted entry.

We understand the need to plan! The final ballot draw is on 19 March, so if you haven’t received an email yet, you’re still in the running. Due to the event’s popularity and limited capacity, we’re using a ballot system to fairly distribute free tickets. Thanks for your patience.

The QR code/s required for entry will be sent to successful applicants at midday on Friday 21 March 2025.

There is one QR code per person.

Until then, attendees will receive an email confirmation of their ticket allocation.

Directions of Event Staff: You must follow the reasonable directions of Event staff as required and comply with the law at all times during the Event.

Conditions of Entry

To ensure that all attendees have a comfortable and enjoyable experience, we ask patrons to respect the event facilities and help contribute to a fantastic event for all our patrons. To achieve this, we require all attendees to meet the following conditions of entry. Please note, conditions are subject to change without notice.

For the comfort, safety and enjoyment of all patrons, Balloons Over Waikato Management reserve the right to remove or refuse entry to any patrons whom:

• Are deemed to be intoxicated and / or disorderly.
• Refuses to have a bag/ person search conducted.
• Are carrying items which are deemed to have the potential to cause injury or public nuisance.
• Have been issued a trespass notice that still applied.
• Participates in dangerous activities or antisocial activities.
• Behave in a disorderly or offensive manner, or a manner contrary to public order.
• Attempt to bring a prohibited item into the venue.
• Breach any part of the terms of the Venue Regulations and Conditions of Entry.
• Commit any act deemed a crime in New Zealand Law.
• Display anti-social or threatening behaviour to other event attendees or staff.
• Have gang patches or gang paraphernalia on display.
• Attempt to misrepresent themselves as a member of staff or security or attempt to enter restricted areas.
• Are under the influence of or have on their person illicit drugs or illegal substances.
• Participate in dangerous activities such as aggressive or antisocial behaviour may result in immediate ejection, or referral to New Zealand Police.

All patrons entering the venue do so at their own risk:

• For safety reasons, footwear is to be worn at all times.
• There shall be no unsolicited selling of merchandise, advertising, or promotional giveaways.
• This is an all-ages event with two un-restricted areas serving alcohol. The VIP Area located in The Barn and the Pilot and Crew catering area located in Hall B. Any access to these areas will be with proper accreditation only and alcohol consumption will be served and monitored by a licenced duty manager.
• All other areas are not licensed and will NOT have alcohol.
• Failure to comply with a direction from Event Staff, Security or the NZ Police to leave the venue may render the patron liable to arrest and prosecution for the offence of trespass under Section 4 of the Trespass Act 1980, as amended, which is punishable on conviction by a fine not exceeding $1,000 or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 3 months in terms of section 11 (a) of the Trespass Act 1980, as amended.

No Animals: animals are not permitted at the Event Site. Service animals are permitted.

No Passouts: Pass outs will not be issued for the event, any exemption to this will be at the discretion of the Security Supervisor or Balloons Over Waikato event staff.

Evictions

Only the Venue Event Manager, Head of Security or Police have the authority to approve the eviction of a person from the venue. For more serious offences NZ Police may be notified. Where a patron is evicted, they will not be able to re-enter the venue. Evictions will occur through the nearest exit to facilitate swift egress.

Security & Search on Entry

Balloons Over Waikato Event Management and its representatives reserve the right to request patrons to present any clothing, bags and other carried items for searching, including being subject to a pat down security search and/or a scanner search before entering the stadium.

If you refuse to present any of the requested items for searching, you will be denied entry.

Entry will be refused if a patron is intoxicated or under the influence of illicit substances.

Below is a list of prohibited items. Confiscated items will not be returned, replaced or reimbursed. Event Management and the promoter take no responsibility for confiscated items.

Prohibited Items: Prohibited Items include but are not limited:

• Alcohol – any alcohol found at the Event Site will be confiscated and will not be returned and the offending patron(s) ejected from Event Site for the remainder of the Event.
• Commercial takeaway food, other than products from our friends at Domino’s. Domino’s products are allowed into the venue.
• Glass (including jars, bottles, containers, mirrors and perfumes).
• Weapons or explosives of any kind (including potential missiles).
• Illegal substances.
• Animals (excluding service dogs such as guide dogs and police or emergency service dogs).
• Nitrous oxide bulbs and canisters.
• Flares, fireworks, sparklers explosives, or any fire twirling equipment.
• Flammable liquids.
• Musical Instruments – bongos, guitars, flutes, horns and any other type of musical instrument or noise maker.
• Advanced personal vapourizers (or modified APVs) or liquid refills for E-Cigs.
• Air horns, Sound systems, portable speakers or boom boxes.
• Portable laser equipment and pens.
• Sharpies, markers, paint cans or paint pens.
• Drones, kites, sky lanterns or other remote control devices.
• Couches, tables and beach umbrellas
• Umbrellas, parasols, pop up tents, sun shades, marquees or any structures over 1.2m high.
• Anything studded (ie belts, wristbands etc).
• Toy guns, water guns, pocketknives, slingshots or any other toy resembling a weapon.
• Monopods, tripods or attachment sticks (selfie-sticks).
• Torches, lasers and pen lights.
• Skateboards, scooters, wagons, carts, rollerblades, roller skates, bicycles, quad-bikes, segways, hoverboards, self-balancing scooters or any personal motorised vehicles.
• Unauthorised solicitation materials including handbills, flyers, stickers, beach balls, give-aways, samples, or other promotional items.
• Any other item deemed by Event staff (in their discretion) to be dangerous or offensive or potentially dangerous by Event organisers.

Permitted Items

1. Empty plastic or metal water bottle (max. 750ml)
2. Home made (non-commercial) snacks, food or picnic items, and any Domino’s commercial food products.
3. Prams and Strollers
4. Small personal cameras and camera phones are allowed.
5. Small hand sanitizer and baby wipes
6. Mobile phone and charger
7. Sunblock and sunglasses
8. Blanket, picnic blanket or cushion and small shade structures up to 1.2m high
9. Sealed cigarettes and lighters (not for use in the venue)
10. E-Cig and vape pens (single use only – not for use in the venue)
11. Ear plugs
12. Bum bags
13. Gum
14. Hats
15. Certified Service dogs

Festival management take no responsibility for any damage to, loss or theft of a patron’s personal property while at the festival.

We reserve the right to revise our terms and conditions, or any part of it, as required.

ZURU Nightglow Park N Ride brought to you by Kinetic is available to those who have been succesfully selected for ZURU Nightglow tickets from the ballot.

Stops include:

1. Grosvenor Park (Rototuna)
   • Hukanui Road
2. Rotokauri Hub
   • River Road
   • Clarkin Road
3. Melville High School
   • Ohaupo Road
   • Palmerston Street
   • Transport Centre, Anglesea Street
   • Victoria Street
4. Frankton Primary School
5. Hamilton Gardens
   • Naylor Street
   • Grey Street

Download the flyer here.  Full stops and maps. [2mb]

The ballot was open from 4th to 24th February, and to keep things fair for everyone, we aren’t able to accept late entries.

But don’t worry—there’s still plenty to experience at Balloons Over Waikato!  From magical morning ascensions to Balloons visit South Waikato, Waipā and The Base, the festival has something for everyone.

Infants under the age of 12 months do not require a ticket.

Tickets are limited to a maximum of 6 per randomly drawn ballot winner, and we’re unable to provide extra beyond this. If another adult in your group also entered the ballot, they may be drawn separately for additional tickets. We appreciate your understanding and hope you have an amazing time.

No. Tickets are free and only available via Ticketek. Tickets sold elsewhere are invalid and may result in denied entry.

No. Tickets are free and only available via Ticketek. Tickets sold elsewhere are invalid and may result in denied entry.

If you cannot attend, please return your ticket through Ticketek so that others can have the opportunity to attend.

No. Due to capacity limits, only those with valid tickets will be permitted entry.

The QR code/s required for entry will be sent to successful applicants at midday on Friday 21 March 2025.

There is one QR code per person.

Until then, attendees will receive an email confirmation of their ticket allocation.

Yes. Catch the bus from key Hamilton locations to the Claudelands Arena for the ZURU Nightglow.
FREE buses over five routes will run between 5pm and 7pm from the Park and Ride sites, stopping at special event bus stops along the way and returning after the ZURU Nightglow.

The ZURU Nightglow Park N Ride is brought to you by Kinetic is available to those who have been succesfully selected for ZURU Nightglow tickets from the ballot.

Stops include:

1. Grosvenor Park (Rototuna)
   • Hukanui Road
2. Rotokauri Hub
   • River Road
   • Clarkin Road
3. Melville High School
   • Ohaupo Road
   • Palmerston Street
   • Transport Centre, Anglesea Street
   • Victoria Street
4. Frankton Primary School
5. Hamilton Gardens
   • Naylor Street
   • Grey Street

Download the flyer here.  Full stops and maps. [2mb]

Directions of Event Staff: You must follow the reasonable directions of Event staff as required and comply with the law at all times during the Event.

 Conditions of Entry
To ensure that all attendees have a comfortable and enjoyable experience, we ask patrons to respect the event facilities and help contribute to a fantastic event for all our patrons. To achieve this, we require all attendees to meet the following conditions of entry. Please note, conditions are subject to change without notice.

For the comfort, safety and enjoyment of all patrons, Balloons Over Waikato Management reserve the right to remove or refuse entry to any patrons whom:

• Are deemed to be intoxicated and / or disorderly.
• Refuses to have a bag/ person search conducted.
• Are carrying items which are deemed to have the potential to cause injury or public nuisance.
• Have been issued a trespass notice that still applied.
• Participates in dangerous activities or antisocial activities.
• Behave in a disorderly or offensive manner, or a manner contrary to public order.
• Attempt to bring a prohibited item into the venue.
• Breach any part of the terms of the Venue Regulations and Conditions of Entry.
• Commit any act deemed a crime in New Zealand Law.
• Display anti-social or threatening behaviour to other event attendees or staff.
• Have gang patches or gang paraphernalia on display.
• Attempt to misrepresent themselves as a member of staff or security or attempt to enter restricted areas.
• Are under the influence of or have on their person illicit drugs or illegal substances.
• Participate in dangerous activities such as aggressive or antisocial behaviour.

All patrons entering the venue do so at their own risk:

• For safety reasons, footwear is to be worn at all times.
• There shall be no unsolicited selling of merchandise, advertising, or promotional giveaways.
• This is an all-ages event with two un-restricted areas serving alcohol. The VIP Area located in The Barn and the Pilot and Crew catering area located in Hall B. Any access to these areas will be with proper accreditation only and alcohol consumption will be served and monitored by a licenced duty manager.
• All other areas are not licensed and will NOT have alcohol.
• Failure to comply with a direction from Event Staff, Security or the NZ Police may render the patron liable to arrest and prosecution for the offence of trespass under Section 4 of the Trespass Act 1980, as amended, which is punishable on conviction by a fine not exceeding $1,000 or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 3 months in terms of section 11 (a) of the Trespass Act 1980, as amended.

No Animals: animals are not permitted at the Event Site. Service animals are permitted.

No Passouts: Pass outs will not be issued for the event, any exemption to this will be at the discretion of the Security Supervisor or Balloons Over Waikato Event Management.

Evictions
Only the Venue Event Manager, Head of Security or Police have the authority to approve the eviction of a person from the venue. For more serious offences NZ Police may be notified. Where a patron is evicted, they will not be able to re-enter the venue. Evictions will occur through the nearest exit to facilitate swift egress.

Event Management take no responsibility for any damage to, loss or theft of a patron’s personal property while at the event.

We reserve the right to revise our terms and conditions, or any part of it, as required.

Permitted Items

• Empty plastic or metal water bottle (max. 750ml)
• Home made (non-commercial) snacks, food or picnic items, and any Domino’s commercial food products.
• Prams and Strollers
• Small personal cameras and camera phones are allowed.
• Small hand sanitizer and baby wipes
• Mobile phone and charger
• Sunblock and sunglasses
• Blanket, picnic blanket or cushion and small shade structures up to 1.2m high
• Sealed cigarettes and lighters (not for use in the venue)
• E-Cig and vape pens (single use only – not for use in the venue)
• Ear plugs
• Bum bags
• Gum
• Hats
• Certified Service dogs

Event Management take no responsibility for any damage to, loss or theft of a patron’s personal property while at the event.

We reserve the right to revise our terms and conditions, or any part of it, as required.

Prohibited Items include but are not limited:

• Alcohol – any alcohol found at the Event Site will be confiscated and will not be returned and the offending patron(s) ejected from Event Site for the remainder of the Event.
• Commercial takeaway food, other than products from our friends at Domino’s. Domino’s products are allowed into the venue.
• Glass (including jars, bottles, containers, mirrors and perfumes).
• Weapons or explosives of any kind (including potential missiles).
• Illegal substances.
• Animals (excluding service dogs such as guide dogs and police or emergency service dogs).
• Nitrous oxide bulbs and canisters.
• Flares, fireworks, sparklers explosives, or any fire twirling equipment.
• Flammable liquids.
• Musical Instruments – bongos, guitars, flutes, horns and any other type of musical instrument or noise maker.
• Advanced personal vapourizers (or modified APVs) or liquid refills for E-Cigs.
• Air horns, Sound systems, portable speakers or boom boxes.
• Portable laser equipment and pens.
• Sharpies, markers, paint cans or paint pens.
• Drones, kites, sky lanterns or other remote control devices.
• Camping chairs, couches, tables and beach umbrellas
• Umbrellas, parasols, pop up tents, sun shades, marquees or any structures over 1.2m high.
• Anything studded (ie belts, wristbands etc).
• Toy guns, water guns, pocketknives, slingshots or any other toy resembling a weapon.
• Monopods, tripods or attachment sticks (selfie-sticks).
• Torches, lasers and pen lights.
• Skateboards, scooters, wagons, carts, rollerblades, roller skates, bicycles, quad-bikes, segways, hoverboards, self-balancing scooters or any personal motorised vehicles.
• Unauthorised solicitation materials including handbills, flyers, stickers, beach balls, give-aways, samples, or other promotional items.
• Any other item deemed by Event staff (in their discretion) to be dangerous or offensive or potentially dangerous by Event organisers.

We reserve the right to revise our terms and conditions, or any part of it, as required.

This is one where you need to leave your pets at home. No animals are permitted on the event site.

Service animals are permitted.

You can bring home made (non-commercial) snacks, food or picnic items, and any Domino’s commercial food products.

Pass outs will not be issued for the event.