The Cook Islands Beach Games return in 2026 as a high‑energy celebration of sport, music, and community on the white sands of Rarotonga. Launched by the Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC), this two‑week, multi‑sport festival brings beach football, netball, volleyball, basketball 3x3, air badminton, touch, and handball to purpose‑built courts at Nikao and the Edgewater Resort, backed by DJ sets, opening and closing ceremonies, and family‑friendly fun. With previous editions running in early to mid‑January and the 2025 programme held over two weeks across Rarotonga’s west coast, 2026 will again deliver long tropical days of competition and long island nights of music and social events.
Confirmed format and likely 2026 timing
The official Cook Islands tourism page describes the Beach Games as a CISNOC‑run, two‑week competition staged at Nikao Beach Courts and the Edgewater Resort & Spa, featuring seven beach sports and festival elements like live DJs, kids’ activities, and ceremonies. The 2025 edition was announced for January 4–18 with five headline sports, building on the full seven‑sport slate showcased in 2024. Expect the 2026 games to follow this early‑January window, with final dates released by CISNOC on social channels and the tourism calendar closer to the New Year.
- Venue footprint: Nikao Beach Courts beside CISNOC Olympic House, plus Edgewater Resort & Spa beachfront courts.
- Sports menu: Beach handball, touch, netball, air badminton, beach football, 3x3 basketball, beach volleyball—age groups Open, U18, U14 where applicable.
- Festival extras: Live DJs, kids’ carnival, R18 white party, and opening/closing ceremonies.
CISNOC’s Beach Games sit within a bigger island sport calendar that now includes the national Cook Islands Games and global pathways—highlighted by Cook Islands beach handball’s qualification breakthrough targeting the 2026 Youth Olympic Games. That momentum will feed directly into Beach Games team entries and crowd energy.
How competition days unfold
- Morning heats: Youth and Open pool matches start once the sun lifts; shaded seating and water stations set the tone for a relaxed, social village.
- Golden‑hour finals: Medal games often hit in late afternoon when the light is soft, the breeze is kind, and the stands are packed.
- Nights on the sand: DJs spin at the festival hub, food stalls serve island favorites, and ceremony nights bookend the fortnight.
Rotating schedules spread finals across the two weeks so every sport gets its spotlight. Watch CISNOC’s daily grid to time your beach sessions for must‑see medal matches.
Registration, fees guidance, and divisions
Team registration opens in the run‑up to the holidays, with CISNOC posting the sport‑by‑sport schedule and entry details on social. Previous editions invited team managers to email the sports development unit to secure slots quickly, with age divisions in U14/U18/Open depending on the sport. Fees are announced per discipline and division upon registration; they typically cover officiating, venue costs, and festival infrastructure.
- How to enter: Team managers email CISNOC’s SDU (listed on the event posts) to receive registration packs and pay fees.
- What’s included: Court access, match officiating, medals/podium ceremony for top teams, and festival access on competition days.
Spectators: where to sit and what to bring
- Best seats: Shade structures at Nikao Beach Courts for midday matches; beach blankets and low chairs for Edgewater’s sandside courts.
- Essentials: Reef‑safe sunscreen, hat, refillable bottle, small towel, and flip‑flops that handle hot sand.
- Food: Local stalls serve ika mata, fish sandwiches, fruit smoothies, and island plates—bring small cash for quick service.
Finals draw big crowds—arrive early to claim rail spots, especially for volleyball and 3x3 basketball medal matches.
Why the Beach Games hit different
Rarotonga’s west coast sets a postcard scene with turquoise lagoons, palm shade, and short distances between courts, hotels, and eateries. CISNOC’s beach format compresses competition into festivals of skill, athleticism, and island music, creating a village feel where players and families mingle freely. It is sport without walls: paddle out at lunch, cheer under sunset, then dance barefoot after the podiums.
Travel planning for January 2026
- Flights: Book Air New Zealand or regional connections to Rarotonga (RAR); January is peak season—lock flights and rooms early.
- Stays: Edgewater Resort & Spa sits on‑site for a zero‑commute tournament week; properties along the west coast (Arorangi to Nikao) keep you minutes from both venues.
- Getting around: Scooters and compact cars are handy; the island bus loop also connects the west corridor.
- Weather: Expect warm, humid days with brief showers. Hydrate and take shade breaks between heats.
Athlete checklist
- Sand‑friendly footwear or barefoot tolerance drills; consider sand socks for midday heat.
- Hydration plan: Electrolytes between matches; cooled towels help.
- Recovery: Light stretching, ocean dips (watch for coral heads), and early nights on finals days.
- Team kit: Lightweight jerseys, spare pareu for shade, and a dry bag for valuables.
Cultural add‑ons around your schedule
- Muri Night Market (non‑match nights) for street food.
- Punanga Nui Market (Saturday morning) for crafts and local produce.
- Sunset in Arorangi, dinner in Avarua, and a lagoon cruise on your rest day.
Big‑picture impact
The Beach Games have grown from a 2020 launch into a staple that supports participation across youth and open divisions, introduces new formats like air badminton and 3x3, and feeds national team pipelines, especially for beach handball and beach volleyball. The party‑plus‑podium format keeps families engaged and sponsors visible while strengthening pathways to regional and Youth Olympic competition.
How to follow updates
- Bookmark the Cook Islands tourism event page for the Beach Games overview and links.
- Follow Cook Islands Sports/CISNOC social posts for registration drops, match grids, and festival nights.
- Scan Cook Islands News for sport‑by‑sport previews and finals recaps.
Ready to spike, sprint, or simply soak up the island’s best sporting fortnight? Pack light, bring your team spirit, and meet us courtside in Rarotonga for the Cook Islands Beach Games 2026.
Verified Information at a Glance
- Event: Cook Islands Beach Games (CISNOC)
- Likely Dates: Early to mid‑January 2026; 2025 ran Jan 4–18 and prior editions spanned two weeks in January
- Venues: Nikao Beach Courts (by CISNOC Olympic House) and Edgewater Resort & Spa beachfront courts
- Sports: Beach handball, touch, netball, air badminton, football, 3x3 basketball, volleyball (youth and open divisions)
- Festival Elements: Live DJs, kids’ carnival, R18 white party, opening/closing ceremonies
- Registration: Teams register via email to CISNOC SDU; schedules posted on social channels
- 2025 Benchmark: Two‑week programme Jan 4–18 featuring five headline sports; confirms January cadence
- Pathways Note: Cook Islands men’s beach handball targeting 2026 Youth Olympic Games, boosting Beach Games profile
