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Created page with " '''Arena Paintball''' is an outdoor paintball venue located at 558 Kimbolton Road in Feilding, Manawatū, New Zealand. The facility offers recreational paintball, organised club sessions, tournament training and competitive speedball events. Arena Paintball has hosted New Zealand and international paintball competitions, including the Arena Cup, Corkill Cup and Arena Five-Man Race Series. The venue is associated with the New Zealand tournament teams ..."
 
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'''Arena Paintball''' is an outdoor [[paintball]] venue located at 558 Kimbolton Road in [[Feilding]], [[Manawatū]], [[New Zealand]]. The facility offers recreational paintball, organised club sessions, tournament training and competitive speedball events.
'''Arena Paintball''' is an outdoor [[paintball]] venue located at 558 Kimbolton Road in [[Feilding]], [[Manawatū]], [[New Zealand]]. The facility provides recreational paintball, organised club sessions, tournament training and competitive speedball events.


Arena Paintball has hosted New Zealand and international paintball competitions, including the Arena Cup, Corkill Cup and Arena Five-Man Race Series.
Arena Paintball has hosted national and international paintball competitions since at least 2021, including the Paintball Factory Cup, Arena Cup, Corkill Cup and Arena Five-Man Race Series.


The venue is associated with the New Zealand tournament teams [[Expendables Feilding]] and [[Manawatu Titans]], and is operated by people involved with the Titans.
The venue is associated with the competitive paintball teams [[Manawatu Titans]] and [[Expendables Feilding]], and operates in conjunction with the paintball equipment retailer [[Paintball Direct NZ]].


== History ==
== History ==
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Arena Paintball was established on the outskirts of Feilding, approximately 20 minutes from Palmerston North.
Arena Paintball was established on the outskirts of Feilding, approximately 20 minutes from Palmerston North.


The exact opening date has not been established, although official tournament records confirm that the venue was operational by April 2021. [1]
The precise opening date has not been established, although tournament registration records confirm that the venue was operational by April 2021. [1]


The facility was developed to accommodate both recreational paintball and organised competitive play.
The facility was developed to accommodate both recreational paintball and organised competitive play, with separate areas for different paintball formats.


Its two playing areas allow visitors to participate in different game formats, while its tournament infrastructure supports five-player speedball and X-Ball competitions.
Arena Paintball's website identifies members of [[Manawatu Titans]] as involved in operating the facility. [2]


Arena Paintball's own website identifies members of Manawatu Titans as operating the venue. [2]
The venue has subsequently hosted regular recreational activities, club days, training sessions and organised tournament events attracting teams from throughout New Zealand and Australia.


=== Business operations ===
=== Business operations ===


Arena Paintball and Paintball Direct are listed as trading names of Custom Blinds Limited, a New Zealand registered company with company number 1666073 and NZBN 9429034647400.
Arena Paintball is listed as a trading name of Custom Blinds Limited, a New Zealand registered company incorporated on 21 July 2005.


Company records identify David Hopkins and Diane Karen Hopkins as directors of Custom Blinds Limited. [3]
The company has New Zealand Business Number 9429034647400 and company registration number 1666073.


Paintball Direct operates a retail paintball equipment business with a showroom at the same Kimbolton Road address as Arena Paintball.
Public company records identify David Hopkins and Diane Karen Hopkins as directors and shareholders of Custom Blinds Limited.


The business sells paintball equipment and supplies and provides online registration and payment facilities for certain Arena Paintball tournaments. [4]
The company's registered trading names include Custom Blinds, Paintball Direct and Arena Paintball. [3]
 
The incorporation date of Custom Blinds Limited should not be confused with the establishment date of Arena Paintball, which has not been independently confirmed.
 
=== Paintball Direct NZ ===
 
Arena Paintball operates in conjunction with [[Paintball Direct NZ]], a New Zealand paintball equipment retailer with a showroom at the same Kimbolton Road address in Feilding.
 
The retailer supplies paintball markers, protective equipment, paintballs, accessories and tournament equipment.
 
Paintball Direct also provides registration and payment facilities for Arena Paintball competitions and offers products associated with the venue, including annual field passes. [4]
 
Paintball Direct NZ was previously operated by [[Steve Corkill]], who was a founding director and shareholder of Paintball Direct NZ Limited when the company was incorporated in May 2008.
 
David Hopkins subsequently became a director of Paintball Direct NZ Limited in August 2021. [5]
 
The retailer's earlier history predates its current association with Arena Paintball.


== Facilities ==
== Facilities ==
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=== Playing fields ===
=== Playing fields ===


Arena Paintball operates two outdoor playing areas described on its website as Airball and Speedball.
Arena Paintball operates two outdoor playing areas, identified on its website as Airball and Speedball.


The Airball field accommodates inflatable paintball bunkers and is used for competitive speedball training and organised tournaments.
The Airball field uses inflatable paintball bunkers and is used for competitive speedball training and organised tournaments.


The separate Speedball area, also described by the venue as the COD Speedball field, supports recreational games and alternative game formats.
The separate Speedball area, also referred to by the venue as the COD Speedball field, provides an alternative playing environment for recreational games and club activities. [2]


Both playing areas are used for organised club activities. [2]
The facilities accommodate both recreational players and experienced tournament competitors.


=== Recreational paintball ===
=== Recreational paintball ===


Arena Paintball offers recreational paintball for individuals and organised groups.
Arena Paintball offers recreational paintball activities for individuals and organised groups.


Its activities include birthday parties, corporate events, social groups and other private bookings.
These include birthday parties, corporate events, social groups and private bookings.


The venue provides rental markers, protective masks and paintballs.
The venue provides rental markers, protective masks and paintballs.


Different equipment packages are available for younger and adult participants, including lighter markers using smaller paintballs for children.
Different equipment packages are offered for children and adults, including lighter markers using smaller-calibre paintballs for younger players. [2]


The venue operates under published safety rules covering protective equipment, field access and game supervision. [5]
The venue requires participants to complete a registration and waiver process before playing.


=== Club days and training ===
=== Club days ===


Arena Paintball provides regular opportunities for players to participate outside private recreational bookings.
Arena Paintball organises regular club days for players wishing to participate outside private recreational bookings.


Its published programme includes club days on the second and final Sunday of each month.
The venue's published programme identifies club days on the second and final Sunday of each month.


The second Sunday generally uses the Airball field, while the final Sunday uses the COD Speedball field.
The second Sunday generally uses the Airball field, while the final Sunday uses the COD Speedball field.


The venue offers rental equipment for new players as well as field access for experienced competitors.
The venue offers rental equipment for new participants and provides opportunities for experienced players to use the facilities for regular practice. [2]
 
Club activities have also been supported through an annual pass programme offered by Paintball Direct NZ.
 
=== Equipment and safety ===
 
Arena Paintball publishes safety rules covering protective equipment, marker use and playing conditions.
 
Its published regulations include:
 
* Mandatory protective goggles and face masks in playing areas
* Barrel sleeves when leaving designated playing areas
* Chronograph testing before participation
* A maximum marker velocity of 285 feet per second for outdoor recreational games
* Mandatory safety orientation before play
* Restrictions on shooting outside designated playing areas
* Prohibition of blind firing and physical contact
 
The venue generally requires recreational players to use markers and paintballs supplied by Arena Paintball.


Arena Paintball has also offered annual passes providing access to designated club and training sessions. [2][6]
An exemption is provided for approved tournament competitors using their own equipment. [6]


== Tournament paintball ==
== Tournament paintball ==
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=== Paintball Factory Cup 2021 ===
=== Paintball Factory Cup 2021 ===


One of the earliest documented tournaments at Arena Paintball was the Paintball Factory Cup, held on 24 and 25 April 2021.
One of the earliest documented tournaments held at Arena Paintball was the Paintball Factory Cup on 24 and 25 April 2021.


The event was registered through PBLeagues and used the Arena Paintball venue at 558 Kimbolton Road.
The event was registered through PBLeagues, identifying Arena Paintball at 558 Kimbolton Road as the venue.


Eight teams were registered in the Open Five-Man division.
Eight teams were registered in the Open Five-Man competition.


The competition used a ten-minute X-Ball format. [1]
The event used a ten-minute X-Ball format. [1]


The event provides independent confirmation of Arena Paintball's operation as a tournament venue by April 2021.
The tournament provides independent confirmation that Arena Paintball was operating as a competitive paintball venue by April 2021.


=== Arena Cup 2021 ===
=== Arena Cup 2021 ===
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Arena Paintball hosted the Arena Cup on 10 and 11 July 2021.
Arena Paintball hosted the Arena Cup on 10 and 11 July 2021.


The competition was advertised as a five-player Race event using a Mercy 3 format.
The competition was organised as a five-player Race event using a Mercy 3 format.


The event was capped at ten teams and featured a full round-robin preliminary stage followed by classification matches.
The published tournament conditions included a ten-team entry limit, round-robin preliminary matches and classification finals.


The original event announcement specified a hopper-plus-four-pod paint limit and a 12.5-balls-per-second ramping limit.
The event used a hopper-plus-four-pod paint allowance and a 12.5-balls-per-second ramping limit.


The organisers also provided a dedicated paid refereeing squad rather than relying on participating players to referee matches. [7]
The organisers provided a dedicated paid refereeing squad rather than requiring participating teams to referee each other's matches. [7]


The Arena Cup was an early example of the venue organising tournament-standard competition for New Zealand teams.
The event formed part of Arena Paintball's developing programme of competitive tournaments.


=== Corkill Cup 2021 ===
=== Corkill Cup 2021 ===
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Arena Paintball hosted the Corkill Cup on 23 and 24 October 2021.
Arena Paintball hosted the Corkill Cup on 23 and 24 October 2021.


The event continued an established tournament tradition honouring Steve Corkill and his family's contributions to paintball in New Zealand.
The event continued a New Zealand tournament tradition honouring [[Steve Corkill]] and his family's contributions to paintball.
 
The original event announcement explicitly identified the competition as a tribute to Corkill and his sons for their involvement in the sport over many years. [7]


The competition was advertised as a two-day five-player Race event.
Steve Corkill was also associated with [[Paintball Direct NZ]], which he previously operated.


Its published playing conditions included:
The 2021 Corkill Cup was advertised as a two-day five-player Race tournament.


* Five-player Race format
The published competition arrangements included:
* Mercy 4 scoring
 
* Ten-minute games
* Five-player Race competition
* NXL ramping at 10.5 balls per second
* NXL ramping at 10.5 balls per second
* Hopper plus two pods of paintballs
* Hopper plus two pods of paintballs
* Dedicated refereeing team
* Round-robin preliminary competition followed by finals
* Round-robin preliminary competition and finals
* Dedicated New Zealand refereeing personnel
* Onsite camping and access to showers and toilets


The organisers also advertised onsite camping and access to showers and toilets. [7]
The tournament was promoted as a Paintball Direct annual event at Arena Paintball.


The event illustrates Arena Paintball's role in hosting established New Zealand tournament traditions as well as newly organised competitions.
The event provides a documented connection between the venue, Paintball Direct and the commemoration of Steve Corkill's contribution to New Zealand paintball.


=== Arena Race Series 2022 ===
=== Arena Race Series 2022 ===


Arena Paintball organised a three-round five-player Race competition during 2022.
Arena Paintball organised a three-round five-player Race Series during 2022.


The scheduled rounds were:
The published calendar included:


* 16–17 April 2022
* Round 1: 16–17 April 2022
* 4–5 June 2022
* Round 2: 4–5 June 2022
* 22–23 October 2022
* Round 3: 22–23 October 2022


The competitions used a five-player Race Mercy 4 format.
The competitions used a five-player Race Mercy 4 format.


The original event announcements limited participation to ten teams per round.
Each round was scheduled as a two-day tournament with a maximum of ten participating teams. [7]


Teams could enter individual rounds or register for all three events at a discounted series price. [7]
The organisers offered entry to individual events or a discounted entry package covering the complete three-round series.


The series provided a structured competition calendar for New Zealand tournament teams.
The competition provided a structured tournament programme for New Zealand competitive paintball teams.


=== Arena Race Tournament 2025 ===
=== Arena Race Tournament 2025 ===


Arena Paintball continued hosting competitive tournaments in 2025.
Arena Paintball continued hosting competitive tournament events during 2025.


Feilding's local events directory advertised an Arena Paintball Race Tournament for 31 May and 1 June 2025. [8]
Feilding's official local events directory advertised an Arena Paintball Race Tournament for 31 May and 1 June 2025.


The listing provides independent local documentation of the facility's continuing tournament activities.
The event was held at the Kimbolton Road venue. [8]
 
The listing provides independent local documentation of the continuation of Arena Paintball's tournament programme.


=== Arena Five-Man Race Series 2026 ===
=== Arena Five-Man Race Series 2026 ===


Arena Paintball organised a three-round five-player Race Series during 2026.
Arena Paintball organised a three-round five-player Race Series for 2026.


The published calendar scheduled events for:
The published competition calendar scheduled:


* Round 1: 4–5 April 2026
* Round 1: 4–5 April 2026
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* Round 3: 24–25 October 2026
* Round 3: 24–25 October 2026


All three events were scheduled at Arena Paintball in Feilding. [9]
The events were scheduled at Arena Paintball in Feilding. [9]
 
The published competition conditions specified ten-minute games using a Mercy 4 format.


The published competition regulations specified ten-minute games using a Mercy 4 format, with a hopper-plus-four-pod paint allowance.
Teams were permitted a maximum of eight rostered players and a hopper-plus-four-pod paint allowance.


The series permitted up to 14 teams per round, with eight players allowed on each roster.
The organisers provided for up to 14 competing teams per round, with round-robin matches followed by elimination finals.


Events included Cup and Plate classification competitions, trophies and medals.
The competitions included Cup and Plate classifications, with trophies and medals awarded to leading teams.


The organisers also provided individual player awards, including Most Valuable Player and Most Improved Player. [10]
Individual awards were also advertised for Most Valuable Player and Most Improved Player. [10]


==== First round ====
==== First round ====


The opening round took place on 4 and 5 April 2026.
The opening round was held on 4 and 5 April 2026.


The event attracted teams from New Zealand and Australia.
The event featured teams from New Zealand and Australia.


Sydney SWAT, an established Australian professional paintball team, competed at the venue and finished second.
Australian professional team Sydney SWAT participated in the tournament, marking an international team appearance at Arena Paintball.


The Australian team subsequently described the tournament as its first visit to New Zealand together as a squad. [11]
The team finished second at the event. [11]


==== Second round ====
==== Second round ====


The second round was held on 11 and 12 July 2026.
The second round took place on 11 and 12 July 2026.
 
The tournament was also promoted as the Matariki Cup.
 
Australian team Cult won the event.


Australian team Cult won the event, with Manawatu Titans finishing second and Sydney SWAT third.
Manawatu Titans finished second, with Sydney SWAT placing third.


The results were documented in contemporary posts by participating teams and the organisers. [11][12]
The results were documented in contemporary announcements from Arena Paintball and participating teams. [11][12]


==== Provisional season standings ====
==== Provisional season standings ====


Arena Paintball published the following season standings after the second round:
Following the second round, Arena Paintball published the following provisional season standings:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
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|}
|}


The standings were published on 12 July 2026 and represented the provisional classification before the final round. [12]
The standings were published on 12 July 2026, following the second round. [12]


The series demonstrated Arena Paintball's role as a cross-Tasman tournament venue, hosting teams from both New Zealand and Australia.
The final round was scheduled for 24 and 25 October 2026.


The final round was scheduled for 24 and 25 October 2026.
The rankings demonstrate participation by both New Zealand and Australian teams and the continued use of separate Manawatu Titans and Expendables team entries.


== Competitive teams ==
== Competitive teams ==
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[[Manawatu Titans]] is a competitive paintball team based in Feilding and associated with Arena Paintball.
[[Manawatu Titans]] is a competitive paintball team based in Feilding and associated with Arena Paintball.


The venue's website identifies Titans members as involved in running its operations.
The venue's official website identifies members of the Titans as involved in its operation. [2]


The team has competed internationally in the United States and Australia, including in the National Xball League's Semi-Pro division.
The team has competed in New Zealand, Australia and the United States, including in the National Xball League's Semi-Pro division.


Manawatu Titans won the Semi-Pro X-Ball division at the 2022 NXL Golden State Open in the United States.
Manawatu Titans won the Semi-Pro X-Ball division at the 2022 NXL Golden State Open in the United States.


The team also participates in Arena Paintball's domestic competition programme.
The team also participates in domestic tournaments hosted at Arena Paintball.


=== Expendables Feilding ===
=== Expendables Feilding ===


[[Expendables Feilding]] is an internationally active New Zealand paintball team founded by David Hopkins.
[[Expendables Feilding]] is a competitive paintball team founded by David Hopkins.
 
The team has competed in the Millennium Series, NXL Europe, Australian Super 7's and Paintball Asia League Series.


Its international achievements include winning the 2017 Millennium Series Semi-Professional championship and 2018 Australian Super 7's Professional season championship.
The team has competed internationally in New Zealand, Australia, Asia, Europe and the United States.


Arena Paintball has publicly described itself as a home venue for Expendables. [12]
Its achievements include winning the 2017 Millennium Series Semi-Professional championship, the 2018 Australian Super 7's Professional season championship and the 2018 NXL Europe Prague Open Professional division.


The team continues to appear separately from Manawatu Titans in competition results.
Arena Paintball has described itself publicly as a home venue for Expendables. [12]


== Equipment and safety ==
Expendables continues to appear in domestic tournament records, including Arena Paintball's five-player Race competitions.
 
Arena Paintball publishes rules for recreational and competitive activities.
 
Its safety procedures require participants to wear protective masks in playing areas and use barrel sleeves when leaving the field.
 
Markers must be chronographed before games, with the venue specifying a maximum velocity of 285 feet per second for outdoor recreational play.
 
The facility generally requires recreational participants to use equipment and paintballs supplied by Arena Paintball.
 
An exemption applies to approved tournament participants using their own competitive equipment. [5]
 
These rules form part of the venue's published operating procedures.


== Role in New Zealand paintball ==
== Role in New Zealand paintball ==


Arena Paintball provides facilities for both recreational participation and organised competitive paintball in the Manawatū region.
Arena Paintball provides facilities for recreational and competitive paintball in the Manawatū region.


Since at least 2021, the venue has hosted tournaments involving New Zealand teams and visiting international competitors.
Since at least 2021, the venue has hosted organised tournaments involving teams from New Zealand and Australia.


Its regular tournament programme includes five-player Race competitions, dedicated refereeing and structured season rankings.
Its tournament programme has included the Paintball Factory Cup, Arena Cup, Corkill Cup and recurring five-player Race Series events.


The venue also provides club days and training opportunities for competitive players.
The facility also provides club days, rental equipment and regular playing opportunities for recreational and competitive participants.


Through its competition programme, Arena Paintball has become a destination for New Zealand and Australian speedball teams.
Its association with Manawatu Titans, Expendables Feilding and Paintball Direct NZ connects the venue with local competitive teams and the wider New Zealand paintball equipment industry.


== See also ==
== See also ==


* [[Paintball Direct NZ]]
* [[Steve Corkill]]
* [[Manawatu Titans]]
* [[Expendables Feilding]]
* [[Expendables Feilding]]
* [[Manawatu Titans]]
* [[Paintball in New Zealand]]
* [[Paintball in New Zealand]]
* [[Paintball in Australia]]
* [[Paintball in Australia]]
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== References ==
== References ==


# [https://pbleagues.com/event/7237 PBLeagues. "Paintball Factory Cup."] Official event registration confirming the Arena Paintball venue, 24–25 April 2021.
# [https://pbleagues.com/event/7237 PBLeagues. "Paintball Factory Cup 2021."] Official event registration confirming Arena Paintball as the venue and identifying eight Open Five-Man teams.
# [https://www.arenapaintball.co.nz/about Arena Paintball. "About Us."] Venue facilities, operations, fields, rental equipment and club-day information.
# [https://www.arenapaintball.co.nz/about Arena Paintball. "About Us."] Official venue information, playing fields, club days, rental equipment and association with Manawatu Titans.
# [https://www.companyhub.nz/companyDetails.cfm?nzbn=9429034647400 Company Hub. "Custom Blinds Limited."] Company record listing Arena Paintball and Paintball Direct as trading names and David and Diane Hopkins as directors.
# [https://www.companyhub.nz/companyDetails.cfm?nzbn=9429034647400 Company Hub. "Custom Blinds Limited."] Company registration, trading names, directors and shareholders.
# [https://www.paintballdirectnz.co.nz/ Paintball Direct NZ.] Retail showroom information, identifying the Kimbolton Road address.
# [https://www.paintballdirectnz.co.nz/ Paintball Direct NZ.] Retail business website confirming the Kimbolton Road showroom and sale of Arena Paintball passes.
# [https://www.arenapaintball.co.nz/rules-game-safety Arena Paintball. "Rules and Game Safety."] Official safety regulations.
# [https://www.companyhub.nz/dirshrSearch.cfm?name=HOPKINS%2C+David Company Hub. "David Hopkins: Directorships and Shareholdings."] Records appointment as director of Paintball Direct NZ Limited on 5 August 2021. See also historical Paintball Direct NZ Limited company records identifying Stephen Thomas Corkill and Rosmarie Corkill as founding directors.
# [https://www.paintballdirectnz.co.nz/arena-paintball-annual-pass-2026/ Paintball Direct. "Arena Paintball Annual Pass 2026."] Club participation and field access programme.
# [https://www.arenapaintball.co.nz/rules-game-safety Arena Paintball. "Rules and Game Safety."] Official safety regulations and recreational equipment restrictions.
# [https://www.arenapaintball.co.nz/events Arena Paintball. "Events."] Historical event listings for the 2021 Arena Cup, Corkill Cup and 2022 Arena Race Series.
# [https://www.arenapaintball.co.nz/events Arena Paintball. "Events."] Historical tournament listings, including the Paintball Factory Cup, Arena Cup, Corkill Cup and Arena Race Series.
# [https://feilding.co.nz/articles/whats-on/arena-paintball-race-tournament.html Feilding.co.nz. "Arena Paintball Race Tournament."] Local event listing for 31 May–1 June 2025.
# [https://feilding.co.nz/articles/whats-on/arena-paintball-race-tournament.html Feilding and District Promotion. "Arena Paintball Race Tournament."] Local event listing for 31 May–1 June 2025.
# [https://www.arenapaintball.co.nz/events Arena Paintball. "Arena Five-Man Race Series 2026."] Official calendar showing the three scheduled events.
# [https://www.arenapaintball.co.nz/events Arena Paintball. "Arena Five-Man Race Series 2026."] Published competition dates and venue.
# [https://www.paintballdirectnz.co.nz/2026-race-events/ Paintball Direct. "2026 Race Events."] Competition format, roster limitations, entry conditions and prize information.
# [https://www.paintballdirectnz.co.nz/2026-race-events/ Paintball Direct NZ. "2026 Race Events."] Competition format, team registration conditions, player limits and prizes.
# [https://www.findglocal.com/AU/Hawkesbury/152878098111462/Sydney-S.W.A.T. Sydney SWAT. Historical team updates.] Contemporary accounts of the April and July 2026 Arena Race Series rounds.
# [https://www.findglocal.com/AU/Hawkesbury/152878098111462/Sydney-S.W.A.T. Sydney SWAT. Historical team updates.] Contemporary reporting from the April and July 2026 Arena Race Series.
# [https://www.findglocal.com/NZ/Feilding/102027051785091/Arena-Paintball Arena Paintball. Historical social media updates.] Tournament results and provisional standings published 12 July 2026.
# [https://www.findglocal.com/NZ/Feilding/102027051785091/Arena-Paintball Arena Paintball. Historical public updates.] Includes July 2026 Matariki Cup results and provisional season standings.


== External links ==
== External links ==

Revision as of 17:42, 14 October 2026

Arena Paintball is an outdoor paintball venue located at 558 Kimbolton Road in Feilding, Manawatū, New Zealand. The facility provides recreational paintball, organised club sessions, tournament training and competitive speedball events.

Arena Paintball has hosted national and international paintball competitions since at least 2021, including the Paintball Factory Cup, Arena Cup, Corkill Cup and Arena Five-Man Race Series.

The venue is associated with the competitive paintball teams Manawatu Titans and Expendables Feilding, and operates in conjunction with the paintball equipment retailer Paintball Direct NZ.

History

Establishment

Arena Paintball was established on the outskirts of Feilding, approximately 20 minutes from Palmerston North.

The precise opening date has not been established, although tournament registration records confirm that the venue was operational by April 2021. [1]

The facility was developed to accommodate both recreational paintball and organised competitive play, with separate areas for different paintball formats.

Arena Paintball's website identifies members of Manawatu Titans as involved in operating the facility. [2]

The venue has subsequently hosted regular recreational activities, club days, training sessions and organised tournament events attracting teams from throughout New Zealand and Australia.

Business operations

Arena Paintball is listed as a trading name of Custom Blinds Limited, a New Zealand registered company incorporated on 21 July 2005.

The company has New Zealand Business Number 9429034647400 and company registration number 1666073.

Public company records identify David Hopkins and Diane Karen Hopkins as directors and shareholders of Custom Blinds Limited.

The company's registered trading names include Custom Blinds, Paintball Direct and Arena Paintball. [3]

The incorporation date of Custom Blinds Limited should not be confused with the establishment date of Arena Paintball, which has not been independently confirmed.

Paintball Direct NZ

Arena Paintball operates in conjunction with Paintball Direct NZ, a New Zealand paintball equipment retailer with a showroom at the same Kimbolton Road address in Feilding.

The retailer supplies paintball markers, protective equipment, paintballs, accessories and tournament equipment.

Paintball Direct also provides registration and payment facilities for Arena Paintball competitions and offers products associated with the venue, including annual field passes. [4]

Paintball Direct NZ was previously operated by Steve Corkill, who was a founding director and shareholder of Paintball Direct NZ Limited when the company was incorporated in May 2008.

David Hopkins subsequently became a director of Paintball Direct NZ Limited in August 2021. [5]

The retailer's earlier history predates its current association with Arena Paintball.

Facilities

Playing fields

Arena Paintball operates two outdoor playing areas, identified on its website as Airball and Speedball.

The Airball field uses inflatable paintball bunkers and is used for competitive speedball training and organised tournaments.

The separate Speedball area, also referred to by the venue as the COD Speedball field, provides an alternative playing environment for recreational games and club activities. [2]

The facilities accommodate both recreational players and experienced tournament competitors.

Recreational paintball

Arena Paintball offers recreational paintball activities for individuals and organised groups.

These include birthday parties, corporate events, social groups and private bookings.

The venue provides rental markers, protective masks and paintballs.

Different equipment packages are offered for children and adults, including lighter markers using smaller-calibre paintballs for younger players. [2]

The venue requires participants to complete a registration and waiver process before playing.

Club days

Arena Paintball organises regular club days for players wishing to participate outside private recreational bookings.

The venue's published programme identifies club days on the second and final Sunday of each month.

The second Sunday generally uses the Airball field, while the final Sunday uses the COD Speedball field.

The venue offers rental equipment for new participants and provides opportunities for experienced players to use the facilities for regular practice. [2]

Club activities have also been supported through an annual pass programme offered by Paintball Direct NZ.

Equipment and safety

Arena Paintball publishes safety rules covering protective equipment, marker use and playing conditions.

Its published regulations include:

  • Mandatory protective goggles and face masks in playing areas
  • Barrel sleeves when leaving designated playing areas
  • Chronograph testing before participation
  • A maximum marker velocity of 285 feet per second for outdoor recreational games
  • Mandatory safety orientation before play
  • Restrictions on shooting outside designated playing areas
  • Prohibition of blind firing and physical contact

The venue generally requires recreational players to use markers and paintballs supplied by Arena Paintball.

An exemption is provided for approved tournament competitors using their own equipment. [6]

Tournament paintball

Paintball Factory Cup 2021

One of the earliest documented tournaments held at Arena Paintball was the Paintball Factory Cup on 24 and 25 April 2021.

The event was registered through PBLeagues, identifying Arena Paintball at 558 Kimbolton Road as the venue.

Eight teams were registered in the Open Five-Man competition.

The event used a ten-minute X-Ball format. [1]

The tournament provides independent confirmation that Arena Paintball was operating as a competitive paintball venue by April 2021.

Arena Cup 2021

Arena Paintball hosted the Arena Cup on 10 and 11 July 2021.

The competition was organised as a five-player Race event using a Mercy 3 format.

The published tournament conditions included a ten-team entry limit, round-robin preliminary matches and classification finals.

The event used a hopper-plus-four-pod paint allowance and a 12.5-balls-per-second ramping limit.

The organisers provided a dedicated paid refereeing squad rather than requiring participating teams to referee each other's matches. [7]

The event formed part of Arena Paintball's developing programme of competitive tournaments.

Corkill Cup 2021

Arena Paintball hosted the Corkill Cup on 23 and 24 October 2021.

The event continued a New Zealand tournament tradition honouring Steve Corkill and his family's contributions to paintball.

The original event announcement explicitly identified the competition as a tribute to Corkill and his sons for their involvement in the sport over many years. [7]

Steve Corkill was also associated with Paintball Direct NZ, which he previously operated.

The 2021 Corkill Cup was advertised as a two-day five-player Race tournament.

The published competition arrangements included:

  • Five-player Race competition
  • NXL ramping at 10.5 balls per second
  • Hopper plus two pods of paintballs
  • Round-robin preliminary competition followed by finals
  • Dedicated New Zealand refereeing personnel
  • Onsite camping and access to showers and toilets

The tournament was promoted as a Paintball Direct annual event at Arena Paintball.

The event provides a documented connection between the venue, Paintball Direct and the commemoration of Steve Corkill's contribution to New Zealand paintball.

Arena Race Series 2022

Arena Paintball organised a three-round five-player Race Series during 2022.

The published calendar included:

  • Round 1: 16–17 April 2022
  • Round 2: 4–5 June 2022
  • Round 3: 22–23 October 2022

The competitions used a five-player Race Mercy 4 format.

Each round was scheduled as a two-day tournament with a maximum of ten participating teams. [7]

The organisers offered entry to individual events or a discounted entry package covering the complete three-round series.

The competition provided a structured tournament programme for New Zealand competitive paintball teams.

Arena Race Tournament 2025

Arena Paintball continued hosting competitive tournament events during 2025.

Feilding's official local events directory advertised an Arena Paintball Race Tournament for 31 May and 1 June 2025.

The event was held at the Kimbolton Road venue. [8]

The listing provides independent local documentation of the continuation of Arena Paintball's tournament programme.

Arena Five-Man Race Series 2026

Arena Paintball organised a three-round five-player Race Series for 2026.

The published competition calendar scheduled:

  • Round 1: 4–5 April 2026
  • Round 2: 11–12 July 2026
  • Round 3: 24–25 October 2026

The events were scheduled at Arena Paintball in Feilding. [9]

The published competition conditions specified ten-minute games using a Mercy 4 format.

Teams were permitted a maximum of eight rostered players and a hopper-plus-four-pod paint allowance.

The organisers provided for up to 14 competing teams per round, with round-robin matches followed by elimination finals.

The competitions included Cup and Plate classifications, with trophies and medals awarded to leading teams.

Individual awards were also advertised for Most Valuable Player and Most Improved Player. [10]

First round

The opening round was held on 4 and 5 April 2026.

The event featured teams from New Zealand and Australia.

Australian professional team Sydney SWAT participated in the tournament, marking an international team appearance at Arena Paintball.

The team finished second at the event. [11]

Second round

The second round took place on 11 and 12 July 2026.

The tournament was also promoted as the Matariki Cup.

Australian team Cult won the event.

Manawatu Titans finished second, with Sydney SWAT placing third.

The results were documented in contemporary announcements from Arena Paintball and participating teams. [11][12]

Provisional season standings

Following the second round, Arena Paintball published the following provisional season standings:

Position Team Points
1 Manawatu Titans 386
2 Sydney SWAT 359
3 Cult 350
4 Expendables 303
5 Reavers 301
6 Lumberjacks 273
7 BOP Blast 262
8 Ballistics Unit 1 261
9 Surge 251
10 Misfits 208

The standings were published on 12 July 2026, following the second round. [12]

The final round was scheduled for 24 and 25 October 2026.

The rankings demonstrate participation by both New Zealand and Australian teams and the continued use of separate Manawatu Titans and Expendables team entries.

Competitive teams

Manawatu Titans

Manawatu Titans is a competitive paintball team based in Feilding and associated with Arena Paintball.

The venue's official website identifies members of the Titans as involved in its operation. [2]

The team has competed in New Zealand, Australia and the United States, including in the National Xball League's Semi-Pro division.

Manawatu Titans won the Semi-Pro X-Ball division at the 2022 NXL Golden State Open in the United States.

The team also participates in domestic tournaments hosted at Arena Paintball.

Expendables Feilding

Expendables Feilding is a competitive paintball team founded by David Hopkins.

The team has competed internationally in New Zealand, Australia, Asia, Europe and the United States.

Its achievements include winning the 2017 Millennium Series Semi-Professional championship, the 2018 Australian Super 7's Professional season championship and the 2018 NXL Europe Prague Open Professional division.

Arena Paintball has described itself publicly as a home venue for Expendables. [12]

Expendables continues to appear in domestic tournament records, including Arena Paintball's five-player Race competitions.

Role in New Zealand paintball

Arena Paintball provides facilities for recreational and competitive paintball in the Manawatū region.

Since at least 2021, the venue has hosted organised tournaments involving teams from New Zealand and Australia.

Its tournament programme has included the Paintball Factory Cup, Arena Cup, Corkill Cup and recurring five-player Race Series events.

The facility also provides club days, rental equipment and regular playing opportunities for recreational and competitive participants.

Its association with Manawatu Titans, Expendables Feilding and Paintball Direct NZ connects the venue with local competitive teams and the wider New Zealand paintball equipment industry.

See also

References

  1. PBLeagues. "Paintball Factory Cup 2021." Official event registration confirming Arena Paintball as the venue and identifying eight Open Five-Man teams.
  2. Arena Paintball. "About Us." Official venue information, playing fields, club days, rental equipment and association with Manawatu Titans.
  3. Company Hub. "Custom Blinds Limited." Company registration, trading names, directors and shareholders.
  4. Paintball Direct NZ. Retail business website confirming the Kimbolton Road showroom and sale of Arena Paintball passes.
  5. Company Hub. "David Hopkins: Directorships and Shareholdings." Records appointment as director of Paintball Direct NZ Limited on 5 August 2021. See also historical Paintball Direct NZ Limited company records identifying Stephen Thomas Corkill and Rosmarie Corkill as founding directors.
  6. Arena Paintball. "Rules and Game Safety." Official safety regulations and recreational equipment restrictions.
  7. Arena Paintball. "Events." Historical tournament listings, including the Paintball Factory Cup, Arena Cup, Corkill Cup and Arena Race Series.
  8. Feilding and District Promotion. "Arena Paintball Race Tournament." Local event listing for 31 May–1 June 2025.
  9. Arena Paintball. "Arena Five-Man Race Series 2026." Published competition dates and venue.
  10. Paintball Direct NZ. "2026 Race Events." Competition format, team registration conditions, player limits and prizes.
  11. Sydney SWAT. Historical team updates. Contemporary reporting from the April and July 2026 Arena Race Series.
  12. Arena Paintball. Historical public updates. Includes July 2026 Matariki Cup results and provisional season standings.
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