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| | '''Arena Paintball''' is an outdoor [[paintball]] venue at 558 Kimbolton Road, [[Feilding]], New Zealand. It provides recreational paintball, club sessions and tournament facilities, and hosts a recurring five-player race programme.[1][2] |
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| '''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.
| | The venue is associated with [[Manawatu Titans]], [[Expendables Feilding]] and the equipment retailer [[Paintball Direct NZ]].[1][3][4] |
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| 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.
| | == Facilities and activities == |
| | Arena’s website identifies two playing areas: an Airball field and a separate Speedball field, also described as the COD field. The venue offers private group bookings, rental equipment and equipment using smaller paintballs for children.[1] |
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| 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]].
| | Its published club programme provides sessions on the second and final Sundays of each month, using the Airball and COD fields respectively.[1] |
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| == History ==
| | The venue’s website identifies members of Manawatu Titans as involved in its operation.[1] Paintball Direct NZ advertises a showroom at the same Kimbolton Road address and handles tournament registrations and Arena annual passes.[4] |
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| === Establishment === | | == Tournament history == |
| | | === 2021 events === |
| Arena Paintball was established on the outskirts of Feilding, approximately 20 minutes from Palmerston North.
| | Arena’s published calendar listed three two-day tournaments during 2021:[2] |
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| The precise opening date has not been established, although tournament registration records confirm that the venue was operational by April 2021. [1]
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| The facility was developed to accommodate both recreational paintball and organised competitive play, with separate areas for different paintball formats.
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| Arena Paintball's website identifies members of [[Manawatu Titans]] as involved in operating the facility. [2]
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| The venue has subsequently hosted regular recreational activities, club days, training sessions and organised tournament events attracting teams from throughout New Zealand and Australia.
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| === Business operations ===
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| Arena Paintball is listed as a trading name of Custom Blinds Limited, a New Zealand registered company incorporated on 21 July 2005.
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| The company has New Zealand Business Number 9429034647400 and company registration number 1666073.
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| Public company records identify David Hopkins and Diane Karen Hopkins as directors and shareholders of Custom Blinds Limited.
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| The company's registered trading names include Custom Blinds, Paintball Direct and Arena Paintball. [3]
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| The incorporation date of Custom Blinds Limited should not be confused with the establishment date of Arena Paintball, which has not been independently confirmed.
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| === Paintball Direct NZ === | |
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| 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.
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| The retailer supplies paintball markers, protective equipment, paintballs, accessories and tournament equipment.
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| Paintball Direct also provides registration and payment facilities for Arena Paintball competitions and offers products associated with the venue, including annual field passes. [4]
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| 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.
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| David Hopkins subsequently became a director of Paintball Direct NZ Limited in August 2021. [5]
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| The retailer's earlier history predates its current association with Arena Paintball.
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| == Facilities ==
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| === Playing fields ===
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| Arena Paintball operates two outdoor playing areas, identified on its website as Airball and Speedball.
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| The Airball field uses inflatable paintball bunkers and is used for competitive speedball training and organised tournaments.
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| 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]
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| The facilities accommodate both recreational players and experienced tournament competitors.
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| === Recreational paintball ===
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| Arena Paintball offers recreational paintball activities for individuals and organised groups.
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| These include birthday parties, corporate events, social groups and private bookings.
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| The venue provides rental markers, protective masks and paintballs.
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| Different equipment packages are offered for children and adults, including lighter markers using smaller-calibre paintballs for younger players. [2]
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| The venue requires participants to complete a registration and waiver process before playing.
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| === Club days ===
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| Arena Paintball organises regular club days for players wishing to participate outside private recreational bookings.
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| The venue's published programme identifies club days on the second and final Sunday of each month.
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| The second Sunday generally uses the Airball field, while the final Sunday uses the COD Speedball field.
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| The venue offers rental equipment for new participants and provides opportunities for experienced players to use the facilities for regular practice. [2]
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| Club activities have also been supported through an annual pass programme offered by Paintball Direct NZ.
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| === Equipment and safety ===
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| Arena Paintball publishes safety rules covering protective equipment, marker use and playing conditions.
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| Its published regulations include:
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| * Mandatory protective goggles and face masks in playing areas
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| * Barrel sleeves when leaving designated playing areas
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| * Chronograph testing before participation
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| * A maximum marker velocity of 285 feet per second for outdoor recreational games
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| * Mandatory safety orientation before play
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| * Restrictions on shooting outside designated playing areas
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| * Prohibition of blind firing and physical contact
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| The venue generally requires recreational players to use markers and paintballs supplied by Arena Paintball.
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| An exemption is provided for approved tournament competitors using their own equipment. [6]
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| == Tournament paintball ==
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| === Paintball Factory Cup 2021 ===
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| One of the earliest documented tournaments held at Arena Paintball was the Paintball Factory Cup on 24 and 25 April 2021.
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| The event was registered through PBLeagues, identifying Arena Paintball at 558 Kimbolton Road as the venue.
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| Eight teams were registered in the Open Five-Man competition.
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| The event used a ten-minute X-Ball format. [1]
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| The tournament provides independent confirmation that Arena Paintball was operating as a competitive paintball venue by April 2021.
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| === Arena Cup 2021 ===
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| Arena Paintball hosted the Arena Cup on 10 and 11 July 2021.
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| The competition was organised as a five-player Race event using a Mercy 3 format.
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| The published tournament conditions included a ten-team entry limit, round-robin preliminary matches and classification finals.
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| The event used a hopper-plus-four-pod paint allowance and a 12.5-balls-per-second ramping limit.
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| The organisers provided a dedicated paid refereeing squad rather than requiring participating teams to referee each other's matches. [7]
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| The event formed part of Arena Paintball's developing programme of competitive tournaments.
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| === Corkill Cup 2021 ===
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| Arena Paintball hosted the Corkill Cup on 23 and 24 October 2021.
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| The event continued a New Zealand tournament tradition honouring [[Steve Corkill]] and his family's contributions to paintball.
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| 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]
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| Steve Corkill was also associated with [[Paintball Direct NZ]], which he previously operated.
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| The 2021 Corkill Cup was advertised as a two-day five-player Race tournament.
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| The published competition arrangements included:
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| * Five-player Race competition
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| * NXL ramping at 10.5 balls per second
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| * Hopper plus two pods of paintballs
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| * Round-robin preliminary competition followed by finals
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| * Dedicated New Zealand refereeing personnel
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| * Onsite camping and access to showers and toilets
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| The tournament was promoted as a Paintball Direct annual event at Arena Paintball.
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| The event provides a documented connection between the venue, Paintball Direct and the commemoration of Steve Corkill's contribution to New Zealand paintball.
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| === Arena Race Series 2022 ===
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| Arena Paintball organised a three-round five-player Race Series during 2022.
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| The published calendar included:
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| * Round 1: 16–17 April 2022
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| * Round 2: 4–5 June 2022
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| * Round 3: 22–23 October 2022
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| The competitions used a five-player Race Mercy 4 format.
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| Each round was scheduled as a two-day tournament with a maximum of ten participating teams. [7]
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| The organisers offered entry to individual events or a discounted entry package covering the complete three-round series.
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| The competition provided a structured tournament programme for New Zealand competitive paintball teams.
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| === Arena Race Tournament 2025 ===
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| Arena Paintball continued hosting competitive tournament events during 2025.
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| Feilding's official local events directory advertised an Arena Paintball Race Tournament for 31 May and 1 June 2025.
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| The event was held at the Kimbolton Road venue. [8]
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| The listing provides independent local documentation of the continuation of Arena Paintball's tournament programme.
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| === Arena Five-Man Race Series 2026 ===
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| Arena Paintball organised a three-round five-player Race Series for 2026.
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| The published competition calendar scheduled:
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| * Round 1: 4–5 April 2026
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| * Round 2: 11–12 July 2026
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| * Round 3: 24–25 October 2026
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| The events were scheduled at Arena Paintball in Feilding. [9]
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| The published competition conditions specified ten-minute games using a Mercy 4 format.
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| Teams were permitted a maximum of eight rostered players and a hopper-plus-four-pod paint allowance.
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| The organisers provided for up to 14 competing teams per round, with round-robin matches followed by elimination finals.
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| The competitions included Cup and Plate classifications, with trophies and medals awarded to leading teams.
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| Individual awards were also advertised for Most Valuable Player and Most Improved Player. [10]
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| ==== First round ====
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| The opening round was held on 4 and 5 April 2026.
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| The event featured teams from New Zealand and Australia.
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| Australian professional team Sydney SWAT participated in the tournament, marking an international team appearance at Arena Paintball.
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| The team finished second at the event. [11]
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| ==== Second round ====
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| The second round took place on 11 and 12 July 2026.
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| The tournament was also promoted as the Matariki Cup.
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| Australian team Cult won the event.
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| Manawatu Titans finished second, with Sydney SWAT placing third.
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| The results were documented in contemporary announcements from Arena Paintball and participating teams. [11][12]
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| ==== Provisional season standings ====
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| Following the second round, Arena Paintball published the following provisional season standings:
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| {| class="wikitable" | | {| class="wikitable" |
| ! Position | | ! Event !! Advertised dates |
| ! Team | |
| ! Points | |
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| | 1
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| | Manawatu Titans
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| | 386
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| |-
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| | 2
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| | Sydney SWAT
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| | 359
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| |-
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| | 3
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| | Cult
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| | 350
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| |-
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| | 4
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| | Expendables
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| | 303
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| |-
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| | 5
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| | Reavers
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| | 301
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| |-
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| | 6
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| | Lumberjacks
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| | 273
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| |-
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| | 7
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| | BOP Blast
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| | 262
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| |- | | |- |
| | 8 | | | [[2021 Paintball Factory Cup]] || 24–25 April 2021 |
| | Ballistics Unit 1 | |
| | 261 | |
| |- | | |- |
| | 9 | | | [[2021 Arena Cup]] || 10–11 July 2021 |
| | Surge | |
| | 251 | |
| |- | | |- |
| | 10 | | | [[2021 Corkill Cup]] || 23–24 October 2021 |
| | Misfits | |
| | 208 | |
| |} | | |} |
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| The standings were published on 12 July 2026, following the second round. [12] | | The Corkill Cup announcement described the event as a tribute to [[Steve Corkill]] and his sons for their contributions to paintball.[2] |
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| The final round was scheduled for 24 and 25 October 2026.
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| The rankings demonstrate participation by both New Zealand and Australian teams and the continued use of separate Manawatu Titans and Expendables team entries.
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| == Competitive teams ==
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| === Manawatu Titans ===
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| [[Manawatu Titans]] is a competitive paintball team based in Feilding and associated with Arena Paintball.
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| The venue's official website identifies members of the Titans as involved in its operation. [2]
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| The team has competed in New Zealand, Australia and the United States, including in the National Xball League's Semi-Pro division.
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| Manawatu Titans won the Semi-Pro X-Ball division at the 2022 NXL Golden State Open in the United States.
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| The team also participates in domestic tournaments hosted at Arena Paintball.
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| === Expendables Feilding ===
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| [[Expendables Feilding]] is a competitive paintball team founded by David Hopkins. | |
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| The team has competed internationally in New Zealand, Australia, Asia, Europe and the United States.
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| 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.
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| Arena Paintball has described itself publicly as a home venue for Expendables. [12]
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| Expendables continues to appear in domestic tournament records, including Arena Paintball's five-player Race competitions.
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| == Role in New Zealand paintball ==
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| Arena Paintball provides facilities for recreational and competitive paintball in the Manawatū region.
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| Since at least 2021, the venue has hosted organised tournaments involving teams from New Zealand and Australia.
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| Its tournament programme has included the Paintball Factory Cup, Arena Cup, Corkill Cup and recurring five-player Race Series events.
| | === Recurring race programme === |
| | Arena advertised a three-round five-player race series in 2022, with events in April, June and October.[2] |
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| The facility also provides club days, rental equipment and regular playing opportunities for recreational and competitive participants.
| | A further three-round calendar was published for 2023. A contemporary interview with [[Ralph Tsing]] documented the October event at Arena, identifying [[David Hopkins]] as its organiser. Tsing reported that Expendables won the tournament and overall series, with [[Ballistics Unit]] second at the October event and [[Phoenix Tahiti]] third.[3][5] |
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| 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.
| | Paintball Direct subsequently advertised three-event programmes at Arena for both 2024 and 2025.[6][7] Feilding’s local events directory independently listed the 31 May–1 June 2025 tournament.[8] |
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| == See also ==
| | The 2026 calendar scheduled rounds for 4–5 April, 11–12 July and 24–25 October.[2] |
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| * [[Paintball Direct NZ]]
| | == Related tournament articles == |
| * [[Steve Corkill]] | | * [[2022 Arena 5 Man Race Series]] |
| * [[Manawatu Titans]] | | * [[2023 Arena 5 Man Race Series]] |
| * [[Expendables Feilding]] | | * [[2024 Arena Paintball Race Events]] |
| * [[Paintball in New Zealand]] | | * [[2025 Arena Paintball Race Events]] |
| * [[Paintball in Australia]] | | * [[2026 Arena Paintball Easter Race]] |
| * [[New Zealand Race Series]] | | * [[2026 Arena Paintball Matariki Race]] |
| * [[Super 7's Paintball Series]] | | * [[2026 Arena Paintball Labour Day Cup]] |
| * [[National Xball League]]
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| == References == | | == References == |
| | | # [https://www.arenapaintball.co.nz/about Arena Paintball — About Us]. |
| # [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/events Arena Paintball — Events]. |
| # [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://pf.airtahitinui.com/actualites/ambassador/paintball-ralph-tsing-enchaine-les-bons-resultats Air Tahiti Nui — Paintball : Ralph Tsing enchaine les bons résultats, 31 October 2023]. |
| # [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 — Official website, showroom information and Arena products]. |
| # [https://www.paintballdirectnz.co.nz/ Paintball Direct NZ.] Retail business website confirming the Kimbolton Road showroom and sale of Arena Paintball passes. | | # [https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=515284927291133&type=3 Arena Paintball — 2023 tournament calendar, Facebook, 6 December 2022]. |
| # [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://web.archive.org/web/20240814075618/https://paintballdirectnz.co.nz/2024-race-events-sold-out/ Paintball Direct — 2024 Race Events SOLD OUT, archived 14 August 2024]. |
| # [https://www.arenapaintball.co.nz/rules-game-safety Arena Paintball. "Rules and Game Safety."] Official safety regulations and recreational equipment restrictions. | | # [https://www.paintballdirectnz.co.nz/2025-race-events/ Paintball Direct — 2025 Race Events]. |
| # [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 & District Promotion — Arena Paintball Race Tournament, 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."] Published competition dates and venue.
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| # [https://www.paintballdirectnz.co.nz/2026-race-events/ Paintball Direct NZ. "2026 Race Events."] Competition format, team registration conditions, player limits and prizes.
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| # [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.
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| # [https://www.findglocal.com/NZ/Feilding/102027051785091/Arena-Paintball Arena Paintball. Historical public updates.] Includes July 2026 Matariki Cup results and provisional season standings.
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| == External links == | | == External links == |
| | | * [https://www.arenapaintball.co.nz/ Official website] |
| * [https://www.arenapaintball.co.nz/ Arena Paintball official website] | | * [https://www.facebook.com/ArenaPaintballNZ/ Official Facebook page] |
| * [https://www.facebook.com/ArenaPaintballNZ/ Arena Paintball on Facebook] | | * [https://www.instagram.com/arenapaintballnz/ Official Instagram profile] |
| * [https://www.paintballdirectnz.co.nz/ Paintball Direct NZ] | |
| * [https://www.arenapaintball.co.nz/events Arena Paintball events calendar]
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| [[Category:Paintball fields in New Zealand]] | | [[Category:Paintball fields in New Zealand]] |
| [[Category:Paintball in New Zealand]] | | [[Category:Paintball in New Zealand]] |
| [[Category:Sports venues in New Zealand]] | | [[Category:Sports venues in New Zealand]] |
