Auckland Council expects an economic boost from sailing's premier round-the-world race, which arrives in port this weekend.
The city has spent $1.5 million securing the right to host the halfway stopover in the Volvo Ocean Race, which last called 10 years ago.
A race village is the biggest attraction yet to be built on Auckland's revitalised waterfront, and it is hoped it will draw hundreds of thousands of local people.
A spopkesperson for the council's events agency ATEED, Rachael Dacy, says the economic benefits include 1000 visitors brought in by the event's main sponsor alone.
The 10-day stopover is also being used to showcase the city's marine industry, and potential foreign investors are being courted.
