Auckland will host a regular leg of triathlon's elite international World Series for four years beginning in early April next year.
The International Triathlon Union has confirmed the 2013 calendar, and Auckland replaces Sydney as the season-opener on the weekend of April 6th and 7th.
The announcement follows the successful staging of this year's grand finals in Auckland over Labour Weekend.
The CEO of the organising committee, Dave Beeche, says he's hopeful the event will also continue beyond 2016 and become an annual weekend on the triathlon calendar for a long time to come.
Beeche says he can't put a figure on the likely economic benefits but the week-long grand final looks likely to have exceeded expectations of a $7 million net positive impact for Auckland, with more visitors than expected making the trip to the city.
