The Crankworx World Tour is set to return to Rotorua in November 2022.

Some of the world's best riders will go head-to-head from November 5 to 13, accoding to an event spokesperson.

They'll be competing for the year's number one spots, including the King and Queen of Crankworx and Slopestyle World Champion.

Rotorua, dubbed the ‘Soul of Crankworx' has been a staple on the Crankworx scene since its beginning in 2015.

Spectators can join the action at Skyline Rotorua from Wednesday, November 9 - Sunday, November 13.

With a stacked schedule serving up Pro, Amateur and CWNEXT races, Kidsworx, a bustling expo, and local food and drink, there's something for everyone.

Tickets are on sale now, with early bird pricing available until August 15, 2022, 11.55pm NZDT.

Last year saw the rise of Kiwi riders, who gave international pros a run for their money, and the rare Triple Crown awarded to Slopestyle super-star Emil Johansson.

This year, we're set to see more of the same as international and local riders face off in the Maxxis Slopestyle in Memory of McGazza, Specialised Dual Slalom Rotorua, Crankworx Rotorua Pump Track Challenge presented by Torpedo7, CLIF Speed & Style Rotorua, RockShox Downhill Rotorua, and the Trek Official New Zealand Whip-Off Championships presented by POC.

NZ riders secured four medals in the Pro categories and two in U19 Men's at the first stop - Crankworx Innsbruck - in an epic start to the season for Aotearoa.

Robin Goomes, the Rotorua local who landed the first woman's backflip in 2021 took Gold in both CLIF Speed & Style and Whip-Off Pro Women's categories

Vinny Armstrong, who secured Silver in Whip-Off Pro Women's category

George Brannigan, who took Silver in Specialized Dual Slalom presented by Thule Pro Men's category

Cameron Beck, who took Gold in U19 Men's Specialized Dual Slalom presented by Thule and Silver in U19 Men's deuter Downhill presented by Raiffeisen Club

The local Crankworx team are ‘pumped' to see a full event on the horizon this year, after a Covid-19 wave led the event to run without on-site spectators in 2021. This will be a chance to put Rotorua front-of-mind as a world-class destination again on the global stage.

'What the team achieved in 2021 with Crankworx Rotorua and the Crankworx Summer Series New Zealand was extraordinary in the circumstances, but we missed the fans and community and can't wait to have another crack at delivering the World Tour final stop we always envisaged,” says Crankworx Event Director, Ariki Tibble.

'We are really looking forward to delivering events in 2022 with smiling crowds, emerging talent, and the return of our community programs.”

The festival's return is a ‘win for Rotorua' as a chance to showcase its upgraded mountain biking tracks, including New Zealand's newest Great Ride, the Whakarewarewa Forest Loop, which opened earlier this year.

The region has ‘consistently seen' economic benefits, community engagement, and priceless destination marketing from the festival since it first hit Rotorua in 2015.

The average economic impact of the Crankworx World Tour festival in Rotorua has been $4.31 million per year since 2015, with international visitors staying an average of 10.4 nights and spending $295 per day.

Domestic visitors from all over New Zealand also come in to see the festival, spending an average of 3.9 nights and $324 per day.

This figure doesn't include the ongoing economic contribution of those who visit outside of event time year-round as a result of the awareness and hype it creates for Rotorua as a premiere destination for mountain biking, adventure, and Māori culture.

As well as the opportunity for international fans to come to New Zealand for the festival this year, live broadcasts reach audiences across the world including the USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Italy, France, Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand.

'Crankworx Rotorua blends mountain biking with Māori cultural elements in a way that amplifies all that is great about our city as a world-class tourist destination,” says Chief Executive of RotoruaNZ, Andrew Wilson.

Crankworx Rotorua also engages our community with events for adults and kids alike.

Kidsworx gives the next generation of riders a chance to practice their mountain biking skills, watch the world's best competitors, and even compete themselves.

Crankworx Rotorua also runs school and family, women's, mobility/accessibility, volunteer, and leadership programs throughout the festival.

For more information on Crankworx Rotorua, or to buy tickets, visit https://www.crankworx.com/festival/rotorua/.