CASE STUDY – Ultimate Athlete 2025 New Zealand

Client Brief

Ultimate Athlete, New Zealand’s premier obstacle course racing event, returned to Mount Maunganui for its 2025 edition. Having worked with Airspace Event Structures for the past two years, the client once again required a series of robust, branded inflatable structures to support the event’s beachfront setup. Key areas included the registration zone, a sponsor activation hub, and a protected space for athlete preparation and operations—all on challenging coastal terrain.

Objective

To deliver a series of temporary inflatable structures capable of withstanding challenging coastal conditions while offering standout branding and functional usability. Key goals included:

• Creating a clear and efficient registration area

• Providing a sponsor activation zone

• Supporting operational space for athletes and staff

• Ensuring rapid installation with minimal environmental disruption

• Maintaining a cohesive visual identity across all touchpoints

The Results

Airspace Event Structures provided a tailored package of inflatable structures suited to both the environment and the event’s footprint:

• 11m x 6m Airoof installed directly on the sand using 4 tons of sandbags for ballast, creating a weather-resistant operational zone. A 3m inflatable wall was integrated to create an internal division and guide foot traffic.

• 8m inflatable dome deployed as the registration hub, providing a clearly branded entry point with weather protection.

• 9m x 6m T-Tunnel transformed into a Sponsor Hub, delivering a dedicated and visually engaging space for brand activations.

This was Airspace Event Structures’ third year delivering to Ultimate Athlete, and the experienced install team completed the build efficiently despite the complexities of the coastal site. All structures performed reliably, providing functional, high-impact spaces that elevated the event experience for participants, sponsors, and spectators.

“This event showcases what our structures are built for—high performance in tough environments,” said Martin Avard, Director at Airspace Event Structures. “It’s always a pleasure working with the Ultimate Athlete team, and we’re proud to help bring their vision to life on the sand year after year.”