500 to compete in New Zealand's largest beer pong event: KiwiPong

A competitor dressed as a superhero was one of over 500 people who took part in last year's KiwiPong National Championships. Photo / Supplied.

New Zealand's fastest growing sporting pastime is gearing up for another national championship this weekend.

Tomorrow 256 teams of beer pong players from around the country will compete for a first prize of $10,000 at the KiwiPong national championships.

The competition will be held at Hopetoun Alpha in Auckland from 11:30am, but anyone hoping to register last minute is out of luck. Nearly 400 teams signed up for the event but the organisers have had to limit numbers to 256 teams of two.

Nearly 400 teams registered for the event but the organisers have had to limit it to 256 teams of two. Photo / Supplied

Held in association with Radio Hauraki and Pilot Brewery, the event is split into three stages. There are morning and afternoon heats before the finals take place at 6:30pm.

Competitors are known to dress up for the event with one "Calendar Girls" team registered for this weekend's matches.

Now in its third year, KiwiPong was started by Tim Kerr and Nick Borland and has rapidly become a hit, with official merchandise now available in over 450 stores.

It's the biggest beer pong event in Australasia, though the championship sees competitors restricted to drinking water to avoid any drunk and disorderly issues.

Some of the teams in action at last year's KiwiPong championshps. Photo/Supplied

While many see beer pong as a party game, it's fast becoming popular as a legitimate sport. An annual world series event is held in Las Vegas where players compete for between US $50- and $100,000.

Spectators are welcome to attend this weekend's event in Auckland but, be warned, space is limited. Radio Hauraki will be at the event all day, with coverage from Jason Hoyte, Matt Ward, Luke Taplin, and Melanie Bracewell.