Digital Natives Academy is proud to partner with Spark for Spark Game Arena Live, Aotearoa’s ultimate gaming festival, set to take place at Spark Arena on 7th September. This landmark event will bring together over 8,000 gamers for an action-packed day of world-class gaming experiences, esports tournaments, inspiring talks, music, and much more.

With Spark Game Arena Live, Digital Natives Academy aims to empower Aotearoa’s next generation of digital and creative tech leaders. Our focus is on strengthening digital wellbeing, creating education pathways into digital and creative technology, and supporting equitable access to these opportunities for all. Through this festival, we’re building a platform that not only celebrates the talent within New Zealand’s gaming industry but also fosters inclusivity and accessibility in tech.

Gaming is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world,” says Matt Bain, Spark’s Marketing and Data Director. “At Spark, we’re dedicated to unleashing the possibilities that technology holds for Aotearoa. Gaming is a natural fit for this vision, and Spark Game Arena Live allows us to highlight the exceptional work of local game developers, animators, and visionaries contributing to this dynamic industry.”

The first lineup for Spark Game Arena Live includes global titles like Fall Guys and Fortnite, alongside talks from the New Zealand Game Developers Association and DNA, reflecting our shared commitment to empowering future leaders in digital and creative technology. The festival will also feature the grand finale of Spark’s ‘Rise Cup’ Fortnite tournament, where players will compete for a prize pool of over $140,000.

As 79% of New Zealanders identify as gamers, the potential to build career pathways, foster community, and inspire innovation through gaming has never been greater. Spark Game Arena Live is more than an event—it’s a step forward in ensuring that every Kiwi has the opportunity to explore and excel in the digital world.

We’re excited to see Spark Game Arena Live become a milestone in New Zealand’s gaming landscape and a foundation for the digital futures of our rangatahi. Stay tuned as we reveal more in the lead-up to September!