A timing clash of the national Sevens tournament and the Glenorchy race meeting this weekend is expected to have an affect on attendance figures, both organisers say.
The Pub Charity Rugby Sevens New Zealand tournament will take place at the Queenstown Recreation Ground.
About 45 minutes' drive away, the popular Glenorchy races - an event attended by about 2500 people last year - will run for most of tomorrow.
Sevens chairman Clark Frew said he was "sure" the two events would have an obvious effect on attendance figures.
However, he expects most people will attend the races tomorrow, and then watch the Sevens finals on Sunday.
Glenorchy races organiser Peter Reid, agreed, saying: "We've clashed with the Sevens before and we still had about 1600-1800 in attendance that year. I guess people still use Sunday to see the Sevens finals."
Both organisers agreed the main factor will be the weather.
Mr Frew said about 5000 people attended the Sevens on a sunny Saturday last year, but only 600 people braved heavy rain on the Sunday.
"This year, if 5000 people show up on Saturday, and another 5000 on Sunday, that would be outstanding ...
"Weather is the key driver. We will have to keep our fingers and toes crossed and see how we go," he said.
The MetService is predicting fine weather throughout the weekend, with maximum temperatures of 27degC.
Profits from the Sevens tournament go to junior rugby in the Central Otago region, and money raised at the Glenorchy race meeting is put back into the Glenorchy community.
• The Glenorchy races, now in its 49th year, features 10 races starting about 10.30am tomorrow.
• Entering its eighth year in Queenstown, the Sevens tournament at Queenstown Recreation Ground kicks off at 11.10am tomorrow and at 10am for the finals matches on Sunday.
