New Zealand is hosting the event over three days, from 9 to 11 February 2017, at ILT Stadium Southland in south New Zealand, and it is set to feature competitors from more than 30 countries.

Sir David Fagan, five-time world champion shearer and recently knighted Shearing Sports New Zealand chair, said people in Invercargill and across the whole Southland region had embraced the championships.

“There will be about 30 countries coming from around the world and it’s going to be an incredible experience. We can’t wait to welcome our international shearing and wool-handling friends to Invercargill and Southland,” Fagan said.

The venue itself, with a 4,000-seat capacity, is an attraction that regularly hosts international and national events and is home to sports franchises, the Southern Steel (netball) and the defending NBL champions the Southland Sharks (basketball).

About 4,500 sheep will come through the stadium over the three days. ILT Stadium Southland manager Nigel Skelt said the venue would be transformed into one of the world’s largest woolsheds.

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World's best shearers and wool handlers flock to New Zealand

The world's elite wool industry athletes will converge in Invercargill in the far south of New Zealand in February 2017 for the Golden Shears World Shearing and Wool Handling Championships.