The parade is now underway. See our full coverage here:
Team New Zealand arrived home on Wednesday after winning the America's Cup in Bermuda.
Up to 100,000 people are expected to line Auckland's streets on Thursday to get a glimpse of Auld Mug, which last touched down on NZ soil in 1995.
Here's how to make the most of the day.
How to get there
The parade is due to start at 12:30pm, but congestion and traffic is expected to get so bad around the city that Auckland Transport says to leave a lot earlier than you usually would. Or, even better: make the most of public transport.
Police warn thieves could be targeting vehicles that line the streets. They recommend leaving nothing visible inside of your car. There will also be a lot of people around as you watch the parade, so hold your valuables close.
Public transport
Buses are operating on their usual timetable, with some additional buses on key routes. Some roads will be closed meaning some bus routes will be diverted.
Trains will be running six-car sets every 20 minutes between 10am and 3pm, with the exception of the Onehunga line.
Normal ferry timetables will operate with additional seating from Birkenhead, Bayswater, Half Moon Bay, Pine Harbour, West Harbour and Gulf Harbour.
For all public transport normal fares will apply.
Road closures
Road closures are as follows:
9am to 2pm: Wakefield Street, Rutland Street, Lorne Street.
10am to 3pm: Queen Street, Wyndham Street, Shortland street, Fort Street.
10am to 5pm: Customs Street West, Market Place.
11am to 2.30pm: Wellesley Street West, Wellesley Street East, Victoria Street West, Victoria Street East, Bowen Avenue, Customs Street East, Sturdee Street, Lower Albert Street.
11am to 3pm: Quay Street, Hobson Street, Gore Street.
Where to park
If you do decide to drive in, Auckland Transport warns it could be difficult with parking restrictions in place for some of the usual spots.
Parking restrictions are as follows:
9am to 3pm: Victoria Street West (between Franklin and Halsey), Queen Street, Customs Street East, Anzac Avenue, Wakefield Street, Beach Road, Quay street, Mayoral Drive, Lower Hobson Street, Customs Street West, Beaumont Street.
Parade route
The parade will start on the corner of Wakefield Street and Queen Street at 12.30pm, following a welcome from Ngāti Whātua. It'll then travel down Queen St, turning right onto Customs St East. It'll then turn left onto Gore St and finally turn left again onto Quay St to the Princes Wharf.
The team will then take to the water, and sail around the Viaduct Basin, North Wharf, Hobson Wharf, Princes Wharf and Queens Wharf at the Cloud.
The parade is expected to wrap up at around 3pm.
Watch the video for the full parade route.
Best viewing points
Most of the best viewing points are around the edge of the waterfront, to see Team New Zealand sail around the harbour.
To see them launch head to the Viaduct Basin. If you go to the ANZ Viaduct Events Centre you'll get to see them twice, as they'll u-turn at the end and come back past again.
The Princes Wharf and the Cloud, where they finish, are also good places to be.
Most of the wheelchair-accessible viewing points are on land. Auckland Council says the two most wheelchair-friendly spots are at the edge of Aotea Square, facing Queen St, and on the corner of Gore St and Quay St.
They will each be marked by a "be accessible" yellow banner, with a staff member on site.
However, North Wharf is also a flat, open area which would be good for viewing the on water parade.
Big screens are placed along the main route so you can see the parade before it reaches you. There's one at Takutai Square, Karanga Plaza and the Queens Wharf Auckland Fan Zone.
Weather
At this stage forecasts show the weather should hold out during the parade, with only a few light showers and a mild 16degC.
Metservice forecaster April Clark says it'll be "fairly cloudy, so no sunshine", and is likely to pack it in after the celebration is over.
In saying that, Auckland weather is known to be somewhat unpredictable. Ms Clark says to check back on the Metservice website closer to the time, and "pack a parka just in case".
Can't make it?
The parade will be broadcast live on Three, and streamed live on the Newshub website.
Newshub.
