The Auckland City Limits music festival will not be returning next year, as previously announced, but rather in 2018.

In the absence of the Big Day Out, New Zealand's first City Limits event earlier this year was a big success, with more than 25,000 people attending.

In July, organisers announced the festival would return to Auckland's Western Springs on March 11, 2017; but today have issued a release saying that it won't be happening after all.

"Our intent as always is to stage a world-class music festival in Auckland. The inaugural Auckland City Limits delivered on that promise... It was a brilliant event that we are proud of and want to expand on in the future," says promoter Campbell Smith.

"We remain committed to bringing the best Auckland City Limits experience possible to New Zealand. We will return in March 2018 with an equally strong artist line-up and an intensified focus on providing festival-goers with an unforgettable day."

In the July announcement organisers stated tickets would go on sale in October, coinciding with the first line-up details.

The new release doesn't state explicitly the reason for the event's postponement and a representative for Mr Smith said no tickets have been sold.

Newshub.