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Christchurch kicks off All Blacks' 2026 season with historic Test
Sport Nation • December 9th, 2025 8:50 am
Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
The All Blacks have announced the venues for their 2026 home season and Christchurch is the big winner with the opening of the new One New Zealand Stadium (Te Kaha).
Playing host to France, it will be the first match the All Blacks have played at a large-scale permanent stadium in New Zealand's second-largest city since the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes that brought an end to the iconic Lancaster Park.
It's an occasion not lost on NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinson.
“For the All Blacks to play at the new One New Zealand Stadium 15 years after the earthquakes will be a special moment for the team and a significant occasion for rugby at the start of a new era for the international game," he said.
The July 4 Test will also be the first match of the inaugural Nations Championship.
Te Kaha | Photo: Christchurch City Council
Following the French, Italy will face the men in black at Wellington's Sky Stadium on July 11, then Ireland come to Auckland's Eden Park on July 18 to renew their rivalry with New Zealand.
“Playing at home will always be special to the All Blacks and to host three Northern Hemisphere nations in consecutive weeks is a great start to our 2026 campaign and a challenge we will embrace. It will be an historic occasion for Christchurch at the new stadium," said All Blacks coach Scott Robertson.
“We know Italy will be highly motivated as we start the Nations Championship and, as always, we will walk toward the challenge of defending our record at Eden Park against Ireland and Australia.”
The Wallabies come to Auckland as part of the Bledisloe Cup home and away series, with Eden Park hosting the first leg on October 10.
All Blacks 2026 Home Test Schedule
July 4: All Blacks vs France at One New Zealand Stadium (Te Kaha), Christchurch - kick-off 7.10pm
July 11: All Blacks vs Italy at Sky Stadium, Wellington - kick-off 5.10pm
July 18: All Blacks vs Ireland at Eden Park, Auckland - kick-off TBC
October 10: All Blacks vs Australia at Eden Park, Auckland - kick-off 7.10pm
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