Christchurch To Host First Super Rugby Super Round At New Stadium In 2026

Christchurch will host the Super Rugby Pacific 'Super Round' for the first time in New Zealand from April 24 to 26, 2026, marking the inaugural major sporting event at the new One New Zealand Stadium. The event will feature 10 teams playing five matches over the Anzac weekend, including notable fixtures such as the Crusaders opening the round, the Hurricanes facing the ACT Brumbies for the Captain Shout Cup, and the Blues playing the Queensland Reds for the Sellars Dixon Medal. The stadium, with 25,000 seats under a fixed roof and located in the city center, will also host live music and family entertainment, drawing fans from New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, and the Pacific. Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger highlighted the event as a significant milestone in the city's recovery and a proud moment to launch the new venue, while Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge emphasized the event as a celebration beyond rugby, marking the stadium's vibrant future hosting various community events. This Super Round follows previous editions held in Melbourne from 2022 to 2024 and will be one of the first opportunities for the public to experience the state-of-the-art stadium. Fixture details for the Sunday matches are yet to be confirmed.