New Zealand is preparing for an action-packed international rugby union season. The All Blacks are in the midst of a mini-crisis, and will be eager to steady the ship during what promises to be a hugely informative year. With that in mind, read on as we explore New Zealand’s 2026 fixture list, before analysing what's to come for the struggling rugby heavyweights.
New Zealand vs France • One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch • Saturday, July 4, 2026 • Kick-off: 7.10 pm • Nations Championship – Round 1 • First-ever All Blacks Test at the new Christchurch stadium New Zealand vs Italy • SKY Stadium, Wellington • Saturday, July 11, 2026 • Kick-off: 5.10 pm • Nations Championship – Round 2 • Italy’s first Test in Wellington New Zealand vs Ireland • Eden Park, Auckland • Saturday, July 18, 2026 • Kick-off: TBC • Nations Championship – Round 3
South Africa vs New Zealand – Test 1 • South Africa • Date TBC South Africa vs New Zealand – Test 2 • South Africa • Date TBC South Africa vs New Zealand – Test 3 • South Africa • Date TBC South Africa vs New Zealand – Test 4 • South Africa • Date TBC Midweek matches vs South African URC teams • Various venues across South Africa • Dates TBC
New Zealand vs Australia – Bledisloe Cup Test 1 • Eden Park, Auckland • Saturday, October 10, 2026 • Kick-off: 7.10 pm Australia vs New Zealand – Bledisloe Cup Test 2 • Australia • Date TBC
Wales vs New Zealand • United Kingdom • Date TBC Scotland vs New Zealand • United Kingdom • Date TBC England vs New Zealand • Twickenham, London • Date TBC
• London, England • November 27–29, 2026 • Final placement dependent on pool results
The 2026 season kicks off on Saturday, July 4 when New Zealand welcome France to the One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch. New Zealand will be the favourites to come out on top, and local bettors will be wagering heavily on them to defeat the talented visitors. Kiwi punters can find competitive odds on the best rugby betting sites via comparison platform bettingtop10.co.nz, which offers impartial reviews of licensed and regulated sportsbooks. The wagering experts at BettingTop10 will be backing New Zealand to emerge victorious in a fixture that should set the tone for the rest of the year. This fixture will also mark the All Blacks' first Test at a permanent stadium in Canterbury since the 2011 earthquakes that decimated the Lancaster Park era. Intriguingly, it is also the launch of the new 12-team Nations Championship tournament that organisers want to fit into the international calendar. The following week in Wellington, Italy head to Sky Stadium to face New Zealand in a family-friendly 5.10 pm kick-off on Saturday, July 11. This is Italy's first Test in the capital and the fourth overall in New Zealand since they clashed at the inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup. Eden Park is next on the agenda seven days later when Ireland return to Auckland for a Nations Championship showdown. The All Blacks have never lost at Eden Park. They are currently on a 52-Test unbeaten streak, a statistic that destabilises opponents even before they arrive. New Zealand have won six of the last 10 Tests against Ireland over the past decade and will be eager to extend that record. Australia will test that fortress again on Saturday, October 10, for the home leg of the Bledisloe Cup. The Wallabies have not lifted the trophy since 2002 and will be desperate to end their drought New Zealand will be involved in Rugby's Greatest Rivalry in August and September. They play four Test matches in South Africa and four midweek games against United Rugby Championship sides. The season wraps up with a heavy northern flavour as they take on Wales, Scotland and England in the November Nations Championship Tests. They round off the year with Finals Weekend in London from November 27-29. Before New Zealand return to action, they will need to resolve their coaching situation after recently parting company with Scott Robertson. Heavy losses to South Africa, a historic defeat to Argentina, and issues with discipline and second-half performances, ultimately cost Robertson his job. There was a growing dissatisfaction among the players, and the hierarchy felt they were not closing the gap on the Springboks. That decision casts a long shadow over the 2026 schedule as they work to find a new head coach. Jamie Joseph, Tony Brown and Dave Rennie are in the mix for the job.
