With a Rugby World Cup countdown officially underway, old rivalries renewed, new venues opened and fresh talent ready to announce itself, there will be no shortage of moments to savour. Here are 26 things to look forward to across the black jersey and beyond in 2026.
A Tour Like No Other
“Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry” returns in August and September as the All Blacks tour South Africa for the first time in 30 years in a blockbuster eight-match series - including four Tests against the Springboks and four tour matches against the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls and Lions. In 2030, New Zealand plays host as South Africa embark on their first professional-era tour of the country, taking in provincial sides in addition to a Test series.
New Era for Rugby in Christchurch
One New Zealand Stadium opens in 2026, giving Christchurch a permanent, world-class home for top-flight rugby after more than a decade at a temporary venue. The stadium opens on ANZAC Weekend with Super Rugby Pacific’s Super Round which will see five games played across three action-packed days. The All Blacks kick off the international season against France in July while the Black Ferns also take on France in October, bringing blockbuster rugby back to the garden city and marking a new chapter for the game in the South Island. Sign up for All Blacks ticket presale HERE.
Race to 50 All Blacks Test Tries
Doug Howlett’s 49-Test-try mark for the All Blacks could finally fall in 2026, with Beauden Barrett and Will Jordan both closing in on the top spot. Jordan and Barrett both sit on 45 Test tries, with Rieko Ioane not far back on 39 tries. Check out www.stats.allblacks.com for more great stats and numbers.
Super Rugby Pacific
The Super Rugby Pacific season kicks off in February with plenty of intrigue. Can the Crusaders continue their dominance, or will Australia’s rising franchises, bolstered by key signings, challenge the status quo? And don’t count out the Pacific powerhouses -Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua - who will be looking to shake up the table and make their mark on the competition.
Bumper Home Season for the Black Ferns
The Black Ferns will play four home Tests in 2026, starting with Australia in Auckland in August for the O’Reilly Cup. They then face France in a thrilling three‑Test series across October as part of the WXV Global Series, following their 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup bronze‑final clash with Les Bleus.
Super Round
Super Round lands in Christchurch in 2026, bringing a three‑day festival of Super Rugby Pacific to the brand‑new One New Zealand Stadium over the ANZAC weekend. For the first time in New Zealand, 10 teams will descend on one city for five high‑stakes matches, live music and fan‑friendly events - giving supporters a blockbuster weekend of footy and a first look inside their state‑of‑the‑art venue.
Beauden’s Milestone
In 2026, Beauden Barrett could become the most‑capped All Black ever. Currently on 144 Tests, he trails Richie McCaw (148) and Sam Whitelock (153), making this season a historic push toward New Zealand rugby’s appearance record.
Eden Park Streak
The All Blacks’ fortress at Eden Park shows no sign of slowing, with their unbeaten run now stretching to 52 games. In 2026, the iconic venue will host blockbuster Tests against Ireland on July 18 and Australia on October 10, as the All Blacks look to extend one of rugby’s most impressive home streaks. Can rugby’s most impressive fortress hold for another calendar year?
Bunnings NPC
The 2025 Bunnings NPC was a classic - Canterbury edged Otago 36‑28 in a thrilling southern derby final to claim their first title since 2017. In 2026, as the NPC celebrates its 50th season since Bay of Plenty lifted the inaugural trophy in 1976, fierce rivalries, tight contests, and the ever-coveted Ranfurly Shield will set the stage for another roller‑coaster year, where any of New Zealand’s 14 unions could rise and etch their name into provincial rugby history.
Who can stop Blues women?
Super Rugby Aupiki shifts to a June–August window in 2026, with six rounds and a Grand Final, leading into a trans‑Tasman Super Rugby Champions Final against Australia’s Super Rugby Women winners. Can anyone stop the Blues chasing a third straight title?
Dashing debutants
The All Blacks unleashed nine debutants in 2025 with Highlanders lock Fabian Holland standing tall with 12 appearances and being named the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year. 2026 promises another wave of game-changers. Who will shine next and stake their claim on the black jersey?
Farah Palmer Cup
The top tier of provincial women’s rugby in New Zealand gets a refreshed two‑pool, 12‑team format, promising tighter competition and pathways to the Black Ferns. Waikato’s back‑to‑back Premiership wins set the benchmark — can anyone dethrone them?
Heartland Glory
New Zealand’s grassroots provincial competition returns with 12 unions battling over eight round‑robin games for Meads Cup and Lochore Cup honours. After Mid Canterbury and North Otago lifted trophies in 2025, 2026 promises another compelling season of local pride and classic Heartland rugby.
First Haka of the year
There’s something about the first haka of the year. It is sure to be a spectacle when the All Blacks perform the haka for the first time in 2026 under the bright lights of the newly minted One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch against France on July 4.
SVNS Season Momentum
After a strong start with both New Zealand teams winning in Dubai and competitive outings in Cape Town - the Black Ferns and All Blacks Sevens head into the Singapore leg (31 Jan–1 Feb) riding confidence and rhythm, setting up another key test in the HSBC SVNS World Series. Catch the highlights on NZR+.
A New Era for Rugby
The Nations Championship is a new global rugby competition launching in July 2026, bringing together the top 12 Northern and Southern Hemisphere nations in a series of high-stakes matches, with points and rankings leading to a Finals Weekend in London late in the year. The All Blacks will host three key July fixtures in the Southern Hemisphere Series, facing France in Christchurch, Italy in Wellington, and Ireland in Auckland.
Ranfurly Shield
In 2025, the Ranfurly Shield changed hands four times, with Taranaki, Waikato, Southland, Canterbury and finally Otago enjoying memorable runs. Otago secured it with a thrilling 38–36 win over Canterbury and defended it against North Harbour. In 2026, Otago begin as holders and will look to make Forsyth Barr Stadium a long term home for the coveted ‘Log o’ Wood’.
Black Ferns History in South Africa
In 2026, the Black Ferns will make history in South Africa, playing their first full Test on South African soil as part of the “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry” tour. Their clash with Springboks Women in Johannesburg on 5 September will serve as a curtain‑raiser to the All Blacks v Springboks Test in front of a packed crowd.
One Year to Go: Rugby World Cup 2027
October 1, 2026, marks one year until the 2027 Rugby World Cup kicks off in Australia. With the All Blacks drawn in the same pool as hosts Australia for the first time, there’s a strong chance the tournament’s opening game will be a classic showdown between the two old rivals.
Under 85kg Rugby
Under 85kg rugby made headlines in 2025, capped by a thrilling National Under 85kg Club Cup final at Eden Park, where the HSOB Light Bears edged Pōneke FC Wanderers 24–19 in a dramatic finish. The New Zealand Under 85kg team also completed a historic two-match tour of Sri Lanka against the Tuskers in sold-out games. With the grade growing fast, 2026 promises even more excitement.
Next Generation on the World Stage
World Rugby has confirmed that the 2026 World Rugby Under 20 Championship will be hosted by Georgia. After expanding from 12 to 16 teams to boost global competitiveness, the age‑grade showpiece will welcome Fiji, Japan, USA and Uruguay alongside the traditional line‑up. For New Zealand U20s, who fell just short to the Springboks U20s in the 2025 final, it’s another shot at the title on a bigger stage in 2026. With the expanded format and fresh talent emerging, the Baby Blacks will be looking to go one better and lift the championship in Georgia.
Whitney Hansen in Charge
Whitney Hansen has been named the new Black Ferns Head Coach for 2026, taking over from Allan Bunting and becoming only the second woman to lead the iconic side. Her appointment brings real excitement for 2026, as she guides a generationally talented squad through an 11‑Test season and builds momentum ahead of the historic British & Irish Lions Series in 2027.
Bledisloe Cup
The Bledisloe Cup, the iconic Trans‑Tasman trophy the All Blacks have held since 2003, is back in the spotlight in 2026 as New Zealand look to defend it in a two‑Test series against Australia. The fierce rivalry sees the first clash at Eden Park in Auckland on 10 October and the return leg in Sydney the following week.
Closing in on the Centurions Club
All Blacks Captain Scott Barrett is closing in on a major milestone, with 91 Test caps to his name. If he reaches 100 Tests in 2026, he will join the All Blacks’ elite group of 15 centurions, underscoring his durability and impact on the black jersey since his debut in 2016.
Who Will Shine at the 2026 ASB Rugby Awards?
Celebrating rugby’s best moments and contributors, the ASB Rugby Awards are a highlight of the season, shining a spotlight on outstanding players, coaches, teams, and volunteers across the game. In 2026, we’ll once again look forward to seeing who etches their name on these prestigious honours, recognising excellence from grassroots to the elite — all to be revealed at a night of rugby celebration.
Fans Making the Moment
Fans are the heart and soul of rugby, and 2026 promises plenty of unforgettable moments in the stands. From roaring crowds at NPC and Super Rugby to the electric atmosphere when the All Blacks and Black Ferns take the field, the year is set for passionate support, colourful chants, and unforgettable celebrations as fans cheer every big moment.
