Forsyth Barr Stadium has been confirmed as the venue for a July test match between the All Blacks and Fiji, ending a six-year drought of international rugby in Dunedin. New Zealand Rugby (NZR) announced the fixture as part of the 2026 mid-year international schedule released on Friday.

Return to the roof

The last All Blacks test at Forsyth Barr was in 2020, when a match against Australia was played to a restricted crowd under Covid-19 protocols. Prior to that, the covered stadium — the only one of its kind in New Zealand — was a regular fixture on the international calendar, known for its electric atmosphere and guaranteed dry conditions. NZR's fixtures page confirms the test will be played on Saturday, July 11, with a 7:05pm kickoff. It will be the second match of a three-test series against the Flying Fijians.

Economic boost for the city

Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich said the test was a significant coup for the city's events calendar. "An All Blacks test generates an estimated $8 to $12 million in economic activity for Dunedin," he said. "Hotels, restaurants, and retailers all benefit when 30,000 fans come to town." Enterprise Dunedin, the council's economic development arm, will coordinate a "Test Week" programme of events in the Octagon and surrounding precinct. Previous test weekends have included fan zones, live music, and cultural performances. The Dunedin Venues Management team confirmed that a turf replacement completed in February has the ground in "the best condition it's been in for years." The new hybrid surface was installed at a cost of $1.2 million and is designed to handle both rugby and cricket fixtures.

Highlanders connection

The announcement is also welcome news for the Highlanders, who play their home Super Rugby Pacific matches at the venue. The franchise has long argued that regular All Blacks tests in Dunedin help sustain interest in rugby across the lower South Island. Highlanders CEO Roger Clark said the test would provide a "halo effect" for the franchise's membership and merchandise sales. "When the All Blacks play here, our season ticket enquiries spike for weeks afterwards," he said.

Tickets and broadcast

Tickets will go on sale to NZR members on March 20, with general public sales opening March 27 through Ticketmaster. Prices are expected to range from $40 for restricted-view seats to $195 for premium sideline positions. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sport 1, with delayed coverage on ThreeNow from 9:30pm. NZR is also exploring a free-to-air highlights package for Sunday morning, continuing its efforts to broaden rugby's reach beyond pay-TV subscribers.