CSB - Elliott Smith - All Blacks schedule 2026 - The Country Sport Breakfast

Christchurch's new stadium has been awarded the first All Blacks test of 2026.

The All Blacks will open their 2026 campaign at One New Zealand Stadium in the heart of Christchurch against France, lifting the curtain on rugby's new Nations Championship.

The fixture, set down for July 4th, is the first test in Christchurch since the All Blacks lost to Argentina in 2022.

After Christchurch, the All Blacks will host Italy in Wellington the following Saturday afternoon before squaring off against rivals Ireland at Eden Park on the 18th of July.

The other home test in 2026 will also be in Auckland on October 10th, in the first test of the Bledisloe Cup.

Dunedin misses out on a test for the first time in a non-COVID or World Cup year since 2006.

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