As reported in the Otago Daily Times on Monday, and confirmed yesterday by New Zealand Rugby, the All Blacks will skip Dunedin for the first time since 2020, instead starting the test season against France at Christchurch’s new Te Kaha Stadium.
Dunedin Venues chief executive Paul Doorn said the company had gone "super hard" on its bid for next year’s games. It was "very disappointed with the outcome of that process", he said.
"However, [we’re] very optimistic about 2027 ... we’ve been in great discussions ... around the potential of having [Scotland] ... here in September of 2027.
"The harsh reality is that there are only four ... home games in New Zealand next year and with Christchurch coming on board, clearly that’s had an impact."
Mr Doorn said work had begun to secure the stadium’s next "piece of content", whether it was a concert, rugby match or something else.
"We’re not sitting here licking our wounds," he said.
"We’re disappointed ... but we are working really hard to make sure that we’re not disappointed going forward."
Home tests
The All Blacks 2026 home tests. —
Nations Championship:
• v France, July 4, One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch, 7.10pm.
• v Italy, July 11, Sky Stadium, Wellington, 5.10pm.
• v Ireland, July 18, Eden Park, Auckland, time TBC.
Bledisloe Cup:
• v Australia, October 10, Eden Park, Auckland, 7.10pm.
