Warriors chief executive Cameron George wants a sellout for NRL return to Sky Stadium, Wellington

Wednesday, 30 July 2025

Stadium officials and the New Zealand Warriors predict a packed house for the club’s bumper return to Wellington next Anzac Day - albeit with no guarantee it will become an annual event.

Warriors chief executive Cameron George gazed out across Sky Stadium from the west lounge on Tuesday to announce the club’s first NRL match there in three years, on Saturday, April 25, 2026.

Their opponents and kickoff time are yet to be confirmed, but regardless the 34,500-capacity stadium will almost certainly be full for the third New Zealand-hosted Anzac Day Warriors match, after Mt Smart Stadium against the Titans in 2024 and Christchurch’s Addington Showgrounds against the Knights this past April.

“We fought long and hard to get it (Anzac Day match) back in New Zealand, and then doing so it was always the plan to go Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington as the three major places to play that game,” George told The Post.

“We’re fortunate in 2026 we had the opportunity to do so here in Wellington… whoever (the opposition) is, it’ll be a great game and a special occasion and a full house.”

It will be the Warriors’ 12th appearance in Wellington since 2001, and first since they beat the Newcastle Knights in round one, 2023, which was current coach Andrew Webster’s first match at the helm.

Whether the country’s most popular franchise team keeps returning to the capital is, well, complicated.

George said the Warriors have a three-year agreement to play one ‘home’ game in Magic Round in Brisbane in May.

The club also has a deal to play one home game a year for the next three years at the new Christchurch stadium, which is scheduled to open next April. George said it was only fair the Crusaders play the first match at One New Zealand Stadium in 2026, with the potential for a double-header weekend with the Warriors later in the year.

“With our obligations it’s only two (home games outside Auckland) per season, but we’re working through the possibility of that being three.

“(Wellington) is always an option, subject to availability. Bringing this game here next year, we want it sold out to mark a special, special occasion on Anzac Day. That could really inspire us to continue looking here.”

There were “lengthy discussions” with Wellington NZ and Sky Stadium to confirm the match, George said. “They made it so inviting that we couldn’t say no.”

Wellington NZ chief executive Mark Oldershaw said: “It’s a considered investment and we balance these things up with the whole lot of opportunity we have for major events across Wellington.

“This was something we were absolutely determined to ensure we get to Wellington… Anzac Day is a really special day for New Zealand and it’s going to be a really special day here as well.”

The biggest crowd for a Warriors match at Sky Stadium was the 30,116 who watched them lose to the Bulldogs in 2013. The Knights season opener in 2023 attracted just 16,676, and their previous capital clash against the Sharks in 2019 drew a tick over 14,000.

The Warriors - fourth on the NRL ladder with a 12-6 record in 2025 - are riding an unprecedented attendance high. They sold out 26 of their last 29 NRL games played in New Zealand, and Friday night’s home match against the Dolphins in Auckland is also on track for a full house.

Sky Stadium chief executive Warrick Dent said the Warriors’ confirmation would top off a bumper 2025-26 financial year including two sold out All Blacks tests, the Wellington Phoenix v Wrexham football match which drew 25,000, and the Ed Sheeran concert this coming January.

“The Warriors are New Zealand’s team, and the run they’ve had over the last few years since they last played here in 2023 has been remarkable,” Dent said.

“We wanted to be part of that; we wanted to bring that to the stadium, and for us the opportunity to fill the stadium - a sellout could be the biggest Warriors home game ever - we’d be excited if we could put that in place.”

Warriors NRL matches at Sky Stadium, Wellington

2023: Beat Newcastle Knights 20-12

2019: Beat Cronulla Sharks 19-18

2016: Beat Canterbury Bulldogs 24-20

2015: Lost to St George Illawarra Dragons 36-0

2014: Beat Wests Tigers 42-18

2013: Lost to Bulldogs 24-16

2004: Lost to Bulldogs 24-18

2003: Lost to Bulldogs 18-12; lost to Canberra Raiders 18-10

2002: Lost to Bulldogs 28-20

2001: Drew with Bulldogs 24-24

Summary: Played 11, won 4, drew 1, lost 6