Warriors sell out Hnry Stadium in Wellington ahead of NRL clash with Dolphins
Tuesday, 14 April 2026
The Warriors have cemented their status as the best crowd-pullers in the country, after Wellington’s Hnry Stadium put up the ‘house full’ sign more than 10 days out from their Anzac Day match.
Stadium chief executive Warrick Dent confirmed the 34,500-capacity arena had sold out on Tuesday for the Warriors’ NRL match against the Dolphins on Saturday, April 25 (8.05pm kickoff).
It’s the first time in three years the Warriors will grace Wellington, since they beat Newcastle Knights in round one 2023 in coach Andrew Webster’s first match at the helm.
Dent said it would be one of the Warriors’ largest home crowds.
“This is a significant match for the sporting calendar, on an important day for New Zealanders, so to have it resonate with fans here in Wellington speaks volumes about hosting events in our city,” Dent said in a statement.
Read More:
Pack of promise: How Warriors’ young gun forwards snapped Storm streak
Warriors star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to depart for UK at season’s end
It will comfortably eclipse the biggest attendance for a Warriors match in Wellington which was previously 30,116 for their loss to the Bulldogs in 2013.
The Warriors - who currently sit third on the NRL ladder - regularly sell out their Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland base and last year averaged 25,000-plus for all their home games.
Said Warriors CEO Cameron George: “The Anzac round match holds real significance for our team. We’re proud to be part of it and to bring the One NZ Warriors to Wellington for such a meaningful fixture.
“Not only will it be a great game of rugby league, but the collaboration with the NZ Defence Force to honour our servicemen and women will make for an amazing occasion.”
It will be third New Zealand-hosted Anzac Day Warriors match, after Mt Smart against the Titans in 2024 and Christchurch’s Addington Showgrounds against the Knights in April 2025.
When the fixture was first announced last July, George told The Post there had been “lengthy discussions” with Wellington NZ and the stadium to confirm the match.
“They made it so inviting that we couldn’t say no.”
Wellington NZ chief executive Mark Oldershaw said then: “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.”
It will be a welcome sight to see Hnry Stadium full, with rugby, football and cricket not finding it nearly as easy to draw crowds in recent months.
The Super Rugby Pacific-leading Hurricanes’ big match against the Blues last Saturday drew 13,574 while the Phoenix men usually pull between 3000-4000 for A-League games.
The March T20 cricket double-header against South Africa on a Sunday night also drew a sparse attendance.