Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy test a sellout at Wellington’s Hnry Stadium after remaining tickets snapped up

Wednesday, 8 July 2026

Ardie Savea thanks the crowd after the All Blacks’ win over France in Wellington last year.

What: Nations Championship week two, All Blacks v Italy. Where: Hnry Stadium, Wellington. When: 5.10pm Saturday, Sky Sport 1.

Wellington sports fans have Filled the Tin for a third time this year, after New Zealand Rugby finally put up the ‘house full’ sign for Saturday’s All Blacks test against Italy.

NZR confirmed on Wednesday morning the Nations Championship test (5.10pm kickoff) at the 34,500-capacity Hnry Stadium was now sold out, after as few as 300 tickets remained available on Tuesday.

It will be the stadium’s third sporting sellout of 2026 after Warriors v Dolphins in the NRL on Anzac Day, and the Hurricanes’ Super Rugby Pacific final victory over the Chiefs on June 20.

Hurricanes chair and part-owner Malcolm Gillies began the Fill the Tin campaign - a plea to Wellington rugby fans to show their support at the stadium - for the team’s semifinal against the Blues which drew a crowd of 24,000. The following week, all tickets were snapped up in minutes for the decider which the Hurricanes won 60-5.

That was the Canes’ first home town sellout in 10 years, since winning their previous title in the 2016 final. For the likes of new All Blacks prop Xavier Numia, it was the first time he’d played at a full Cake Tin in his home town.

Italy are $13 outsiders with the TAB to topple the All Blacks and are much less a drawcard than France or South Africa who attracted sellout crowds in the capital last year. With premium tickets selling for up to $180 apiece, sales were sluggish in recent weeks for Wellington’s only All Blacks test of 2026.

As recently as last Thursday NZR said 4000 seats were still available, after it reduced all ticket prices by 20% for a 48-hour period, and promoted a “family bundle” for $100 - category B tickets for one adult and one child.

Children’s tickets were a hit in Wellington and made up 19% of those sold, NZR said, compared with 5% in Christchurch for the All Blacks’ 34-32 win over France which played to a 29,152 sellout at One NZ Stadium.

On Monday, just 650 tickets remained, largely in the uncovered section near halfway - either category A for $140 or premium for $180.

The All Blacks don’t arrive in Wellington until Thursday afternoon, having trained in Auckland this week. That arrangement was already in place under the previous management, explained assistant coach Neil Barnes on Monday.

Head coach Dave Rennie is scheduled to name his team at 4pm on Thursday, with the All Blacks paying just $1.02 to beat Italy. MetService forecasts a largely fine, chilly day on Saturday with a maximum of 10C.