‘Insane’: Crusaders’ qualifying final tickets ‘sell-out’ in 20 minutes, likely last home game of Super Rugby season

Tuesday, 2 June 2026

Jamie Hannah of the Crusaders and Sam Darry of the Blues during a line out at One NZ Stadium in May. (File photo)

Crusaders’ fans and foes took 20 minutes to snap up every general public ticket for this weekend’s Super Rugby qualifying final at One NZ Stadium in Christchurch.

And even if the Crusaders win, it could be their last home game for the Super Rugby season.

The Crusaders will play the Blues on Saturday afternoon in a “sell-out” match to reach the semi-finals.

General public tickets went on sale at 10am. Within 20 minutes, every general public ticket was “exhausted”, the Crusaders said in an Instagram post.

Further limited tickets were released at 5pm on Tuesday, which sold out in just over an hour.

Crusaders’ boss Colin Mansbridge said the sell-out was “insane”.

Crusaders’ chief executive Colin Mansbridge says the sell-out is “insane”. (File photo)

“I hoped that we’d sell quickly, but I was surprised how quickly. “[The team] is smiling and there’s a few high fives going on.”

Mansbridge put the enthusiasm down to increasing pride, not only in the team, but the stadium itself.

“Everybody’s participating - that’s the events, hospitality, employers who are bringing new staff on.

“It’s been so awesome for the city and we’re so proud of it for the city. People come up to us … they’re so proud of our stadium.”

Mansbridge estimated the club could get a net profit of up to $500,000 by selling out the 25,000-seat stadium, a much needed cash injunction for the team.

“This will definitely help us out.

“We’ve been holding on by our fingernails since a couple of years after the earthquake and we’ve accumulated a little bit… this is a bit of oil to get the grit out.”

This weekend’s game could be the last home Super Rugby game the Crusaders play - even if they win - unless the Hurricanes or the Chiefs suffer an unlikely loss in their qualifying games, Mansbridge said.

The Chiefs’ 59-34 thumping of the out of sorts Blues on Saturday night meant the Crusaders locked in third place and a home qualifying final against Vern Cotter’s Blues on Saturday in Christchurch (4.35pm kick off).

On Friday night, the Crusaders moved into third on the ladder after overpowering the understrength top seeded Hurricanes 47-14 to move to 4-0 at their new central city home.

The Blues have won just once in their past 21 games in Christchurch since 2006.