Christchurch will host a Super Rugby "Super Round" at the city's new stadium over Anzac weekend next year.
The long-awaited $683 million roofed arena is set to open in April, with the defending champion Crusaders playing the first competitive match.
It will be the first time the event, which was in Melbourne from 2022 to 2024, will be held in New Zealand, and the first major sporting event at One New Zealand Stadium.
It will also be the first major sporting event at Te Kaha, which is set to open next April.
In a release, Super Rugby said: "Super Round 2026 will combine world-class rugby with live music and family-friendly fun, as fans from across New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, and the Pacific come together to celebrate a historic festival of footy in Christchurch."
Crusaders fans celebrate winning the Super Rugby title. Photo: RNZ/Nathan McKinnon
The event is set for round 11 of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season, from April 24 to 26, with 10 teams to play five matches across one weekend.
"Super Round will give fans one of the first chances to experience Ōtautahi Christchurch's brand-new, state-of-the-art Stadium. With 25,000 seats under a fixed roof, and a prime location in the city centre, the stadium is the perfect venue for three days of entertaining rugby," the release said.
The fixture details for the Super Round will be confirmed in the coming weeks, though the first match of the round on Friday 24 April will feature hosts and defending champions the Crusaders.
On Saturday 25 April (Anzac Day) the Hurricanes face the ACT Brumbies for the Captain Shout Cup, and the Blues tackle the Queensland Reds, with the players competing for the Sellars Dixon Medal.
The action concludes with another yet to be confirmed double-header on Sunday 26 April.
Te Kaha JULY UPDATE PICS Photo: Christchurch City Council
Phil Mauger, Mayor of Christchurch, said he can't wait.
"The opening event at One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha will be a major milestone in the remarkable comeback story of our city and it is great to share that with our friends and neighbours from all across the country, Australia and the Pacific.
"We are really proud to be able to launch this amazing venue on behalf of Christchurch and know it will be a place where great memories are made."
David Havili of the Crusaders and teammates celebrate with the Super Rugby Pacific trophy. Photo: Joe Allison/Getty Images
Crusaders chief executive Colin Mansbridge believes the city will get behind the idea.
"This event is bigger than rugby, it's a celebration of One NZ Stadium coming to life.
"I'm stoked that the new stadium is going to host rugby, concerts and an amazing array of community events - but there's no better way to kick it off than recognise the DNA of this region and start with Super Round hosted by Super Rugby Pacific and the very grateful Crusaders club."
Super Rugby Pacific boss Jack Mesley is confident the Super Round will prove popular after being scrapped for 2025 following the disbandment of the Melbourne Rebels.
"Super Round is a celebration of what makes Super Rugby Pacific special. Fans can expect fast-paced rugby, classic rivalries, and an electric stadium atmosphere as supporters across the Pacific come together to celebrate Super Round.
"Hosting this event in Ōtautahi Christchurch is a fantastic way to showcase the best of our competition. We're excited to work with the city and the Crusaders to deliver something unforgettable."
Canterbury-based private train operator Mainland Rail was in the midst of creating an "event express train" service in time for the opening of the stadium.
It said the service would transport thousands of people by rail directly to the central city from Rolleston, Rangiora and potentially also from Ashburton on major event days.
Mainland Rail director Paul Jackson said train carriages had already been purchased.
"Our plan provides a smart, simple solution to move up to 5,700 people per event without adding pressure to roads or parking," he said.
"Christchurch is already the slowest-driving major city in the country. Our Event Express Train model will help fix that, at no cost to ratepayers for the procurement of the trains."
