The Warriors are heading back to the capital, with Wellington’s Sky Stadium confirmed as the venue for their 2026 NRL Anzac Day match.
Playing on Anzac Day has been a tradition for the Warriors since 2009, with the exception of the 2020 Covid-impacted campaign and it will be the firsttime Wellington will host the popular annual fixture.
Traditionally, the Warriors had played the Storm in Melbourne on April 25, but this will be the third consecutive year the club has brought the occasion to New Zealand.
The match against a yet-to-be-confirmed opponent will be the Warriors’ first trip to Wellington since their round one win over the Newcastle Knights in 2023, Andrew Webster’s first match coaching the side.
Warriors chief executive Cameron George anticipates it will be a special occasion.
“Anzac Day is such a special and significant day for all New Zealanders and Australians,” said George. “To be able to mark it in the capital will add another dimension to the occasion.
“With it being a long weekend, it’s a great opportunity for the people of Wellington and surrounding areas as well as those from throughout the country and Australia to make the most it.
“We’ve had a great run in the city with back-to-back wins in our last three games there since 2016 and we’re keen to put on another great performance.”
“The Warriors are one of the country’s most popular sports teams and we are thrilled to be bringing them, and the NRL, back to Sky Stadium in 2026,” said Dent.
“The Anzac Day fixture promises to be a special occasion, a great addition to our event schedule, and one that we know fans from Wellington and across the country will be excited by.”
The Warriors also hosted the Cronulla Sharks in Wellington in 2019, winning 19-18, and beat the Canterbury Bulldogs 24-20 there in 2016.
Christchurch hosted the Warriors’ Anzac Day game earlier this year, which ended in a 26-12 win over the Knights - their first win on the day since 2014.
Christchurch will also host a Warriors match in 2026 at the new Te Kaha Stadium.
The Warriors currently sit fourth in the NRL standings with six rounds remaining before the finals.
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.
