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The 2026 Bledisloe Cup is scheduled as two Tests: New Zealand hosts Australia at Eden Park on 10 October, followed by Australia hosting New Zealand in Sydney on 17 October. As of 4 October 2026, both matches are upcoming. New Zealand is the latest confirmed holder after beating Australia 33–24 in 2025. Current 2026 broadcast rights have not been confirmed by the cited official sources, so where to watch depends on your country and the match-specific rights announcement.
When are the 2026 Bledisloe Cup matches?
The official calendar lists two Tests in October 2026:
| Date | Fixture | Venue | Kickoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, 10 October 2026 | New Zealand v Australia | Eden Park, Auckland | 19:10 venue time, as listed by World Rugby |
| Saturday, 17 October 2026 | Australia v New Zealand | Accor Stadium, Sydney (listed by World Rugby as Stadium Australia) | 15:45 venue time, as listed by World Rugby |
Kickoff times are local to each venue. Confirm the event’s current match details before setting reminders, especially if you are viewing from another time zone. The Sydney venue is called Accor Stadium in Rugby Australia’s announcement and Stadium Australia in the World Rugby calendar.
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Where can you watch the Bledisloe Cup in 2026?
There is no confirmed 2026 broadcast-rights listing in the cited sources for Australia, New Zealand, or other territories. Check the match-specific announcement from Rugby Australia, New Zealand Rugby or the relevant local rights holder. Confirm whether coverage is live or on demand and whether it is free-to-air or requires a subscription.
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For historical context only, Rugby Australia’s guide to the September 2025 Test named Channel 9 and Stan Sport for Australian viewers. That 2025 information does not confirm coverage of the 2026 matches: Rugby Australia’s 2025 viewing guide.
What is the Bledisloe Cup?
The Bledisloe Cup is the trans-Tasman trophy contested by the men’s national rugby teams of Australia, the Wallabies, and New Zealand, the All Blacks. Charles Bathurst, Lord Bledisloe, presented the cup in 1932. The two national unions agreed to contest it annually in 1982, according to World Rugby’s history of the competition.
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- EASY CARE: Prior to training or a match, use a soft cloth, light detergent, and warm water to remove dirt and residue from your rugby ball. All training/practice rugby balls and rugby game balls come deflated. Inflate them to 9.5 psi using a rugby pump, or any ball pump. Gilbert training balls are a great choice for any rugby team or player looking for an uncompromising, high-quality rugby ball.
The number of Tests has changed over time. New Zealand Rugby’s overview describes a three-match arrangement as of 2016, while the official 2026 calendar lists two matches. Treat the schedule as year-specific rather than assuming a fixed series length: New Zealand Rugby’s Bledisloe Cup overview.
How many games are in the 2026 series?
Two Tests are listed for 2026, on 10 and 17 October. The first is in Auckland and the second in Sydney. This is the confirmed schedule; it does not by itself establish a general rule for every year’s series format.
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What happens if the series is tied?
The cited current sources confirm the 2026 schedule but do not provide a formal rule for a tied series or specify how the cup would be retained or transferred in that case. Do not assume an aggregate-points rule without an applicable regulation.
A recent example shows how a holder can be decided before the final scheduled Test: on 27 September 2025, New Zealand beat Australia 33–24 at Eden Park, and Rugby Australia reported that the All Blacks had retained the cup before the following week’s match in Perth. That is the outcome of the 2025 series, not a complete statement of the rules for every possible result: Rugby Australia’s 2025 match report.
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- TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED: A durable rugby practice ball you and your rugby team can trust. Featuring Gilbert's newly patented triangular surface grip pattern, the G-TR4000 represents a major step forward in grip technology on training rugby balls. Tests have shown that this new, more defined pattern is hard wearing and allows the rugby player more surface area contact with the ball when handling.
- AS TOUGH AS YOU: Thanks to its proprietary hydratec technical fabrics and waterproof laminations, the Gilbert rugby ball handles even the roughest conditions, enhancing the life and performance of the ball. Gilbert knows what it takes to produce top quality youth rugby, and adult rugby balls, that will last multiple seasons of heavy use.
- PREMIUM CONSTRUCTION: Preparing for a rugby game is serious business. Our size 5 rugby ball, as well as our size 3 and 4 size rugby ball for kids, feature a 3-ply poly-cotton and cotton laminate panels. This means that our balls will weigh slightly more, perform better on longer kicks and passes, and generally hold its shape better than a ball of 2-ply construction.
- HAND-STITCHED: In addition to our superior triangular grip pattern, and 3 ply poly cotton panels, all Gilbert rugby balls are hand stitched for durability. Pull it out of your rugby bag and trust that It's tough as nails. With over 20 years of experience, Gilbert is a trusted brand, making top-quality training equipment that stands up to the toughest challenges, making it the ultimate rugby game ball.
- EASY CARE: Prior to training or a match, use a soft cloth, light detergent, and warm water to remove dirt and residue from your rugby ball. All training/practice rugby balls and rugby game balls come deflated. Inflate them to 9.5 psi using a rugby pump, or any ball pump. Gilbert training balls are a great choice for any rugby team or player looking for an uncompromising, high-quality rugby ball.
Who won the last Bledisloe Cup?
New Zealand won the latest completed series identified here. The All Blacks’ 33–24 win over Australia at Eden Park on 27 September 2025 secured the cup; the 2026 fixtures had not yet been played as of 4 October 2026. Check the official match centre after each 2026 Test for results and updated trophy status.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsWhat future Bledisloe Cup fixtures have been announced?
New Zealand Rugby and Rugby Australia announced that Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium is planned to host an Anzac Day Bledisloe Test on 25 April in each of 2027, 2029 and 2031. Each is planned as part of a three-Test series, with the other two Tests scheduled later in the Rugby Championship calendar, one in each country. The same announcement says the 2028 and 2030 series are planned as two-match contests because of the Nations Championship. These are announced plans and may change: New Zealand Rugby’s announcement.
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