New Zealanders love their sports. If you’re visiting from overseas, you might be surprised by how different the country’s sporting culture is. While soccer, football, ice hockey and basketball are some of the crowd-drawing sports in North America and Europe, you are likely to find the sporting experience in New Zealand different, but no less entertaining.
Whether you’re sports mad or just curious to learn about New Zealand’s sporting culture, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to experience it while you’re here.
From rugby stadiums packed with crowds to adrenaline-pumping adventure sports, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. So, if you’re visiting NZ and want to dive into the local sports scene, make sure you check out these sports while you are here.
If it’s not soccer or football that Kiwis obsess over, what sport is it? If there’s one sport that defines New Zealand, it’s rugby. The All Blacks, the national team, are known worldwide for their global dominance over the sport. If you love rugby, you’ll enjoy watching this powerhouse team take on their opponents. Rugby is generally played in winter. Although let’s be honest, you’ll find some sort of match on television anytime between mid-February and November.
If you’re new to the sport, there’s more to enjoy than just the game itself. The All Black’s are known for giving a powerful haka before every game. If you get a chance to watch a live match, do it. The energy is electric, and you’ll feel like a true Kiwi for the night.
Some of the best places to watch a rugby match include Eden Park in Auckland, the country’s biggest stadium, Sky Stadium in Wellington, known as “The Cake Tin” and Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin—a covered stadium with an amazing atmosphere.
The All Blacks have several home fixtures scheduled in New Zealand for 2025.
July Series against France:
Saturday, 5 July 2025: New Zealand vs. France at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin.
Saturday, 12 July 2025: New Zealand vs. France at Sky Stadium, Wellington.
Saturday, 19 July 2025: New Zealand vs. France at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton.
Rugby Championship:
Saturday, 6 September 2025: New Zealand vs. South Africa at Eden Park, Auckland.
Saturday, 13 September 2025: New Zealand vs. South Africa at Sky Stadium, Wellington.
Saturday, 27 September 2025: New Zealand vs. Australia at Eden Park, Auckland.
If you’re wondering how the small-island nation of New Zealand dominates at a global sport, provincial rugby is your answer. While the All Blacks and Super Rugby teams grab international attention, provincial rugby—played between New Zealand regions—is well-supported throughout small towns and large cities.
The Bunnings Warehouse NPC (National Provincial Championship) is New Zealand's domestic rugby competition. The 2025 season starts in August, with games held in all provinces.
See a provincial rugby team at stadiums around the country, including:
Auckland: Auckland Gulls, playing at Eden Park.
Wellington: Wellington Lions, playing at Sky Stadium.
Christchurch: Canterbury, playing at Orangetheory Stadium.
Hamilton: Waikato Mooloos, playing at FMG Stadium Waikato.
Dunedin: Otago, playing at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
New Plymouth: Taranaki Bulls, playing at Yarrow Stadium.
Napier: Hawke’s Bay Magpies, playing at McLean Park.
Palmerston North: Manawatū Turbos, playing at Central Energy Trust Arena.
Nelson: Tasman Mako, playing at Trafalgar Park.
Invercargill: Home of the Southland Stags, playing at Rugby Park Stadium.
Whangārei: Northland Taniwha, playing at Semenoff Stadium.
Going to an All Blacks game isn’t your only opportunity to watch international rugby in New Zealand. The Super Rugby Pacific is an international rugby union competition that includes teams from New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, and the Pacific Islands.
The 2025 season began on 14 February and includes 11 teams competing in a round-robin tournament—each playing 14 matches with two byes. The top six teams will then advance to the finals series, finishing in the Grand Final. Games are played in New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.
Watching sports in pubs and bars is a popular pastime in New Zealand. You can also get in on the action by attending a game at stadiums across the country. Each of the five New Zealand teams hosts home matches in their respective cities:
Blues: Eden Park, Auckland
Chiefs: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Hurricanes: Sky Stadium, Wellington
Crusaders: Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Highlanders: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
In the few months that rugby isn’t on television, cricket dominates. The national team, the Black Caps, have a reputation for being one of the best teams in the world. Watching a cricket match is a classic Kiwi experience, and the best venues include:
Cricket can be a complicated sport, but the many variations of the game make it a bit easier to get into. Watching a game of cricket is a great opportunity to pack a picnic, grab a spot on the grass, and hang out with your friends and family. Here are some formats you might want to watch:
New Zealand’s domestic cricket competitions, the Plunket Shield (First-Class), Ford Trophy (One-Day), and Super Smash (T20), feature top local and international players.
Netball is one of New Zealand’s most popular sports, especially for women. The national team, the Silver Ferns, are among the best in the world. You can watch it at venues such as Spark Arena in Auckland and Claudelands Arena in Hamilton. Many cities and towns also have competitive and social leagues for mixed teams of men and women, if you’re keen on hitting the court yourself.
Soccer or football is also growing in popularity, with Wellington Phoenix competing in the A-League and playing at Sky Stadium in Wellington. The Phoenix are known for having the most dedicated fan base in the country. It’s well worth checking out a game during their summer season in Wellington.
Rugby league has a strong following, with the New Zealand Warriors playing in the Australian NRL. Their home ground, Go Media Stadium in Auckland, is the best place to experience the sport’s big hits and fast-paced games. You’ll also find rugby league broadcasts on Sky Sports and in many pubs throughout the country.
If there’s one thing you should know about sports in New Zealand, it would be that Kiwis are obsessed with adventure and pretty much invented extreme sports.
Try bungee jumping at Kawarau Bridge in Queenstown, skydiving over Taupō, Queenstown, or the Bay of Islands, or white-water rafting and jet boating in Rotorua or Queenstown.
New Zealand has a proud history in sailing, having won the America’s Cup multiple times. Auckland, known as the "City of Sails", is the perfect place to take a boat tour or try sailing in the harbour. For something more hands-on, try kayaking and paddleboarding in Abel Tasman National Park—it's an unforgettable way to explore the country’s stunning coastline.
New Zealand has some of the most scenic golf courses in the world. Cape Kidnappers in Hawke’s Bay offers clifftop views that will take your breath away, while Jacks Point in Queenstown is set against the dramatic backdrop of The Remarkables mountains. Whether you’re a serious golfer or simply want to enjoy the scenery, these courses are worth a visit.
Want to play sports instead of just watching them while travelling in New Zealand? It’s easier than you think to get involved in local sports. Many cities have social leagues for football, touch rugby, and netball that welcome casual players.
If you’re more into individual activities, you can rent sports equipment like bikes, surfboards, and golf clubs in most tourist hubs. Adventure sports tours also offer guided experiences for visitors looking to try activities like canyoning, caving, or off-road biking.
Whether you’re cheering for the All Blacks, enjoying a cricket match, or jumping off a bridge (on purpose!), there’s something for every kind of sports fan in New Zealand.
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