Round One of the 2026 Hilux NPC is about so much more than rugby.

On Saturday 1 August, Canterbury Rugby begins the next chapter of its history as we step into our new home at One NZ Stadium. It's the start of a new era for our community, and everyone's invited.

Now is the time to create new memories, celebrate the game we love, and come together under one roof in the heart of our city.

The housewarming begins well before the 7.10pm kick-off.

At 1.00pm, a Tane Norton match between Waitaha and Canterbury Pasifika will be played where it all began, Lancaster Park. Following the match Waitaha Māori Rugby and Ngāi Tūāhuriri will lift and bless soil from the grounds, acknowledging the integral role that Lancaster Park has played in Canterbury's history.

From there, invited guests, club representatives and delegates will take part in the Legacy Walk through the streets of Christchurch, a hīkoi from Lancaster Park to One NZ Stadium.
As the procession approaches our new home, the public is invited to gather on the Te Kaha precinct from 4.45pm to welcome them before the stadium gates open.

Once inside, there'll be plenty happening before kick-off. The North Pad will be buzzing with activities for the young and the young at heart. Get your face painted, grab a hotdog, get your red & black merch, and soak up the atmosphere before settling in for a blockbuster night of provincial rugby.

And what a way to open the season.

Two of New Zealand's most successful provinces will go head-to-head, with Auckland's 17 NPC titles meeting Canterbury's 15 in one of the competition's greatest rivalries. It's a fixture built on history, physicality and provincial pride, and there's no better occasion to renew it than the opening night in our new home.

As if that wasn't enough, iconic Christchurch band Shapeshifter will take centre stage at halftime with a special DJ set featuring Nicky Research and frontman P.Digsss, adding another unforgettable moment to an already historic evening.

Committed to creating an experience that goes well beyond the 80 minutes on the field, Round One is shaping up to be one of the biggest nights on Canterbury's sporting calendar.

Moments like these are best shared, which is why we're committed to making our opening night one the whole community can be part of. With adult tickets from just $10, kids just $5, and family passes available for $45, gather your mates, bring the whānau, click here to help us fill our new home.

Looking to make the night even more special? Single-match hospitality packages are available here, with bookings closing at 5.00pm on Tuesday 28 July.

This is more than Round One. It's the beginning of a new era.

Welcome home Canterbury