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 at Eden Park in 2025.
What are the 2026 Bledisloe Cup fixtures?
| Match | Date | Venue | Kickoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand v Australia | Saturday 10 October 2026 | Eden Park, Auckland | 19:10 venue local time, according to the World Rugby match listing; confirm the event page before travel or tuning in. |
| Australia v New Zealand | Saturday 17 October 2026 | Stadium Australia, Sydney (also listed by Rugby Australia as Accor Stadium) | 15:45 venue local time, according to the World Rugby match listing; confirm the event page before travel or tuning in. |
World Rugby’s calendar displays a second “My Time” value that depends on the page’s selected time zone. The times above are venue-local, not universal broadcast times.
Who won the latest Bledisloe Cup?
New Zealand beat Australia 33–24 at Eden Park on 27 September 2025 and retained the trophy, according to Rugby Australia’s match report. The report said New Zealand had secured the cup before the teams played the second Test in Perth. The 2026 matches had not yet taken place as of 4 October 2026, so there is no 2026 result to report at that date.
What is the Bledisloe Cup, and how many matches are in the series?
The Bledisloe Cup is contested by the men’s national rugby teams of Australia, the Wallabies, and New Zealand, the All Blacks. Charles Bathurst, Lord Bledisloe, presented the trophy in 1932, and the unions agreed to contest it annually from 1982, according to World Rugby’s history.
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The number of Tests has changed over time. The 2026 calendar lists two matches. New Zealand Rugby’s historical overview describes a three-match arrangement as of 2016; that is not the 2026 format. New Zealand Rugby’s overview provides that earlier context.
What happens if the series is tied?
The 2026 schedule confirms two Tests, but the sources cited here do not establish the current formal rule for a drawn series or explain how the trophy would be allocated in that case. It would be misleading to infer an aggregate-points or retention rule. The verified recent example is specific: in 2025, New Zealand won the first of two matches and Rugby Australia reported that the All Blacks had retained the cup.
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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.
Where can you watch the 2026 Bledisloe Cup?
Broadcast rights depend on country, and a match-specific 2026 broadcaster has not been confirmed by the sources cited here. Check the current match announcement from Rugby Australia, New Zealand Rugby and the All Blacks, or your local rights holder for your territory and whether coverage is live or on demand.
For context only, Rugby Australia’s guide to the September 2025 Test named Channel 9 and Stan Sport for Australian viewers. That historical information does not confirm either service’s 2026 rights. See the 2025 viewing guide.
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What future Bledisloe 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 2027, 2029 and 2031. Each is planned as part of a three-Test series, with the remaining matches to be scheduled later in the Rugby Championship calendar, one in each country. The announcement says the 2028 and 2030 contests are planned as two-match series because of the Nations Championship. These are announced plans and may change; consult New Zealand Rugby’s announcement for updates.
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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.
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