Christchurch has head start to host Super Round again, after 70,000-plus fans attended opening weekend

Monday, 27 April 2026

Don’t be surprised if Super Round returns to Christchurch next year.

Nothing has been confirmed as yet, but Super Rugby boss Jack Mesley said the ‘incredible’ past three days of rugby in the city meant key parties were eager to ensure it was not a one-off.

Shortly after the Chiefs wrapped up the weekend by beating the Drua, Mesley addressed media on Sunday evening alongside Crusaders boss Colin Mansbridge and ChristchurchNZ chief executive Ali Adams.

After more than 70,000 fans packed out the shiny new One New Zealand Stadium across Friday-Sunday, Super Round was declared a major success, with all three parties eager to continue the partnership.

“It’s fair to say, whilst we had high hopes, we certainly didn’t probably expect the success that it’s been this weekend,” Mesley said.

“I think the success of it obviously means that we want Super Round in our calendar, and we want it in great cities like Christchurch.”

Asked what the process would be moving forward, Mesley highlighted the importance of conversations with ChristchurchNZ, the primary economic development and city profile agency for the city, which backed this year’s event.

After Highlanders players and coaches expressed a desire for Super Round to be played in Dunedin next year, Mesley confirmed there were other interested parties.

However, after a Mansbridge phone call to Mesley was behind Super Round moving to Christchurch’s new $683 million stadium after falling flat in Melbourne, the Garden City has a head start.

“Obviously, these guys, the Crusaders, and the city backed it to bring it back. We will certainly be starting there. But, you know, we will have conversations with others as well.”

“Not many, if any,” Mansbridge interjected, the second time he used local musician Scribe lyrics during the post Super Round press conference.

Adams said ChristchurchNZ was eager to discuss a new deal, potentially a multi-year one, as the city has with Supercars, which was held last week.

After 13,000 visitors flocked to the city for the Super Round, Adams pointed to the stadium’s central city location, proximity to the airport, and the number of beds in Christchurch, as advantages in ensuring the event isn’t snatched away

The stadium’s location was a talking point throughout round 11 of Super Rugby, with surrounding bars and streets humming before and after matches, a game-changer for the Crusaders game-day experience.

Some punters and players even suggested the stadium, and bus ride to it through a pulsing city centre, resembled a European experience.

“It should bring in well over $6 million of visitor spend [this year], and I think that’s probably conservative. When we do the final wash up, it feels like, because we had such good weather, and people were out and about spending money, I think we’ll over deliver,” she said.

“That’s [Supercars] a three-year contract and that really helps. So we would love to be able to make this a bit of a super week that we can start to really own here in Christchurch.

“I think the best events are the ones where they are rooted in place and stay there. Things like Electric Avenue, which has become such a very important event for us here in Christchurch.”

Mesley said a multi-year deal in one city was beneficial, allowing officials to lock in dates well in advance.

In turn, Mesley said, that would allow travelling fans to cement travel plans in advance and ensure this year’s event wasn’t a one-off in terms of success.

“Yeah, I am,” Mesley said when asked asked if he was confident the novelty factor wouldn’t wear off Christchurch and its new stadium in three years, hitting crowd numbers.

“Obviously, Friday night was a very special moment, and there’s no doubt the whole event got the benefit of the increased publicity of it being the opening of the stadium.

“But if we just park those things for a moment, I think what you saw in there is an environment in a stadium fans want, and probably missing in New Zealand since the [Wellington] sevens.”

The Hurricanes, Blues, Highlanders and Chiefs, who gave up home games in their traditional venues, were all better off financially after ‘hosting’ games in front of 25,000 strong crowds in Christchurch, Mesley said.