Partnership announced between One NZ Warriors, Venues Ōtautahi and ChristchurchNZ

One NZ Warriors have partnered with Venues Ōtautahi and ChristchurchNZ to play NRL home games in the country’s second biggest city for the first time.

On the back of their landmark 2023 campaign, the three-year deal will see the One New Zealand Warriors taking an NRL home game to Christchurch for each of the next three seasons.

The One New Zealand Warriors have also further cemented their relationship with the South Island sporting community by confirming they will again play a Preseason Challenge match in Christchurch in February having also done so this year when they faced Melbourne there.

Under the partnership, the 2024 and 2025 fixtures will be played at Apollo Projects Stadium before taking the 2026 game to Christchurch’s new international arena Te Kaha, which is currently under construction.

One New Zealand Warriors Chief Executive Cameron George noted “this is such an exciting step forward for us as a club.

“We’ve been eager to bring NRL games to the region for some time and the building of Te Kaha has helped to make that a reality.

“We’re so grateful to Venues Ōtautahi and ChristchurchNZ for enabling this to happen and look forward to playing in front of full houses in Christchurch from next year.”

Details of the opponent and date for the first match next season will be revealed along with the full 2024 draw early next week.

Venues Ōtautahi Chief EXecutive Caroline Harvie-Teare enthused “we’re thrilled to join the Warriors in this venture. They’ve been the best sporting story of the year with everyone getting onboard for the ride.

“Having them in Christchurch twice in 2024 is going to be a huge attraction not just for the city but also for the whole of the South Island.”

It has been confirmed that the One New Zealand Warriors’ trial match next year will be against the Benji Marshall-coached Wests Tigers at Apollo Projects Stadium on Sunday, 18th February  (2.00pm kick-off).

The One New Zealand Warriors have played eight NRL matches in Christchurch before, all away fixtures brought to the city by the Sydney Tigers in 1996, the Wests Tigers in 2004, 2005 and 2006, the Sydney Roosters in 2010, Penrith in 2016 and Manly Warringah in 2018 and 2019.

They also played a Super League World Club Championship match against Warrington at Lancaster Park in 1997.

Image (from left): Danny Schroder of Venues Ōtautahi; Cameron George, One NZ Warriors, Caroline Harvie-Teare of Venues Ōtautahi; Loren Aberhart of ChristchurchNZ and Glenn Critchley One NZ Warriors.