Eden Park is in line to host the biggest crowd in New Zealand rugby league history after the One New Zealand Warriors today confirmed they will play their annual NRL Anzac Round match at the country’s national stadium for the first time next year.
With Eden Park boasting a capacity of 50,000 for football matches, the Warriors can set a record for not only the club’s biggest crowd for a game in New Zealand but also for any rugby league match in the country.
The Warriors’ current record crowd is 38,412 for their season-opening match against the Parramatta Eels at Eden Park in 2011 while the biggest crowd for a rugby league match in the country was 47,363 for the Rugby League World Cup final between the Kiwis and the Kangaroos at the same venue in 1988.
The 2027 Anzac Round match will be the fourth year in a row and the fifth in all that the Warriors have played the game in New Zealand.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to confirm we’ll be playing at Eden Park on Anzac Day next year,” said One New Zealand Warriors CEO Cameron George.
“It will be the fourth different venue we’ve used for the match in four years.
“The occasion has such deep meaning for us playing on the day New Zealanders and Australians come together to pay respect to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. To do so at the country’s national stadium and the biggest sporting venue will make it even more special.”
The Warriors hosted the Gold Coast Titans at Go Media Stadium on Anzac Day in 2015 and again in 2024 before the occasion was taken to Christchurch for the clash against the Newcastle Knights in 2025 followed by this year’s match against the Dolphins in front of a crowd of 34,812 at Hrny Stadium in Wellington last month.
“Eden Park has hosted many of New Zealand’s greatest sporting moments, and we are delighted the One New Zealand Warriors’ Anzac Day fixture in 2027 will now be part of that history,” said Eden Park chief executive Nick Sautner.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming the Warriors, and the NRL, along with rugby league fans and visitors from across the country and Australia back to Eden Park for what promises to be a very memorable Anzac Day occasion.”
It will be the first time the Warriors have played an NRL match at Eden Park since a 54-12 win over the Canberra Raiders in May 2014.
“Aucklanders love sport and they love league, so this is going to be a fantastic event for our city,” said Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown.
“It’s great to see Auckland Council Events backing this game and helping bring another major sporting occasion to Auckland. Events like this add to the energy of our city while also attracting visitors and supporting businesses across the region.
“Anzac Day is an occasion that unites Australians and Kiwis. It reminds us of the bond we have and the sacrifices made.
“With this match taking place on a long weekend, we hope people from around the country and Australia make a full Auckland experience out of it, staying in the city, enjoying our hospitality and being part of what should be a memorable Anzac Day occasion.”
The 2027 Anzac Round match will be the seventh time the One New Zealand Warriors have played an NRL match at Eden Park while they also appeared there in the four years the venue hosted the NRL Nines in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Ticketing details and the opponents for the Anzac Round match will be announced when the 2027 NRL draw is released later this year.
