All Blacks 2024 Test schedule announced

All Blacks 2024 Test schedule announced
·         14 Tests across nine countries
·         5 home Tests across Dunedin, Auckland and Wellington
·         All Blacks v Fiji at SnapDragon Stadium in San Diego
·         Back to back Tests in South Africa

Home Tests in Dunedin, Auckland and Wellington and an historic clash with Fiji in San Diego headline a blockbuster 14-Test season for the All Blacks under new Head Coach Scott Robertson.

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has announced the All Blacks full 2024 Test schedule, which will start against England in front of home fans at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Saturday 6 July for the first of three Steinlager Ultra Low Carb Series Tests.

The All Blacks will play England in a return match at Eden Park in Auckland a week later before rounding out a unique third leg of the Steinlager Ultra Low Carb Series in a one-off rugby showcase in San Diego against fast-rising World Cup quarterfinalists Fiji. The All Blacks have played in San Diego once previously, against the USA in 1980.

Back to back Tests against Argentina at Sky Stadium in Wellington on Saturday 10 August and Eden Park on Saturday 17 August respectively will kick off an All Blacks Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship defence before back to back Tests against the Springboks in South Africa. The Rugby Championship campaign concludes with Bledisloe Cup Tests in Sydney on 21 September, and Sky Stadium in Wellington on 28 September.

The 2024 campaign concludes with a Northern Tour that starts against Japan in Yokohama on 26 October and takes in four November Tests against England, Ireland, France, and Italy.

“Playing England under the roof in Dunedin is a great start for us in a world class stadium, and then we go up to Auckland where we have a great record that we are really proud of,” Robertson said. “We then fly off to San Diego which is exciting in itself. The Fijians know their way around the world, and they’ll come out from everywhere. I know a lot of Kiwis will make the trip as well.”

Planning had already begun for the challenge that Argentina and Australia would present during the Rugby Championship while the tour to South Africa was expected to be another highlight, he said.

“We are playing up on the Highveld at Ellis Park and then down to Cape Town – they are iconic Tests and I know a lot of Kiwis will be excited about that. It is a great chance to find out about ourselves against the world champions. It’s a chance to support us locally but also internationally. It’s also a chance to get behind this team and experience it with us, which is the exciting thing about it. And be proud to wear your All Blacks jersey no matter where we go.”

All 14 All Blacks Tests will be live and exclusive in New Zealand on Sky TV. Tickets for the Steinlager Ultra Low Carb Series will go on sale to the public from 10am Wednesday 29 May. Tickets for the Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship will go sale to the public from 10am 19 June. Fans can register their interest to purchase tickets HERE

NZR CEO Mark Robinson said:

“There is no better way to start the year on home soil. To have four of the first five Tests of 2024 at home in Aotearoa Dunedin, Wellington and Auckland is a great result and we’re excited to be taking the All Blacks to San Diego to play Fiji. It’s been a long-held ambition for New Zealand Rugby and part of our wider strategy to increase the visibility and understanding of rugby in North America and to build our brand presence ahead the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups in 2031 and 2033 respectively.

“The All Blacks and Fiji share a deep connection to the game of rugby and to the Pacific region and we’d like to thank USA Rugby and our event partner TEG Rugby Live for embracing the opportunity to bring this Test to America. We want to deliver an event that will capture the imagination of sports fans across the United States and showcases the best qualities of our game. It promises to be unique and entertaining afternoon of rugby and Pacific culture, and a great advertisement for the game.”

Terry Davies, Dunedin Venues CEO said: “We are thrilled to be hosting the opening test of the year. Forsyth Barr Stadium last hosted England in 2014, so it’s exciting to have them back for a great Northern versus Southern Hemisphere clash under the roof.”

Warrick Dent, Wellington Regional Stadium Trust CEO said: “We are delighted to be once again hosting test rugby in Wellington at Sky Stadium and are particularly pleased to bring two All Blacks matches to the capital in 2024. The matches against Rugby World Cup semi-finalists Argentina in August and the Bledisloe Cup clash with Australia in September will undoubtedly be huge occasions for Wellingtonians and visitors alike.”

Annie Dundas, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Director of Destination said.

“Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland comes alive in winter when there’s an All Blacks test match in town. Since 2015 rugby test matches have boosted Auckland’s economy by $21 million and generated 170,000 visitor nights for the region. Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, the region’s economic and cultural agency, works hard to secure, support and invest in these games for Aucklanders and visitors to enjoy.”

Nick Sautner, Eden Park CEO, was thrilled to be hosting England and Argentina: “With the All Blacks’ rich history and an unmatched winning record at Eden Park, New Zealand’s national stadium welcomes these two All Blacks fixtures to our great city for what are sure to be some of Auckland’s biggest sporting moments in 2024.”

The All Blacks full 2024 Test schedule is below: (Home fixtures in bold)