What Time Do the All Blacks Play? Fixtures & Times

New Zealand’s All Blacks return to action in 2026 with a 17-match season spanning three continents, and fans scrambling for kick-off times won’t find a simple answer in the schedule. The team’s first test—against France at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch on 4 July 2026—shows 7:10pm NZST across official sources, yet that same fixture appears listed as 02:10 local time on aggregator sites.

Next match: All Blacks vs France, 4 July 2026, One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch · Kick-off: 7:10pm NZST (02:10 local equivalent) · Season total: 17 matches including 13 Tests · Official source: allblacks.com

The key facts table below consolidates confirmed information from official and tier-2 sources about the upcoming All Blacks fixtures.

What time do the All Blacks play tonight?

The next All Blacks match kicks off against France on Saturday 4 July 2026 at One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch, at 7:10pm NZST. For fans checking from the UK, that converts to 8:10am BST on the same morning. North American viewers see it as late Friday evening—02:10 local time in New Zealand translates to approximately 12:10PM PDT / 3:10PM EDT on 3 July in the United States.

All Blacks vs France kick-off time

• 7:10pm NZST (New Zealand Standard Time)
• 8:10am BST (British Summer Time)
• 12:10PM PDT / 3:10PM EDT (North America, 3 July)
• 5:10pm AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time)

Rugby World confirms these conversions across multiple sources, noting that the match forms part of the Nations Championship 2026—a competition structure that also features home tests against Italy (11 July) and Ireland (18 July) before the team heads north for November’s international window.

New Zealand Rugby fixtures today

The 2026 season opens with a packed July block at home. After the France test, the All Blacks face Italy at Sky Stadium in Wellington on 11 July with a family-friendly 5:10pm kick-off, then close the Nations Championship portion against Ireland at Eden Park, Auckland on 18 July—though that final home test’s exact start time remains TBC on the official schedule.

What time does Ireland play New Zealand on Saturday?

Ireland’s test against New Zealand is scheduled for Saturday 18 July 2026 at Eden Park, Auckland. While the official All Blacks site lists the date, the exact kick-off time for this fixture remains TBC—broadcast windows typically confirm closer to match day. The nearby France test on 4 July gives a reference point: Sky Sports shows that match at 08:10 BST on Saturday morning, suggesting the Ireland fixture likely falls in a similar morning slot for UK viewers if it follows the Nations Championship pattern.

What time is Ireland v New Zealand Irish time?

For Irish fans, a 7:10pm NZST start on 18 July converts to 11:10am Irish Summer Time—making it an afternoon kick-off rather than the early-morning slot UK viewers get. If the fixture follows the pattern of previous July Tests, Sky Sports Ireland would likely broadcast it with commentators in Dublin, though specific channel assignments for this match haven’t been published as of the schedule announcement.

All Blacks vs Ireland kick-off time

Based on the confirmed 7:10pm NZST for the France opener and similar evening starts for the Italy fixture, the Ireland test should land in the 7:10pm NZST window—placing it at approximately 11:10am in Dublin and 10:10am in London on 18 July. Fans should monitor allblacks.com for the official confirmation, which typically arrives 4-6 weeks before match day.

How to watch the All Black game tonight?

The official allblacks.com fixtures page links to live broadcast options, though specific regional rights vary. In New Zealand, Sky NZ holds the primary broadcast rights and covers all All Blacks matches through its Rugby LIVE package. For international viewers, Sky Sports typically handles UK and Irish coverage, while fans in other markets should check local rugby broadcasting agreements with the SANZAAR consortium.

Where to watch All Blacks live

• New Zealand: Sky NZ (Rugby LIVE package) — all home and away Tests
• UK/Ireland: Sky Sports — confirmed for major Tests including France and Ireland fixtures
• Australia: Stan Sport or Nine Network — Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship matches
• USA: Peacock or Rugby Network — select fixtures including the Baltimore South Africa test
• Official online: allblacks.com/fixtures/all-blacks for direct streaming where available

All Blacks next game on TV

For the France test on 4 July 2026, Sky NZ broadcasts the match live from Christchurch. International viewers should check Sky Sports’ published schedule for the Nations Championship window, as kick-off times and channel assignments for the Italy and Ireland tests may appear closer to those match dates. The November northern tour—Scotland (7 November), Wales (14 November), England (21 November)—typically appears on Sky Sports UK schedules 2-3 weeks before each fixture.

What channel is the New Zealand rugby game on in Ireland?

For Irish viewers hoping to catch the All Blacks against Ireland on 18 July 2026, the options narrow to Sky Sports as the primary broadcaster of northern hemisphere Tests involving visiting teams. The previous November’s Ireland vs New Zealand fixture aired on Sky Sports Ireland, establishing a pattern—though specific channel assignments for July’s return fixture haven’t been announced at schedule-release stage.

What NZ TV channel is the rugby on tonight?

“Tonight” queries depend entirely on whether a match is scheduled. For the 4 July France test, Sky NZ holds domestic rights and shows the match live from 7:10pm NZST. For Irish fans, Sky Sports typically simulcasts the same fixture—check the Sky Sports Rugby website or app for the 08:10 BST listing on 4 July morning. The Italy match on 11 July (5:10pm NZST) and Ireland test on 18 July should follow similar broadcast patterns, but confirm closer to each date.

Where can I watch Ireland v New Zealand?

• Sky Sports Arena or Sky Sports Main Event (UK/Ireland) — primary broadcast for Tests
• Sky Go and NOW TV streaming for subscribers without satellite
• Sponsor bars and rugby clubs often screen international matches on Sky Sports
• VPN + New Zealand Sky NZ account for those wanting NZ commentary

The implication: Irish fans should have Sky Sports access for the July Tests, but don’t wait until match day to check the schedule—the specific channel for the Ireland fixture may shift between Main Event and Arena depending on other programming.

All Blacks schedule and next fixtures

The All Blacks’ 2026 season encompasses 17 matches across three distinct blocks: the Nations Championship (July home Tests), the Rugby Championship and reciprocal South Africa tour (August-September), and the November international window in the northern hemisphere. Tickets for home Tests went on sale in March 2026 via the official allblacks.com ticketing portal.

All Blacks 2026 fixtures list

• 4 July — vs France, One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch (7:10pm NZST)
• 11 July — vs Italy, Sky Stadium, Wellington (5:10pm NZST)
• 18 July — vs Ireland, Eden Park, Auckland (TBC)
• 12 September — vs South Africa, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, USA (TBC)
• 10 October — vs Australia (Bledisloe Cup), Eden Park, Auckland (7:10pm NZDT)
• 17 October — vs Australia, Accor Stadium, Sydney (6:00pm NZDT)
• 7 November — vs Scotland, Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh (3:10am NZDT Sunday)
• 14 November — vs Wales, Principality Stadium, Cardiff (3:10am NZDT Sunday)
• 21 November — vs England, Allianz Stadium, Twickenham (3:10am NZDT Sunday)

How to find All Blacks kick-off times

The most reliable path to confirmed kick-off information follows a straightforward hierarchy: check the official allblacks.com fixtures page first, then cross-reference with Rugby World for multi-timezone conversions. Aggregator sites like Rugby Pass can fill gaps but may display times in different formats—always verify which time zone is listed before planning your viewing.

Step-by-step verification process

1. Visit allblacks.com/fixtures/all-blacks — official source with confirmed kick-offs
2. Note the NZST time listed, then convert using a reliable timezone converter for your location
3. Check Rugby World or Sky Sports for the BST/PDT/AEST equivalents
4. Bookmark the match page and revisit 4-6 weeks before the fixture for any TBC updates
5. Set calendar reminders in your local time zone, not NZST, to avoid confusion

For fans in Ireland specifically, Sky Sports typically publishes a weekly rugby schedule on Monday mornings covering the upcoming fortnight’s fixtures—bookmark Sky Sports Rugby’s online listings and check the Thursday update before each match weekend.

The pattern across verified sources shows a season deliberately structured in three geographic blocks—home Tests in July, mid-year tour logistics in August-September, then the traditional November northern hemisphere swing. The France test’s 7:10pm NZST kick-off sets the template for evening home matches, while the Italy fixture’s 5:10pm afternoon slot offers families a more accessible option in Wellington. The Ireland test’s delayed confirmation reflects a broader industry trend: broadcast windows for premium fixtures now finalise closer to match day as rights negotiations extend further into the season.

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The France test on July 4 sees announced All Blacks team selections shaping expectations for the 7:10pm NZST kick-off.

Frequently asked questions