France to Face New Zealand All Blacks at New Te Kaha Stadium in Christchurch on July 4, 2026

The French national rugby team is set to face the New Zealand All Blacks on July 4, 2026, in Christchurch at the newly constructed Te Kaha Stadium. This match will open the Nations Championship for both teams and marks the first test to be played in this new venue. Te Kaha Stadium replaces the former Lancaster Park, which was demolished following the catastrophic 2011 earthquake that claimed 185 lives and devastated the region.

Since the earthquake, the All Blacks have only played five matches in Christchurch, their last encounter there being against Argentina in 2022. The upcoming July 4 match will be a significant event as it revives the rugby series in Christchurch with a state-of-the-art stadium. Following the match against France, the All Blacks are scheduled to meet Italy in Wellington on July 11 and Ireland in Auckland on July 18.

Historically, the French team has faced tough challenges against the All Blacks in New Zealand. The last match in Christchurch in 2013 resulted in a heavy 30-0 defeat for France. More recently, during their last tour, France lost three encounters against New Zealand with scores of 31-27 in Dunedin, 43-17 in Wellington, and 29-19 in Hamilton. Despite these losses, France enters the match following a triumphant victory in the Six Nations Tournament and hopes to turn the tide against the All Blacks in this highly anticipated fixture.

The rebuilding of Te Kaha Stadium is itself a symbol of recovery for Christchurch following the devastating natural disaster. It represents a new chapter for New Zealand rugby and offers a fresh home ground atmosphere for both the All Blacks and their visiting opponents, including France.

This upcoming test match brings excitement not only for its sporting significance but also for its emotional resonance as rugby returns to one of New Zealand’s key sporting cities in a newly built stadium designed to inspire both players and fans alike.