Black Ferns confirm full 2026 schedule with free exhibition match in Upper Hutt

New Zealand’s Black Ferns have confirmed their complete 2026 international schedule, adding a free-to-attend exhibition match against the Black Ferns XV on August 14 at Maidstone Park in Upper Hutt to an already packed calendar that stretches through to October.

The exhibition fixture pits the country’s leading players against those pushing for selection, and will be free to watch in person and online via the Black Ferns’ YouTube channel and official website. It is the first fixture of a home window that also includes the second O’Reilly Cup match against Australia on August 22 at Go Media Stadium in Auckland.

Having already claimed the 2026 Pacific Four Series with three bonus-point victories in April, the Black Ferns then travel to South Africa for a double-header with the Springbok Women on September 5 at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, part of the All Blacks and Springboks’ Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Series.

The European leg of the WXV Global Series follows in September, with matches against France in Lyon on September 12, Scotland at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh on September 19, and England at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on September 26.

The Black Ferns then return home for a three-Test series against France in October, with matches in Hamilton, Whangārei, and a season finale on October 31 at the new One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch.