Christchurch Super Round doubles projected spend as 73,000 fans pack new stadium

Super Rugby Pacific’s first Super Round held in New Zealand delivered $13.1 million in visitor spend to Christchurch over a three-day festival in 2026, more than doubling the $6.1 million that event organisers had projected, according to a report by research firm Fresh Info.

A total of 73,187 fans attended the five sold-out matches at One New Zealand Stadium, the Crusaders’ newly opened roofed home after 14 seasons at a temporary venue. More than 20,000 of those supporters travelled specifically for the event, including fans from the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, while more than 16,500 domestic visitors made the trip to Christchurch — a figure that far exceeded pre-event expectations.

Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley said the figures demonstrated rugby’s capacity to generate tangible economic value for host communities. “The sellout crowds, quality of rugby and atmosphere across the three days made Super Round a memorable occasion for fans and teams alike. What the report shows is that the impact extended well beyond the stadium,” Mesley said. “It’s a great demonstration of how rugby can bring people together and create real value for the communities that host our biggest events.”

The weekend also marked the formal debut of One New Zealand Stadium, a milestone the Crusaders had been building toward for over a decade. Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge described the occasion as significant for both the club and the wider Canterbury region. “I don’t think anyone who was there will forget the weekend in a hurry. We saw packed stands, great rugby and a city that came alive around the event,” he said.

The opening match between the Crusaders and the Waratahs was the most-watched game of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific regular season, with more than 1.2 million viewers tuning in domestically.

Christchurch’s acting mayor, Victoria Henstock, highlighted the event as proof that the city’s rebuilt centre is capable of hosting major international occasions. The weekend featured ten team signing sessions, live-site activations and a Fan Trail connecting the central city to the stadium. “Our rebuilt and revitalised vibrant city centre was made for major events like this,” Henstock said, adding that the long-term reputational benefits of hosting such events extend beyond immediate economic returns.

The future location of Super Round has not yet been confirmed, leaving open the question of whether Christchurch will bid to host the event again.