Hurricanes vs Chiefs Super Rugby Pacific final sells out in 15 minutes as Wellington prepares for 34,500-strong crowd

The 2026 Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final between the Hurricanes and the Chiefs sold out within 15 minutes of tickets going on public sale at 10am NZT on Tuesday, with 34,500 fans set to pack Wellington’s Hnry Stadium on Saturday 20 June. The sell-out follows a members’ pre-sale on Sunday that also evaporated within hours.

It will be the first Super Rugby Pacific final held in Wellington since the Hurricanes defeated the Lions to claim the 2016 title — a decade-long wait that has only sharpened appetite for the occasion. The Hurricanes finished top of the regular-season table and reached the final by defeating the Brumbies in a qualifying final before overcoming the Blues last Saturday. The Chiefs, meanwhile, produced what was widely regarded as a standout performance against the Crusaders the previous Friday at a sold-out FMG Stadium Waikato.

Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley said the rapid sell-out reflected the competition’s growth in 2026. “To see the Grand Final sell out so quickly is a fantastic result for our competition, the clubs and our fans,” Mesley said. “The Hurricanes and the Chiefs have both produced outstanding rugby throughout the season and it’s exciting to see so many fans eager to be part of what promises to be a special occasion. The atmosphere in Wellington on Saturday night is going to be incredible and we can’t wait to see a packed Hnry Stadium for our pinnacle event.”

Hurricanes CEO Tony Philp echoed the sentiment, crediting the city’s response. “To see Hnry Stadium sold out for a Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final is a fantastic moment for our club and for the Hurricanes region,” Philp said. “This is exactly what the club hopes for at the start of the season — the chance to play in front of a packed stadium with a championship on the line. The city has embraced the opportunity to host the biggest match of the Super Rugby Pacific season.”

The two finalists are the highest-ranked sides from the 2026 regular season, setting up a meeting between the competition’s form teams at the venue known colloquially as the “cake tin”.