The 2026 Bledisloe Cup is a two-test rugby union series held between Australia and New Zealand in October 2026. Usually contested in the Rugby Championship (since 1996), the rugby union trophy was held as a standalone series due to the restructuring of the Rugby Championship from its usual annual format following the New Zealand tour of South Africa, which excluded 2026 and 2030 editions.
Background
Beginning in 2022, the Bledisloe Cup was reduced to two tests from three, a mutual decision by Rugby Australia (RA) and New Zealand Rugby (NZR). These test matches, with the exception of Rugby World Cup (RWC) years, would make up two of the fixtures in the Rugby Championship. In 2025 it was announced that the Rugby Championship format would be restructured from its annual format in 2026 and 2030 with New Zealand and South Africa confirming reciprocal tours for those years. Rugby Australia confirmed the Wallabies' 2026 schedule, which would still include their traditional Rugby Championship opponents and a tour of Argentina. The prospect of cross-SANZAAR tours as a replacement for the Rugby Championship between 2027 and 2028, as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald, was scrapped after lobbying efforts from RA CEO Phil Waugh at a SANZAAR meeting in London. This meant the Rugby Championship would remain unchanged for 2027, 2028, and 2029.
Venues Australia's home test for the Bledisloe Cup series was revealed in November 2025 following Rugby Australia's release of the Wallabies' 2026 schedule. At the time of the announcement, their home venue, Stadium Australia, had only played host to three test since 2020: two against New Zealand, one against the British & Irish Lions in 2025. New Zealand announced their test schedule the following month, revealing Eden Park as the venue to host the opening match of the 2026 Bledisloe Cup.
Auckland Eden Park Capacity: 60,000 Sydney Stadium Australia Capacity: 83,000
Squads Caps and ages are as of the first match of the series (10 October 2026).
Australia On 30 September 2026, Australia named a 34-man squad ahead of the Bledisloe Cup series.
On 1 October 2026, Hunter Paisami, who was initially named in the 34-man squad, was replaced by Jock Campbell after being suspended for four games following a citation for a dangerous tackle in Australia's previous match.
Head Coach: Les Kiss
New Zealand On 29 September 2026, New Zealand announced a 34-man squad ahead of the two Tests against Australia.
Head Coach: Dave Rennie
Test series First test
Assistant referees: Luke Pearce (England) Damián Schneider (Argentina) Television match official: Mike Adamson (Scotland) Foul play review officer: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Second test
Assistant referees: Andrew Brace (Ireland) Damián Schneider (Argentina) Television match official: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa) Foul play review officer: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
See also 2026 Australia tour of Argentina 2026 New Zealand tour of South Africa 2026 men's rugby union internationals
References