New Zealand Rugby has unveiled the 2026 National Provincial Championship (NPC) draw, marking a landmark 50 years of the competition in Aotearoa New Zealand. The NPC remains an important part of the domestic rugby landscape with communities uniting, rivalries running deep, and future All Blacks taking their first steps on the big stage.
New Zealand Rugby has released the 2026 NPC schedule, marking 50 years of provincial rugby in New Zealand. Hot off the back of an action-packed Super Rugby season that is seeing some high quality footy and breakout performances, this milestone NPC season will honour past and present players, celebrate longstanding rivalries, showcase interprovincial trophies, and highlight the rich history that has shaped the competition over half a century.
Interim General Manager Community Rugby, Carl Moon, says the NPC is the backbone of rugby across the country and this season’s draw is the culmination of the competition’s history to date.
“For many New Zealanders, the NPC is where their love of rugby began. Generations grew up watching their provincial teams and forging early memories through the rivalries that define the competition. It celebrates who we are and where we are from as Kiwi’s. It’s also where countless iconic players first burst onto the scene, creating moments fans still talk about today.”
This season will be stacked with unmissable moments. Provincial Unions will celebrate their communities in unique ways as part of the 50-year milestone, while some of the game’s fiercest rivalries will be reignited. Stag Day returns, last year’s finalists meet early, and the Battle of the Bays and Battle of the Bridge are back to fuel provincial pride. Neighbourhood clashes will deliver plenty of bragging rights, and all eyes will be on Northland as anticipation builds around where they plant their flag next.
In a major moment for the game, the NPC returns to free-to-air television for the first time in nearly 30 years. In addition to the live and uninterrupted coverage on Sky Sport, every match will stream free on TVNZ+, with select games broadcast in appointment viewing slots on TVNZ 1 (live to delayed), bringing provincial rugby back into living rooms across the country.
Moon says that with fixtures spread across family friendly and primetime windows, it’s now easier than ever for fans to follow their teams and for new supporters to fall in love with the competition.
The regular season kicks off on Thursday 31 July and will run through to Sunday 4 October before quarterfinals kick off. The grand final will be held on the weekend 24/25 October.
With family-friendly kick-off times, some epic clashes, and free-to-air television for provincial rugby, NPC50 is set to be one of the most memorable seasons yet.
Check out the full match schedule below or on the Provincial Rugby page: National Provincial Championship » Provincial Rugby
And keep an eye out for the release of the Farah Palmer Cup and Heartland Championship schedules in coming weeks.
