Fri 31 Jul
00:00 GMT+12
FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Sky Sport 1pay-tvSky Sport 1
TVNZ 1free-to-airTVNZ 1
TVNZ carries 93 NPC matches free on TVNZ+ plus three games per week on TVNZ 1. Specific TVNZ 1 selections per round not announced fixture-by-fixture; the 50th-anniversary opener is a likely TVNZ 1 pick but treat as highly probable rather than confirmed.
sky nz 51
rugby
About the match
The Bunnings Warehouse NPC's 50th-anniversary year opens with a deliberate nod to history: Bay of Plenty, the original 1976 NPC winners, travel to Hamilton to face Waikato. The competition format trims to a 14-side single-table this season, with each union playing 10 round-robin matches before an eight-team play-off. NZR's free-to-air partnership with TVNZ — covering 93 of the 95 NPC matches across the season — comes into effect from this kickoff. Waikato have home advantage at FMG Stadium and a settled forward pack; Bay of Plenty arrive rebuilding under a new coaching ticket but with the marquee occasion at their backs.
Bunnings Warehouse NPC 50th-anniversary opener — original 1976 NPC winner Bay of Plenty visit Waikato in Hamilton. Kickoff time not announced in coverage reviewed; date confirmed via NZR/NPC release of 25-26 March 2026.