Super Rugby final sells out in 15 minutes
Hurricanes’ Jordie Barrett during the Chiefs vs Hurricanes, Super Rugby Pacific match at FMG Stadium, Hamilton, New Zealand on Saturday 18 April 2026. Photo: DJ Mills / Photosport
Photo: DJ Mills
Wellington’s Hnry Stadium is in talks to boost the number of seats for the Super Rugby Pacific grand final.
It comes after Saturday’s final between the Hurricanes and Chiefs sold out with tickets snapped up within 15 minutes of going on sale.
People have since flocked to social media in search of tickets as the teams do battle in a Super Rugby final for the first time.
Stadium chief executive Warrick Dent said the 34,000 seat capacity had been reached, but discussions were underway with the host team about increasing the Cake Tin’s capacity.
“It’s just a matter of whether we can get that done in time. There is a lot of interest.
“The response from the community and across the region’s been really, really strong.
“So, they’ll [tickets] will be in hot demand and I’m sure there’ll be people looking for tickets every avenue they can.”
Dent said the ticket-holders could expect all the bells and whistles that attend a grand final – fireworks, lightshows and half-time entertainment.
The two teams qualified first and second for the playoffs and both sides boast a large number of All Blacks.
Super Rugby Pacific chief executive, Jack Mesley, said it was nice to see such strong interest in the match.
“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.”
Crowd numbers for Hurricanes games in Wellington were disappointing during the regular season, averaging around 14,000 and the team’s chief executive, Tony Philp, is happy there’ll be close to 35,000 fans at the final.
Chiefs’ Xavier Roe attacks during their Super Rugby Pacific match against the Hurricanes at FMG Stadium, Hamilton, 18 April 2026.
Photo: Photosport
“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,” he said.
“This is exactly what the club hopes for at the start of the season – the chance play in front of a packed stadium with a championship on the line.”
New Zealand musician Stan Walker, who last performed at the 2013 final where the Chiefs beat the ACT Brumbies, will provide the off field entertainment for Saturday’s title decider in the capital.
The Chiefs beat the defending champion Crusaders in Hamilton to advance to the final, while the Hurricanes beat the Blues in Wellington.
No matter who wins, Wellington wins – business boss
Wellington business bosses say a sold-out Super Rugby final is great for the city, regardless of the result.
Wellington Chamber of Commerce chief executive Hayley Horan said there’s a bigger focus than just getting money into the region. Horan said it was a good opportunity to show what Wellington had to offer.
“It’s all about us getting our confidence back, our sentiment back.
“What I’ve heard from all my friends who are Chiefs fans is that they are coming to town, they love coming to Wellington for our events, you cannot beat our hospitality.
“Right now, we are arms wide open to everyone that is going to come and join us – we are expecting a full house.”
She said they should have figures on the economic boost to the city early next week.
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