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FIFA World Cup 2026 poster'Demonstrating the power of the sport': Warriors' Eden Park return a step towards more NRL events?
Alex Chapman •  May 25th, 2026 2:45 pm
Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
NZ Warriors CEO Cameron George hopes the return to Eden Park could pave the way for more rugby league games at the ground - and perhaps even larger scale NRL festivities.Â
The Mount Smart club will head across town on ANZAC Day for 2027, ending a 13-year drought at the country’s national stadium.Â
“It'll be huge for the local economy,” George told Sport Nation.Â
“It’s not just bringing a game here, it's bringing an event here and Anzac Day to me fits perfect for that opportunity and it will allow so many people to come to what is a very special day on the calendar, let alone a sporting calendar.Â
“But I think the Warriors playing here will make it extremely special for so many to come and enjoy it.”Â
Who the Warriors will face during the long weekend though will be determined by the NRL schedule.Â
And while George will have the opportunity to push his case, regardless of who makes the trip, he’s confident they can sell out Eden Park.
Warriors' Eden Park return a trial run for Magic Round in Auckland? | Sport Nation
Warriors' Eden Park return a trial run for Magic Round in Auckland? | Sport Nation
“There'll be clubs that'll reach out now this announcement's happened, and so they'd be keen to play us and be a part of it, which would be good, but at the end of the day, we'll work with the NRL and the clubs. “
The reality is whoever we play, we'll always have a travelling fan base, and a lot of people will see this as an opportunity to come to Auckland for a weekend, and a long weekend, and be part of a special day.”Â
That dipping of the toes into Eden Park hosting a Warriors game could be the stepping stone towards more matches being held at the stadium.Â
State of Origin is already scheduled to be held in New Zealand for the first time later next year, while last week NRL pundit and former player Matty Johns told SEN he’d like to see a second Magic Round each season held in Aotearoa.Â
“I'm always conscious (that), less is more, and we do one (already),” Johns said on SEN 1170 and SENQ's The Run Home.Â
“But, I honestly believe that we should have one on, this time of the year, maybe a couple of weeks earlier, and then put one on about Round 18 in Auckland.Â
“Because it's almost like a thank you to New Zealand, the Warriors fans. “
Like, the Warriors fans every year get the gold medal.”Â
Brisbane is guaranteed to host Magic Round through until 2032 after signing a five-year extension, while George has previously expressed interest in hosting an NRLW Magic Round.Â
“There's all those opportunities that I think, without a doubt, New Zealand deserve to explore,” George said.
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“I think we're demonstrating the power of the sport in New Zealand is very big, and we've seen so many times that rugby league is just growing here very fast.Â
“We're very passionate about it, and the NRL sees it as a very good market, so I'm sure when those chances come up, it's making sure we've got the right stadium, the right commercial opportunities for the NRL to explore because we are up against some very wealthy states, if you like, in Australia.
"But the reality is, if we can commercially stack up, we should be considered on a level playing field.” George sees the irony in the announcement of a rugby league game being held at a largely rugby union stadium, just two days after a football club won a title at his side’s usual home base.Â
“I’m really proud to work alongside Nick Becker and Karl Budge. They're very, very good operators and they're just innovators and I love that thinking.Â
“I love the fact that we talk with our boundaries in terms of our thinking, we're working together which I think has been rare in the history of sport here, but I really enjoy their company, I really enjoy their thinking and their vision. And we don't compete necessarily.
"If we can do this together, it's just for the greater good of generations to come and Auckland in itself, and we all win out of it.
