Football fans in New Zealand will be able to watch next year’s FIFA World Cup 2026 on TVNZ, with both free-to-air and paid options confirmed.
The tournament, which kicks off in June and will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will feature 48 teams playing 104 matches across 39 days. It will also mark the All Whites’ first appearance at a World Cup since 2010.
TVNZ 1 will screen all of New Zealand’s matches as well as a selection of other games free-to-air. The broadcaster has also secured the rights to a paid streaming service, offering fans the chance to purchase a one-off event pass on TVNZ+ for full coverage of every match, live and on demand, along with replays and highlights.
Chief Executive Jodi O’Donnell said: “It’s a huge moment for TVNZ securing comprehensive rights to such a massive sporting occasion. Football is one of the fastest growing sports in New Zealand. The UEFA EUROs and Wrexham FC matches saw big audiences for TVNZ. With the All Whites in the mix, we are so excited to bring the FIFA World Cup 26™ to Kiwis next year and give them more opportunity to get swept up in football fever.”
She added: “Today’s announcement of a new pay TV service, offering New Zealanders the opportunity to buy a one-off event pass to the FIFA World Cup 26™, is a gamechanger for TVNZ. Launching a pay product means TVNZ can competitively bid for and acquire more sports and serve it to audiences in the ways they want to watch it – whether it’s every moment live, or free-to-air on our channels.”
As well as World Cup coverage, TVNZ has also picked up broadcast rights to a range of upcoming FIFA tournaments, which will be shown free-to-view on TVNZ+ from late September. These include:
- FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025™
- FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2025™
- FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025™
- FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup 2025™
- FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026™
- FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026™
- FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026™
Further details of TVNZ’s paid and free-to-air coverage will be released closer to the tournament.
