Baltimore to host ‘Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry’ in tour’s first US series
Updated: 12:58 PM EST Jan 22, 2026
Baltimore will play host to what’s known as “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry,” marking the first time the series will be played in the United States.The touring series between the South Africa national rugby union team, the Springboks, and New Zealand national rugby union team, the All Blacks, is held every four years. This year, the tour’s coming to Baltimore.”There are few bigger rivalries than New Zealand vs. South Africa, and to be able to showcase the best of our sport in Baltimore — one of 27 super engaged cities and regions in the Rugby World Cup hosting process — is an exciting prospect, inspiring more sports fans in the U.S. to fall in love with rugby,” World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin said in a statement.M&T Bank Stadium, the 71,000-capacity home of the Baltimore Ravens, will host the two teams on Sept. 12. Pre-sale tickets will be available starting on Jan. 29 and general sale starts on Feb. 2, according to a statement on the Ravens’ website.| TICKETS: Register for pre-sale ticket access here”The All Blacks-Springboks rivalry is one of the most iconic matchups in international rugby, and we’re thrilled to host these legendary teams at M&T Bank Stadium,” Ravens President Sashi Brown said in a statement. “Our incredible partnership with the state of Maryland, including its support for our ongoing stadium renovations, has helped position M&T Bank Stadium as a world-class venue. As one of a handful of premier global sporting events, this rugby match underscores our shared commitment to bringing world-class experiences to Baltimore.”SA Rugby, New Zealand Rugby and World Rugby seek to grow the game in the U.S.The Springboks and the All Blacks previously played in the U.S. as South Africa faced the U.S. in Houston in 2001 and visited Washington, D.C., in 2018 to face Wales. New Zealand recently played numerous games in Chicago, taking on Ireland and U.S., as well as in San Diego (vs. Fiji) and Washington (vs. U.S.).”While the All Blacks have played in the USA often in the past, the Boks have only played there twice this millennium, and we’re very excited to take them to Baltimore and engage with a developing rugby ecosystem,” SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer said in a statement.”Having the opportunity to once again play in the U.S., less than a year after our last game, is exciting for the All Blacks and for New Zealand Rugby. The US is an important market for us and for rugby more broadly, as we look ahead to Rugby World Cup 2031. This will mark the fourth time the team has played in the U.S. in five years, so it’s great to be in another new city to show sports fans the spectacle and excitement of rugby,” New Zealand Rugby interim CEO Steve Lancaster said in a statement.Baltimore is an applicant city to host the Rugby World Cup 2031.”Taking the Springboks to new audiences and territories is a key objective for South African rugby and the opportunity to do so in a ground-breaking match against our fiercest rivals was a major determinant in where the fourth Test would be played,” Oberholzer said in a statement. “With fans getting the opportunity to see the Boks in action against the All Blacks in three home Tests, the chance to share the excitement in the U.S. is an exciting one, compounded by the fact that both men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup will be heading to the USA in a few years’ time.”This isn’t the first time for The Bank hosting big sports matches other than football. Announced in November, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami squad will play against D.C. United in March.In 2024, Christian Pulisic and AC Milan took on Robert Lewandowski and FC Barcelona in a friendly — another attempt to grow the sport in the U.S. More than 51,000 fans attended the match.
BALTIMORE —
Baltimore will play host to what’s known as “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry,” marking the first time the series will be played in the United States.
The touring series between the South Africa national rugby union team, the Springboks, and New Zealand national rugby union team, the All Blacks, is held every four years. This year, the tour’s coming to Baltimore.
“There are few bigger rivalries than New Zealand vs. South Africa, and to be able to showcase the best of our sport in Baltimore — one of 27 super engaged cities and regions in the Rugby World Cup hosting process — is an exciting prospect, inspiring more sports fans in the U.S. to fall in love with rugby,” World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin said in a statement.
M&T Bank Stadium, the 71,000-capacity home of the Baltimore Ravens, will host the two teams on Sept. 12. Pre-sale tickets will be available starting on Jan. 29 and general sale starts on Feb. 2, according to a statement on the Ravens’ website.
| TICKETS: Register for pre-sale ticket access here
“The All Blacks-Springboks rivalry is one of the most iconic matchups in international rugby, and we’re thrilled to host these legendary teams at M&T Bank Stadium,” Ravens President Sashi Brown said in a statement. “Our incredible partnership with the state of Maryland, including its support for our ongoing stadium renovations, has helped position M&T Bank Stadium as a world-class venue. As one of a handful of premier global sporting events, this rugby match underscores our shared commitment to bringing world-class experiences to Baltimore.”
SA Rugby, New Zealand Rugby and World Rugby seek to grow the game in the U.S.
The Springboks and the All Blacks previously played in the U.S. as South Africa faced the U.S. in Houston in 2001 and visited Washington, D.C., in 2018 to face Wales. New Zealand recently played numerous games in Chicago, taking on Ireland and U.S., as well as in San Diego (vs. Fiji) and Washington (vs. U.S.).
“While the All Blacks have played in the USA often in the past, the Boks have only played there twice this millennium, and we’re very excited to take them to Baltimore and engage with a developing rugby ecosystem,” SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer said in a statement.
“Having the opportunity to once again play in the U.S., less than a year after our last game, is exciting for the All Blacks and for New Zealand Rugby. The US is an important market for us and for rugby more broadly, as we look ahead to Rugby World Cup 2031. This will mark the fourth time the team has played in the U.S. in five years, so it’s great to be in another new city to show sports fans the spectacle and excitement of rugby,” New Zealand Rugby interim CEO Steve Lancaster said in a statement.
Baltimore is an applicant city to host the Rugby World Cup 2031.
“Taking the Springboks to new audiences and territories is a key objective for South African rugby and the opportunity to do so in a ground-breaking match against our fiercest rivals was a major determinant in where the fourth Test would be played,” Oberholzer said in a statement. “With fans getting the opportunity to see the Boks in action against the All Blacks in three home Tests, the chance to share the excitement in the U.S. is an exciting one, compounded by the fact that both men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup will be heading to the USA in a few years’ time.”
This isn’t the first time for The Bank hosting big sports matches other than football. Announced in November, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami squad will play against D.C. United in March.
In 2024, Christian Pulisic and AC Milan took on Robert Lewandowski and FC Barcelona in a friendly — another attempt to grow the sport in the U.S. More than 51,000 fans attended the match.