Ōtautahi Christchurch is set to cap off a major month of major events this weekend, with the Super Rugby Pacific ‘super round’ set to officially open the long-awaited One NZ Stadium.
Super Round 2026 will see 10 teams in action across three days. The event is set to bring in fans from across New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, and the Pacific to enjoy world-class rugby in a world-class setting.
Kristy Phillips, Chief Executive of Hospitality New Zealand (Hospitality NZ) says hospitality and accommodation operators from across the region are looking forward to welcoming guests in what will be the first of many major events at One NZ Stadium.
“Major events are a huge boost for food and beverage and accommodation businesses. They bring people into a region, and they get locals out and about too.
“We’re hearing from our members that bookings are strong heading into the weekend. It’s meant that April, which is often a month where things quieten down after a busy summer, has continued to see good numbers of guests through.”
The Super Round and stadium opening follows last weekend’s sell-out Super Cars event, where more than 65,000 people descended on Ruapuna Raceway for three days of racing, including sell-outs for the Saturday and Sunday sessions.
Kristy Phillips continues: “It’s great to see Christchurch building some real momentum with its events calendar, and continue to prioritise a strong pipeline of events that will continue to support the hospitality sector over time.
With the Super Round also falling across the Anzac Weekend, recent changes to trading rules will allow hospitality businesses to make the most of the increased visitor numbers.
Hospitality NZ has long advocated to ease restrictions that previously required bars and restaurants to close on certain public holidays unless they met specific conditions.
The Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Sales on Anzac Day Morning, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Christmas Day) Amendment Bill, which clarified trading and service restrictions across the four restricted trading days in the calendar year, received Royal Assent on 2 April 2026.
Kristy Phillips says the law change removes confusion for operators and guests, offering the flexibility that hospitality businesses need to meet customer demand during major events and long weekends, including this weekend in Christchurch.