April 2026 – International Football Festival New Zealand has been confirmed, with Tottenham Hotspur set to play Auckland FC at Eden Park on Sunday 26 July 2026 as part of a major sporting event backed by the Government’s wider tourism and major events package. The event is being supported through the Government’s wider $70 million Major Events and Tourism Package , with Tourism and Hospitality Hon Minister Louise Upston describing the announcement as a major opportunity for both fans and the visitor economy.
The Eden Park fixture is expected to carry added significance, marking the first time an English top-flight men’s club has played in New Zealand since 2014. The match also brings one of England’s most recognized football clubs to local shores, giving New Zealand supporters the rare chance to watch a globally followed side in action at home.
For Auckland FC, the occasion also represents an important moment in the club’s growth. As a newer professional side building its profile, a home clash against an internationally recognized English club gives the match added value for both the team and its supporters.
According to the Government, the fixture will help build momentum around football in New Zealand, where it remains the country’s most popular team participation sport.
Beyond the main match, the International Football Festival New Zealand is expected to feature a full week of football experiences. These include a confirmed Spurs Open Training session, along with additional events aimed at bringing the global game closer to local supporters and creating a broader festival atmosphere around the headline clash.
The Government also expects the event to deliver benefits beyond the stadium. International visitors travelling for football are expected to support hospitality and tourism businesses while also exploring more of New Zealand. Ministers say major events like this can help create jobs, strengthen economic activity, and give the country wider international exposure.
The global appeal of Premier League football is also expected to place New Zealand in front of a worldwide audience, with international broadcast coverage set to showcase the country as a destination for sport, culture, and entertainment.
The Events Attraction Package forms part of the broader $70 million Major Events and Tourism package announced in September 2025. While individual funding amounts for each event will remain undisclosed for commercial reasons, the total funding for all supported events will be released after all events have been announced.
Tickets for the Tottenham Hotspur – Auckland FC match will start at $19 for children and $39 for adults, with sales opening from 7 April.
Further details from Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur said the Auckland fixture will form part of the club’s 2026 pre-season tour. The club also said the visit will be its second trip to New Zealand and its first in 50 years, following an earlier visit in 1976.
According to the club, the Auckland stop follows its previously announced Sydney leg of the pre-season tour, which includes matches against Sydney FC and Chelsea.
Tottenham Hotspur has also confirmed an open training session for fans at Eden Park on Saturday 25 July 2026, along with football clinics for young people and additional fan engagement activity during the club’s time in Auckland.
The club said supporters’ club members will receive priority access through a pre-sale, while general public ticket sales are scheduled to open at 12 pm on 7 April through Ticketek.
Official club update: [Tottenham Hotspur to visit Auckland as part of 2026 pre-season tour]
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