The Wellington Lions will be looking to break through for their first victory of the 2026 NPC season when they return home to face Northland on Saturday night.
The Lions host Northland at Hnry Stadium at 7.10pm on Saturday 19 September, in their eighth match of the season.
Wellington has endured a difficult start to the campaign, but Saturday provides another opportunity in front of a home crowd as the Lions head into the final weeks of the NPC round-robin.
The side has shown attacking promise at stages this season, including scoring 31 points against Auckland and 35 against Counties Manukau, but has yet to turn that into a victory.
Saturday will also be a major Wellington Rugby match day, with the Wellington Pride facing Northland at 4.35pm before the Lions take the field.
The double-header is being held as Wellington Rugby’s Emergency Services Round, recognising people working across Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Wellington Free Ambulance, New Zealand Police, Aviation Security and the New Zealand Defence Force.
Representatives from the emergency services will be at Hnry Stadium, with family activities planned around the ground.
The match also falls during Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, with the Hato Pāora Senior Kapa Haka Group set to perform at halftime of the Lions match.
Children under 16 can attend free, while the first 300 children arriving in rugby club gear will receive Wellington Lions trading cards.
The Northland match is Wellington’s fourth home game of the season and continues the Lions’ return to Hnry Stadium after their 2025 home fixtures were played at Porirua Park.
Kickoff is at 7.10pm, with gates opening at 4pm.
To book tickets, visit the Wellington Lions ticket page: https://wellingtonlions.flicket.co.nz/events/6bd266f9-c4ae-4344-8b83-3b03e810b874
