TVNZ is set to bring the football back to Aotearoa in 2030, announcing free-to-view and pay rights for Fifa World Cup 2030.
The Fifa World Cup 2026 was the biggest event in TVNZ+’s history, with over 20 million streams recorded across 104 matches. This was seen across TVNZ’s free and paid event pass offering.
New Zealanders flocked to the platform to see the All Whites step out onto the global stage for the third time in history. With the no Payne, no gain in full effect, TVNZ’s All Whites coverage reached over one million people on TVNZ 1 and over half a million on TVNZ+.
The final, which saw Spain and Argentina go head-to-head, reached a record 761, 000 people on TVNZ 1. It was the highest reaching match of the tournament across broadcast and on demand streaming.
The global conversation
Alongside these viewership records, delivering all 104 matches to audiences via an event pass was a milestone for TVNZ, says CEO Jodi O’Donnell.
“Fifa World Cup 2026 was a standout moment for football in Aotearoa and for TVNZ. We’ve loved bringing New Zealanders into the heart of the global conversation, while delivering coverage that felt distinctly local and made for our audiences. From the All Whites’ opening match to the final whistle, the tournament smashed streaming records on TVNZ+, proving once again the unbeatable power of live sport to bring our country together.”
Fifa World Cup 2030 will make history as the first tournament to be played across three continents, with Morocco, Portugal and Spain hosting.
South America will also take centre stage for the centenary celebrations through opening matches in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay – a nod to the very first Fifa World Cup hosted in Uruguay, 100 years on.
Building momentum
“With Fifa World Cup 2030 secured, we’re excited to keep building on our momentum,” says O’Donnell.
“There’s plenty of football for Aotearoa to get behind before the next Fifa World Cup, with Auckland FC Men’s and Women’s action in the New Zealand International Football Festival later this month, and the UEFA EUROs in 2028.”
TVNZ will confirm details around its coverage of Fifa World Cup 2030 closer to the event.
Source:
Nielsen TAM; Consolidated; FIFA Men’s World Cup NZL on TVNZ 1*; Cume Reach (000’s,%); Includes Replays
Nielsen TAM; Consolidated until 12/07; AP 5+; FIFA 2026 WC on TVNZ 1*; Average Daily Reach (000’s)
TVNZ+ Source: TVNZ Internal Data; 15/06/26 – 20/07/26; Reach & Streams; includes co-viewing
