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Featured Image: The Atmosphere at M&T Bank Stadium – Joseph Simpson
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A. Best known to the outside world for the 1988 and 2007 films of the same name ‘Hairspray,’ Edgar Allan Poe’s brief residence, and not a great deal else unless you are a fan of Major League Baseball (MLB) or the National Football League (NFL). The city flew under the radar during the FIFA World Cup earlier this year, despite the 71,000 capacity dwarfing several other stadiums used in the competition. Overall, Baltimore does not make global, or national headlines very often. On Saturday, international headlines were certainly made, as for the first time thirty years, a victor was declared in a All Blacks-Springbok tour.
The Greatest Rivalry tour had been a difficult watch for Kiwis around the world. The first five games opened with far from predictable results, but given the lynch mob that is the New Zealand public, and recently, the New Zealand Rugby executive, and the extended history of not losing (almost!) every game to non-test sides, anything other than a four-from-four sweep of the provincial sides would have likely led to Scott Robertson or Jamie Joseph getting on a flight to South Africa.
One of the main differences discussed in the media is the difference in depth between the two international sides, with the Springboks largely considered to have talent running much further deep than the All Blacks. This is not because of raw talent, as New Zealand has plenty of that, but how the caps have been shared amongst the Springboks differs greatly from the All Blacks. On-form players can be dropped and benched in Rassie Erasmus’ squad without complaint, compared to the All Blacks, whom under Rennie, Robertson, Foster, and beyond, aging players will be given the nod over younger talent almost every time since the game became professional back in 1996, when the All Blacks fatefully exacted their revenge on the Springboks for the 1995 World Cup defeat. It really makes you wonder, have we really learnt nothing from the ‘New Zealand Cavaliers’ and the ‘Baby Blacks’?
With this being said, with ten debutants only halfway through the test calendar, Rennie is certainly more comfortable with giving Black Jerseys to probables and possibles, even if it is to soak up the hurt from Western Province farm boys or Gqeberha (Formerly Port Elizabeth) battlers. Seeing the likes of Ruben Love and Cam Roigard hold onto the inside back jersey for most of the tour shows that the All Blacks are flirting with the idea of returning to a true meritocracy.
It’s a shame that these descisions possibly came too little too late for the men in black. Opening the tour in the fortress of Ellis Park, Johannesburg, the All Blacks took advantage of every loose ball opportunity, every penalty, every poorly formed ruck, to run circles around Pieter-Steph du Toit’s Springboks, winning a comfortable 33 to 16. Josh Moorby gave everyone glimpses of everyone’s favourite express, Paekākāriki’s Christian Cullen with his movement on attack. Fabian Holland might not have saved the scrum but certainly played out of his skin in the lineout and had a defensive workrate of Brodie Retallick, while Love and Roigard looked as composed as they did in their rampaging Super Rugby championship earlier in the year. It’s safe to say the All Blacks do in fact, have an admirable starting 23.
After Ellis Park, everything seemed to go wrong. There are the obvious we can talk about, injuries plagued the All Blacks, with several starters going in exchange for the loss of South Africa’s Cheslin Koble. The scrum was incredibly poor in the first test, slightly remedied by very vigilant officiating in the second test, but never fully recovered for the return to Johannesburg (If you aren’t cheating you aren’t trying – Al Davis). Coaching could be worth mentioning, but the attack and defence of both teams largely did not change from test to test. Kurt-Lee Arendse, who we will mention a lot more in this article, pulled off something that could not have been expected, like Caleb Clarke‘s debut in 2020, or Louis Bielle-Biarrey deciding to put France on his back any time they’re down a try. The Springboks loved their scrum and their maul, but were pretty useless outside of that. The All Blacks only succeded in grinding down the Springboks with extended phases once in all of four tests. The Stregnths and weaknesses of both sides were on full display.
Then comes Baltimore. The staging ground for All Black redemption, currently down two to one to their greatest rivals. While this is the first ever international rugby match held at M&T Bank Stadium, both sides have had disappointing experiences less than an hours drive away, in the national capital of Washington D.C. In Rassie Erasmus’ first-ever test, the Springboks fell short against Wales 22-20, a team that would then go on to have a 4-0 winning streak against the South Africa, broken only in their fateful 2019 Rugby World Cup Clash. The All Blacks visited D.C in 2021 to take on the U.S.A Eagles in a game that the Americans will remember for their first ever tries against the All Blacks, in exchange for a 104 point thumping, but for the All Blacks it was without competition and without a crowd, with well over a third of the stadium visibly empty for the clash. The biggest rugby brand in the world, in the capital of biggest market in the world, and everyone stayed home!
While D.C might already be written off for the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups, Baltimore clearly isn’t. The city, and both teams had a lot to prove. So it makes you wonder why Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Richie Mo’unga, and Patrick Tuipulotu got the nod over the All Blacks of tomorrow for this test? Perhaps it was verancy that Dave Rennie wanted, a change of pace in the game? Perhaps it was in response to the Springboks naming a veteran squad? Cynically, you could ask yourself whether the U.S. stakeholders demanded more recogniseable games for this game? That seems like an absurd theory, but the addition of these players felt like an NBA All Star game, and arguably, many of them played like it was one too.
After a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, which the ground announcer forgot was supposed to take place, the Springboks and All Blacks Arrived on the field to sing God Defend New Zealand followed by Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika. Captain Codie Taylor was joined by golfer and major championship winner Ryan Fox as the flag bearer, a slightly more recogniseable face for the American fans to legends Sean Fitzpatrick and Ruahei Demant. Followed by a return to Kapa o Pango led also by Taylor. Unlike in South Africa where Rassie was fighting a loosing battle to quiet the crowd. There was a surprising hush amongst the stands as the All Blacks perofrmed, especially considering out of the almost seventy thousand spectators present, at least fifty would have been wearing the green and gold.
It’s worth noting that the atmosphere in Baltimore before the game was the eeriest I’ve ever experienced for a rugby game, especially for a New Zealand – South Africa game. I was expecting rambunctious pubs, cheers and quips in the street, photos and jersey swaps. While there certainly was enough of green and gold, and black and white, to make the Baltimore waterfront look like Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter, you’d think you’d shown up to sip some bubbly at the ASB Classic! Perhaps several of the South Africans, who must go through a visa process, were intentionally on their best behaviour. Or for the rest of them, a large portion of New Zealand supporters, were Americans picking national sides to get behind like we do back home with our NBA teams. Does anyone else back the Oklahoma City Thunder solely because of Steven Adams’ drafting? Say what you will about the U.S.A, public drunkeness outside of a university is much harder to come by than it is in the southern hemisphere.
It certainly wasn’t going to be easy to get written off at the game with the average alcoholic beverage setting you back $20 USD after tax and tip (about 35 NZD, or 350 Rand for those at home.), nobody will be complaining about the prices at Eden or Ellis Park after this match. Even if you were thirsty, you’d spend most of your time in line as North American sports fans are not ones to wait till half time for their hotdog and Budweisers. Due to the significant stoppages in sport here, you better believe that the concession stands are always busy, and they’ll follow this even when the rest of the world is in town. Scrum? Bathroom break. Lineout? Popcorn. Conversion? Selfies in front of the Baltimore Ravens’ stadium installations.
Quiet atmospehre aside, the math must go on, and Richie Mo’unga, who hasn’t played a test since the 2023 World Cup Final, kicked off everything in Maryland. The Springboks took first blood with a penalty through the boot of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu which was quickly responded to by a break from Will Jordan and Damian McKenzie charging into the Boks twenty-two after after a few failed attempts to find space on the edges. Roigard picking the right man as skipper Codie Taylor crashed over the line about ten metres in from touch.
Springbok tries after this were frustrating predictable, and even worse, inevitable. It would seem that the All Blacks defence on the try line is not up the the physicality that the Springboks will put in, not just on individual touches and tackles, but every single ruck. When an All Black was taken to ground in Baltimore, the Springbok tackler would always roll and then jackal for the ball. Nearly every single time, forward, or back. If it’s contested? Let the All Blacks have it. The reason this worked is because there was no structure to the All Black attack, or perhaps the organised chaos of a knock on or loose ball was the structure. The problem with this is often outside backs found themselves in narrowing space without any support runners, forcing them to either make an ambitous pass or concede a penalty holding onto the ball after they get flattened by a cake-munching baby rhinoceros.
This is something we see consistently from All Black loose forwards but only occasionally will the likes of Cam Roigard or Will Jordan bother to attempt to turn over the ball in the ruck. But it’s also a lot harder to do because of how the Springboks attacked, their structure was very tight, there were guards at every rucks and only on a few occasions did the magic feet of Kurt-Lee Arendse turn tactics off and have a go himself, often supported by several midfielders or outside backs. Rassie simply had the All Black attack figured out, and knew they didn’t have the physicality to mount a solid defence.
Damian de Allende socred right under the noses Ethan de Groot and Anton Lienert-Brown, possibly because most of the forward pack were worried about Eben Etzebeth’s carry two phases before hand and hadn’t got to their feet, and eventual player of the match Morné van den Berg ‘broke’ Sam Darry’s ankles after another All Black overcommitment to the driving maul. But was it an overcommitment?
Its worth noting here that a continously exploited and criminally simple tactic from Rassie in earlier tests was simply to take the ball from edge to edge to put defensive weak points Leroy Carter and Damian McKenzie in the same channel. This was such a problem that Jesse Kriel, arguably one of the least powerful bodies in the Springbok arsenal, looked like 1995 Jonah Lomu on the wing smashing through defenders, when he wasn’t spilling the ball, that is. Come Baltimore, this was no longer a problem with Josh Moorby given the nod over Carter, but where Jessie Kriel might have had a slgihtly quieter game, accross the board the aging Springbok squad (the average age on the team was 31 for this test) were either too strong, or too fast, for the equally aging All Blacks.
Funnily enough, for all the attacking errors and inability to defend the All Blacks found themselves in, one of the best tries came right after this with a thirty-phase monster toward the end of the first half which some might argue was the All Blacks having nothing on for attack. I’d argue it’s the first and only time in eighty minutes we matched Springbok physicality. Naturally, after bunching in the defenders on the right-hand-side, a simple, but perfectly executed series of passes from New Zealand’s playmakers allowed for Will Jordan to find a gap and score under the posts, not without having to muscle through Damian de Allende to get there. So the All Blacks do have the pace and physicality to match the springboks, they are able to run a structured attack. It’s just a shame for the series it felt like they did that for 32 phases in Baltimore and one game in Johannesburg and nowhere else.
Half time: South Africa 17 – 14 New Zealand.
Malcolm Marx through the maul, Pieter-Steph du Toit muscling straight over the edge of a ruck with no guards, the first two score of the second half were the exact same as the first. Instead of veteran Anton Lienert-Brown been caught dozing, Reiko Ioane had a turn staring at both his midfielders in green joining the maul, guarding against a nine already covered by Cam Roigard. This said, two score down, the All Blacks are never out of a game.
Once again, the All Blacks continually run like a bat out of hell the moment the ball spills forward into their hands, and they continually concede a turnover for having no support runners. For most of the second half this was the reoccuring theme in the All Black attack. The moments where the All Blacks looked at their best was when the loose forwards would lead the charge. Perhaps with Ardie Savea out for the test, and the daunting task of matching the inspirational Siya Kolisi, or the physical Pieter-Steph, kept most of the loose forwards out of making big breaks. They spent most of the game sticking to the dog work in the breakdown to make up for the sluggish workrate of Sam Darry and Patrick Tuipulotu who on more than one occasion got blown over or penalised for poorly judged ruck entry. Wallace Sititi, Peter Lakai and Ethan Blackadder all contributed heavily to pinning excess Springbok forwards to provide Blackadder the opportunity to score, and it was one of the only moments we got to see them on the front foot for the whole game.
And then at the 70th minute, eight points down, Damien McKenzie is put into beautiful space thanks to Tupou Vaa’i, there is thirty metres of open space as the entire forward pack of both teams has crumpled together just past New Zealand’s 40 metre mark. Moorby runs in support on the DMac’s left, Jordan to the right. Manie Libbok closes the space in less than a second. Libbock puts his left shoulder into Damian but before he can Damian dummys to Moorby, is he going to pass it right to Will Jordan? Arendse has twisted his body away from Will Jordan, the fastest player on the field. He’s taken the bait of the dummy.
No, Damian still makes the pass, even after he must see Cameron Hanekom breaking Josh Moorby’s two metres of covid social distancing, the same Cameron Hanekom who up until this point had tackled two players off the ball this game so far and was clearly very comfortable going for it a third time. Hanekom’s arms are wrapped around Moorby before Moorby catches the ball, Will Jordan puts his arms up in total hysteria. The error Kurt-Lee Arendse made has now become an advantage, the ball spills straight into his hands and Moorby who is once again without a single support runner is powerless to do anything. Vaa’i doesnt even bother to shift his body weight in the way, whether that’s because of laziness, or the sheer feeling of defeat he must of been feeling, it didn’t change the fact that it left Arendse with 40 metres of space between him and the try line and the only people around to stop him were the exhausted Lakai and Blackadder. 71 minutes in the score sits 36-21 to the Springboks.
If Ardie was the rallying cry for the All Blacks in the first test, just like the French knights in the battle of Agincourt, Kurt-Lee Arendse was the English and Welsh longbowmen that snuffed it out like a flame. Cameron Hanekom was handed the easiest score in All Black Springbok history as the All Blacks decide defending rucks just aren’t worth their time. Shortly after, for the 2019 World Cup strategy’s sake, Richie Mo’unga slots a pass so the veteran Beauden Barret who puts on his afterburners to sneak a consolation prize under the posts.
Full time: South Africa 43 – 28 New Zealand.
The two giants of rugby joined together in prayer, before presenting the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry trophy to the deserving champions, South Africa.
Naturally, the questions that came in from journalists when Rassie and Siya arrived in the press conference were simple. In typical fashion of the South African media, much was to be said about the legacy of the Springboks. Can they comfortably call themselves better than the All Blacks? Is this the greatest team of all time? Would the 2019-2026 Springboks beat the 2011-2015 All Blacks? In truth, there’s a real argument for all of these quite silly questions. Sure, every game hung in the balance, sure, the Springboks played a hard to beat, but still very beatable, brand of rugby, sure, they lost the first test at their home fortress, but seated underneath the Baltimore Ravens’ stadium, the All Blacks had lost thress games in a row to them.
This is where the humility of Rassie and Siya shone. Rassie Erasmus humbly described the margin between South Africa and New Zealand by holding his fingers up to journalists about one centimetre apart.
“At minute sixty I still thought it was in the balance” Rassie said, later acknowleded Kurt-Lee Arendse‘s opportune thinking and score was the main moment that tipped the scales out of New Zealand’s reach.
Out of the record crowd, which stood at 68,173, the largest ever in the U.S.A, you would have called it a South Africa home game.
“It’s awesome to go all over the world, we have a massive country, a whole lot of people, and some people (supporting) from other countries.” Rassie said.
In his first test as head coach, the aforementinoed loss to Wales in Washington D.C, he didn’t get a great opportunity to see the country. He and the coaching staff took some time to visit the surrounding areas, including New York City.
“I like the country, I didn’t know there was so many South Africans (here)!.
Commenting on the redemption for the bitter loss in his first game, he continued, “Obviously that first time (versus Wales) was awful, – a couple of years later, we win against a great team here like New Zealand, it makes up in a big way for that start I had!”
Both dedicated the victory to the fans and country of South Africa, those abroad and back home, and those who could afford to come and those who couldn’t. The ticket pricing of the tour, both in Baltimore but also in South Africa, especially for the tests against the United Rugby Championship Sides, has been a particularly sour note in South African media, it will be interesting to see what pricing will look like when they come to New Zealand in 2030.
Upon the arrival of Dave Rennie and the battered and bruised Codie Taylor, the New Zealand journalists droned on in their typical fashion, with the most insightful questions typically revolving around officiating, injuries, penalties, and what can be done differently.
One of the few moments of relief from the slog was surprising the American media, who asked particularly good questions about the games impact on the U.S market, the attendance record, how both teams were enjoying North America, and naturally hinting at the possibility that several of the players and coaches could be meeting again in the 2031 world cup in America. Having this third party of no-fuss professionals was excactly what the games needed to avoid the repeating the exact same questions that took place in the tests in South Africa.
On the topic of playing in the United States, Codie said, “It’s been amazing to come to come over here and soak up what America has to offer – they obviosly love their sports and have got right behind rugby.”
Rassie Erasmus wasn’t the only person susprised by the large presence of South Africans in the country. Codie continued, “I would have liked to see more black jersey’s but obviously there’s more South African’s over here which I wasn’t aware of until I saw them in the hotel elevator!”
Not only did Codie Taylor acknowledge the great experience they had in the United States, but also the hope that they will capitalise on the interest in the sport.
“(We hope American’s see) how exciting rugby can be, America’s got some great sports over here and they’re fanatical about everything they’re involved in. It would be great to see U.S.A Rugby keep building, – Leading into 2031, it’s in a great place to build a foundation on what will be an awesome world cup”
Speaking of the World Cup, if Baltimore were hoping to build a case to host, M&T Stadium and the events building up to this game have made an incredibly strong argument. Despite Egar Allan Poe and Hairspray being the city’s international reputation, there’s so much more to this great place. It certainly does not have Chicago or New York’s infrastrucutre, but it brought the fans and the atmosphere. There will probably have to be significant investment from World Rugby or U.S.A Rugby to make it happen, but it’s better than a half-filled stadium in Washington D.C. We will have a dedicated article on the Six60 pre party and after party out soon.
Lastly, a Canadian perspective on the game. Canada’s mens rugby team have been a tough watch for over a decade now, with the one fixture they seem to be able to consistently triumph in being against their adversaries south of the border. While the maple leaf might achieve victory over the eagle presently. Codie’s words are right, there will be pressure for the USA to perform next World Cup, and as automatic entrants Canada will have to put the work in during qualification to even make it to that World Cup. Kenya, Namibia and Zimbabwe are steadily building, and South American rugby is growing faster than Ox Nché after his parents introduced him to cake. Less than 4,000 spectators in Edmonton will not grow the game in Canada, and not set them up for success against their continental adversaries. With most club mens teams made up of foreign expats, perhaps it’s not even worth it?
Canada’s women’s team are inches away from World Cup glory, and have three tests against the rampaging Red Roses this year, with two at home. If the leaf can tango just as well as the rose, perhaps Canada should put all their chips into achieving glory in their women’s game? I know several ticket holders in Baltimore that will be visiting Toronto and Ottawa for the girls. I don’t know a single one that watched the boys in Edmonton or Winnipeg.
Or perhaps they can ask the French mens team really nicely if they want to have a test in Québec!
South Africa vs New Zealand
M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
43 – 28
| South Africa | New Zealand |
| Coach – Rassie Erasmus | Coach – Dave Rennie |
| 1. Ox Nché | 1. Ethan de Groot |
| 2. Malcolm Marx (Try 48′) | 2. Codie Taylor (C) (Try 7′) |
| 3. Wilco Louw | 3. Fletcher Newell |
| 4. Eben Etzebeth | 4. Patrick Tuipulotu |
| 5. Ruan Nortjé | 5. Sam Darry |
| 6. Siya Kolisi (C) | 6. Tupou Vaa’i |
| 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit | 7. Ethan Blackadder (Try 62′) |
| 8. Jasper Wiese | 8. Peter Lakai |
| 9. Morné van den Berg (Try 21′) (Con 52′) | 9. Cam Roigard |
| 10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Con 15′, 22′) (Pen 3′) | 10. Richie Mo’unga |
| 11. Ethan Hooker | 11. Josh Moorby |
| 12. Damian de Allende (Try 14′) | 12. Jordie Barrett |
| 13. Jesse Kriel | 13. Anton Lienert-Brown |
| 14. Kurt-Lee Arendse (Try 71′) | 14. Will Jordan (Try 36′) |
| 15. Damian Willemse | 15. Damian McKenize (Con 8′, 37′, 63′, 79′) |
| 16. Deon Fourie | 16. Asafo Aumua |
| 17. Gerhard Steenekamp | 17. Xavier Numia |
| 18. Thomas du Toit | 18. Tyrel Lomax |
| 19. Lood de Jager | 19. Josh Lord |
| 20. André Esterhuizen | 20. Wallace Sititi |
| 21. Cameron Hanekom (Try 75′) | 21. Kyle Preston |
| 22. Cobus Reinach | 22. Rieko Ioane |
| 23. Manie Libbok (Con 72′ , 76′) | 23. Beauden Barrett (Try 79′) |
7th August, 2026
DHL Stormers vs All Blacks
Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
21 – 38
11th August, 2026
Hollywoodbets Sharks vs All Blacks
Kings Park Stadium, Durban
0 – 54
15th August, 2026
Vodacom Bulls vs All Blacks
Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria
19 – 50
22nd August, 2026
Springboks vs All Blacks (Test #1)
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
16 – 33
25th August, 2026
10bet Lions vs All Blacks
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
35 – 41
29th August, 2026
Springboks vs All Blacks (Test #2)
Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
33 – 26
5th September, 2026
Springboks vs All Blacks (Test #3)
FNB Stadium, Johannesburg (Soccer City)
29 – 24
12th September, 2026
Springboks vs All Blacks (Test #4)
M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
43 – 28
Article by Joseph Simpson, 15th September 2026
Want to know more? Reach out to Joseph via our Facebook and Instagram channels.
From Britney Spears, to Coldplay, to Johnny Cash, to Tom Jones – and now Six60.
Pier Six Pavilion in Baltimore has welcomed some of the biggest names in music over the years, and on Saturday night it was the turn of New Zealand’s Six60 to take centre stage, providing the perfect soundtrack for Kiwi rugby fans following the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour clash between the All Blacks and Springboks at M&T Bank Stadium.
While the result on the field wasn’t exactly what the Kiwi crowd had hoped for, Six60 made sure the result was quickly forgotten.
After a long tour through South Africa and the USA, this was a chance for Kiwis to let their hair down, celebrate their culture and, most importantly, have a good time together.
“The Champ is Here!”
The party atmosphere was building well before Six60 even took the stage.
Kiwi classics were being belted out across the venue, with the crowd singing along as they waited for New Zealand’s biggest band to arrive.
Then came one of the loudest moments of the night.
“The Champ is Here! The Champ is Here!”
Rang around Pier Six Pavilion as New Zealand UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Carlos Ulberg made his way onto the stage to get the crowd going.
Ulberg was just one of a long list of Kiwi sporting icons who had made their way to Baltimore.
Houston Rockets NBA star Steven Adams was impossible to miss – standing at 6’11”, his presence certainly gave away his location. Adams got right amongst the crowd, chatting with fellow Kiwis and happily posing for photos as fans tried to play it cool despite being clearly star-struck.
British Open champion Ryan Fox was also in attendance, alongside two genuine legends of New Zealand rugby, Rugby World Cup winners Dan Carter and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe.
And then, much to the delight of everyone inside, the full All Blacks squad and coaching staff arrived.
Despite the disappointment of the result, it was clear the team were ready to switch off and enjoy themselves after a long few weeks on the road.
Credit to the players and coaching staff for getting amongst the crowd, taking selfies and stopping for photos with fans throughout the night. It was a level of access that even caught some of the South African supporters by surprise – with a few unable to believe how close they were able to get to the All Blacks.
But that’s what made the night special.
There were no barriers between the players and the fans. Everyone was there for the same reason: to celebrate Kiwi culture.
A Kiwi Party in Baltimore
If there was one thing that stood out throughout the night, it was the sense of community.
Thousands of kilometres from home, Kiwis had found themselves together in Baltimore, singing the songs they grew up with, supporting their sporting heroes and watching one of New Zealand’s best bands do what they do best.
And the chants weren’t limited to rugby union.
“Up the Wahs!” was arguably the most common chant heard throughout the night – another result we won’t talk about.
Six60 fed off the energy of the crowd, playing for over an hour and delivering a set that had the entire venue singing and dancing.
It felt less like a standard concert and more like one giant Kiwi gathering.
Exactly what was needed after the day’s rugby.
Pier Six Pavilion – A Baltimore Gem
The venue itself also deserves plenty of credit.
Sitting on the magnificent Baltimore Harbour, Pier Six Pavilion first opened in 1981 and certainly took a few of the Kiwi visitors by surprise.
It’s a fantastic live music venue with a layout that gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy the show their own way.
There’s a grass bank for those wanting to sit back and take in the atmosphere, plenty of traditional seating and, of course, plenty of room down the front for those wanting to get amongst the mosh pit.
And then there are a few hidden surprises.
Tucked away in the back corner overlooking the harbour is a cigar lounge – the perfect spot for anyone wanting to take a breather while still enjoying the waterfront setting.
The staff were also incredibly friendly and more than happy to help, answer questions and make sure everyone was having a good night.
With the harbour as the backdrop and Six60 providing the soundtrack, it was difficult to imagine a better setting for the final night of the tour
Six60 Are Coming to Canada
For Six60, Baltimore was also a fantastic way to kick off their North American Tour.
The band now heads back to New Zealand and Australia before returning to North America in October and November – and Canadian fans are going to want to pay attention.
The Vancouver show on October 30 is already SOLD OUT, while the Toronto show on November 6 has limited tickets remaining. Montreal on November 7 is also looking likely to sell out.
After seeing the energy they created in Baltimore, it’s clear the Canadian shows are going to be something special.
For Kiwi fans across Canada, it is another great opportunity to come together, celebrate our culture, sing along to the songs we all know and love, and show Six60 just how strong the Kiwi community is on this side of the world.
So, if you’ve been thinking about seeing Six60 live, don’t wait.
Tickets can be purchased here.
What a Way to Finish
From the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour match at M&T Bank Stadium to a Six60 party on the Baltimore waterfront, the night was a fitting way to bring the entire tour to an end.
Kiwis came together, the All Blacks got amongst the crowd, sporting legends rubbed shoulders with fans, Carlos Ulberg got the party started, Six60 delivered the soundtrack and Pier Six Pavilion provided the perfect backdrop.
Everyone was there to do what Kiwis do best – celebrate our culture together.
And if you’re ever in Baltimore, make sure Pier Six Pavilion is on your list.You won’t regret it.
Featured Image: Niagara Falls – Joseph Simpson
Niagara Falls, the honeymoon capital of the world! For those who have been before, you might be very surprised to hear that this is the nickname these gargantuine Bunnings water features have managed to hold. In fairness, many people do still go on their honeymoon here, particularly amongst the many both in Canada and south of the border that are not passport holders.
But go somewhere else for your honeymoon, don’t do it here. There are far more romantic places to enjoy in Ontario and New York than Niagara Falls, let alone the rest of their respective countries. But perhaps it once was the spot to celebrate getting hitched? Napoleon Bonaparte’s brother took his wife here after tying the not, and Aaron Burr’s daughter took her husband here too.
This was back in the 1800s, nowadays this beacon of North American tourism (and capitalism), is more of a bucket list place to visit, somewhere to take the kids, or the family. And there is so much more than just the falls to visit! With over two hundred years of tourism in the region, a few more attractions and shops have cropped up, would you believe it?
Read on to find out more about one of Canada and the United States’ biggest attractions, how to get there, do’s and don’ts, and extra gems of information that might help make that trip to the self-avowed honeymoon capital of the world even better.
Niagara Falls is located on the border between Canada’s Ontario and the USA’s New York. Nestled along the corridor that separates both Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, we will share how to get there from both sides. It’s worth noting that while most of Niagara Falls sits georgraphically within the United States, the best views of the falls are from the Canadian side.
Reaching Niagara Falls is very simple if you live in Toronto, or are within the Golden Horseshoe region and have access to the GO Trains.
Make your way from wherever in the Greater Toronto Area you reside, to Union Station, or your nearest Lakeshore West line stop, and jump on the Lakeshore West GO Train stopping in Niagara Falls. Make sure that the train does stop at Niagara Falls, as only three trains per day go the full legnth of the line each way. Several Lakeshore West trains terminate in Aldershot, Hamilton, and Oakville. The train takes around 2.5 hours to arrive at the falls and has bathrooms on-board but you’ll need to bring your own snacks or drinks for the ride.
While the train is a bit on the more expensive side, it’s still one of the best ways to reach the falls without a car. If you have time to plan your trip ahead, the best way to see the falls is the GO Weekend Pass which has unlimited travel on any GO busses and trains for the day for only $10.00! The GO Weekend Pass also works for Canadian and Ontario Public Holidays too, bonus!
| Go Transit Fees (1x Return Trip) | |
| Adult (Eticket or Credit/Debit Card) | $42.30 |
| Adult (PRESTO) | $36.18 |
| Student (PRESTO) | $21.78 |
| Senior (Eticket or Credit/Debit Card) | $21.20 |
| Senior (PRESTO) | $19.26 |
| GO Weekend Pass (BEST VALUE) | $10.00 |
After arriving at the Niagara Falls GO station, keep in mind that the falls themselves are not next to the station. You can either pay in cash to take the Niagara Transit busses ($3.50 each way), which will get you to the falls in five-to-ten minutes, taking the 603 or 204 bus and getting off at Victoria Ave, or walking to the falls which takes about 30 minutes. Keep in mind that in addition to this, the walkway to the falls themselves is about fifteen to twenty minutes walk each way, depending on your fitness, and the density of the crowd.
Should you be driving to the falls, the usual soutbound route from Toronto is to take the 403/QEW. Without traffic this usually takes about an hour, to an hour and a half depending on where you are in the GTA. Upon arrival in Niagara Falls, parking is usually paid, and the typical rule-of-thumb is that it’s more expensive the closer to the falls you get, with far away parking lots charging $5 for the day, and closer ones charging between up to $25. Keep in mind these prices fluxuate and may be more expensive on event days.
But I’ve got a secret for you! Some local Ontario knowledge passed onto me is if you don’t mind a ten minute walk, you can get free parking by parking next to the cereal factory, Post Foods Canada. There is several free parking spaces along Lorne Street and Centre Street that mean you’ll only be ten minutes from the action, and you’ll walk right through Clifton Hill (More on Clifton Hill Later)! Should these parking spaces be taken, some of the other residential streets north or westbound often have free parking as well.
Should you be flying in to view the falls, the best international airports to access the falls from (and can still connect with GO Transit) is Hamilton’s John C. Munro (YHM), or Toronto’s Billy Bishop (YTZ), or Pearson (YYZ)
Prices marked in USD for this section
While most Kiwis reading this will be residing in Canada, some of you may be trying to access the falls from the American side. I strongly reccomment you bring your passport (and your Canadian work permit, if applicable!) to view the falls from the Canadian side. The border crossing is very quick off-peak and is one of the few crossings that is relatively easy to walk accross!
The nearest major U.S city is Buffalo, so we’ll use that as a starting point for this guide. The nearest international airports are in Cleveland and of course, New York City. Both cities mentioned connect with Buffalo via Greyhound, and New Yorkers can go straight to the falls via Flixbus.
Accessing the falls can be done via Buffalo’s public transport network, but it takes two hours, and two busses, to cover a very short distance, and runs infrequently. Still, those interested can purchase bus tickets using cash ($8 return, $2 per bus), or their MetGo smart card/app, which caps at $5 per day.
For a faster ride, albiet sometimes a bit more expensive, travellers can take the Flixbus from Buffalo to Niagara Falls which takes about 30 minutes, or the Empire Amtrak service which takes about 45 minutes.
Driving to Niagara Falls from Buffalo takes roughly 25 to 35 minutes depending on traffic.
The Niagara Falls are one of the most impressive sights in Canada. While the commercialization of the location has hampered the natural beauty of the region, seeing the falls with your own eyes is now just only one part of the whole experience.
Before diving in, did you know that New Zealand has its own Niagara Falls? Yes, with the same name too (Mānga Piri)! Ironically, these falls, located in the small locality of Niagara to the west of Catlins Forest Park, are possibly the smallest in the region, if not the nation. Visit at your own risk of disappointment!
Viewing the Niagara Falls is best done from the Canadian side, as mentioned, and can be done via walking the Fallsview trail. Starting at Clifton Hill and making your way down to the water’s edge, each way takes about ten minutes, but factoring in stops and lots of other tourists present, it will take you slightly longer. Along the walk there are several small parks that are great spots for a picnic, a stroll, or a rest. Niagara Parks are constantly running free programming in these little areas too! I had the pleasure of watching Canada versus Qatar in this year’s FIFA World Cup from the falls this year. There are also plenty of spots to grab a drink or a bite both toward the middle and end of the trail. While I was surprised to see these weren’t total daylight robbery, expect to pay a bit more than you are used to.
On your walk is also the access to several Niagara Falls activities. The two best known ones would be the Voyage to the falls boat tour (not to be confused with Maid of the Mist, which is the tour operator on the U.S side), and the Zipline to the falls. Both of these bucket-list activities are worth a visit, but keep in mind that they both get very busy, so plan ahead and aim to get there early! Also check their operating times as they vary from season to season.
There are several other brilliant activities that can be done in and around the falls and the best way to experience them is the Niagara Falls Pass. This pass, as with others mentioned in this article, bundle activities together for 22% – 52% in savings. The passes feature either all of, or select attractions of, this list:
Other activities that are close to the falls are almost all provided by Niagara Parks. They are the main tourism and conservation authority in the area and for those who are looking for more green spaces, this is the place to look. One of my favourite places you can enjoy is the Niagara Glen, which takes you along a more isolated part of the river (although keep an eye out for the occasional jet boat), and gives spectacular views of the water and the escarpment. They also run several conservation events, from cleanups to tree planting, which is worth a little look into if that’s more your speed!
Niagara Glen & Tree Planting with Niagara Parks – Joseph Simpson
Upon arrival at Niagara Falls, particularly if you take the bus in, or opt for free parking, there’s a high chance you will walk down Centre Street onto Clifton Hill, and your jaw will drop.
While I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the falls, I believe the reputation of them softened the blow they had on my feeble New Zealand worldview. I knew it was the biggest waterfall in the world (in terms of volume of water falling, at about 2.8 million litres every second!) and when I saw them, it blew me away, but nothing prepared me for Clifton Hill.
Clifton Hill – Joseph Simpson
If you’ve ever been to Canada’s Wonderland, or the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), picture one of these places, only it’s a street, a permanent street within a few minutes walk of the falls view trail. Clifton Hill is what late-stage capitalism dreams of. I felt like a kid straight out of a movie. The mix of vibrant and saturated colours, combined with a backdrop of North American brutalist architecture, makes for a spectacle that certainly won’t be replicated anywhere else in the world, or at least not outside of the continent.
Clifton hill is an entertainment district that features several different wortwhile things to see. From great places to eat, including both local diners and chain restaurants, to awesome attractions and shopping opportunities. Highlights for me are the Hershey’s Chocolate World, Hard Rock Cafe, and Coca Cola store, all located on Falls Ave. On Clifton Hill itself are several great souvineir stores, Rainforest Cafe, the Fudge Factory, and several brilliant souvineir stores.
In terms of the attractions, there are so many fun things to do along Clifton hill, from wax museums to mini golf. The prices of these attractions however is very steep if you buy individual passes to each event, so I recommend either finding one of the ticket booths, or heading online to purchase a FUN PASS, or at least one of the other pass options, as they save you around 30% to 50% per attraction!
Niagara-On-The-Lake is another place that is well-known amongst southern Ontario locals, wine lovers and select international tourists, but criminally under appreciated by everyone else.
This historic township is just a short drive away from the falls (or about an hour and a half by bus), is such a gorgeous and quaint town, you don’t need a long time to see it all, but just like an intersting museum, you can spend hours and only cover a short distance, entering each store or pub or restauarant. There are several historic sights in the region, including several old buildings and fortifications from the War of 1812, most of which are free to visit thanks to the Canada Strong Pass that has run over the past two summers.
Speaking of summer, both the falls and Niagara-On-The-Lake are beautiful any time of year! Summer, autumn, spring or winter, the changing of the seasons is far more noticeable in Canada than New Zealand, largely due to the snow, and the far higher quantity of deciduous trees versus evergreens. The Christmas decorations here make it worth visiting during the winter wonderland!
Vineyards near, and around the falls and Niagara-On-The-Lake are some of the best in Canada and North America. I went to research them, but there are over forty in the area alone, so if this is something you are interested in experiencing check out this link!
Lastly, shopping. The Niagara Outlets are a good spot to find brand labels for great prices, and are close to both Niagara-On-The-Lake and the falls. There’s also a brilliant Bass Pro Shop next to the outlets too! If you’re over the U.S side, there are also outlet shops nearby that are highly rated.
It’s only fair we throw our friends south of the border a bone and mention some of the fun things to do in Buffalo too. It is right there, after all! While the USA’s side of the falls has essentially the same amenities as the Canadian side, without the spectacular view, Buffalo is certainly the most intersting city within a short distance of the falls (sorry St. Catharines!).
Buffalo, despite being on the smaller size of a U.S city, is home to two sports teams in the US Major Leagues, namely the Buffalo Bills in the NFL and the Buffalo Sabres in the NHL.
As Canada do not (currently) have a team in the NFL, The Buffalo Bills market themselves as Canada’s team, and have played several matches on the better side of the falls. If you are familliar with Ontario, you’ll know that on certain Sundays when Buffalo is playing home games the border crossing can take slightly longer as Canadian fans jump over to get their football fix! Earlier in the year the Bills moved to a brand new and improved stadium with the same name as their old one, Highmark Stadium, so the photo you can see in this article is unfortunately not true to the current viewing experience, but
Should you be visiting the falls in the Autumn or Winter, and there be no NFL action on, you can catch a Buffalo Sabres game. You might be wondering why bother? Toronto already has a team, the Maple Leafs! Well… if you’ve had a go at buying Leafs tickets in recent history, you’ll know the cheap seats make an All Blacks game back home look like a freebie! The best part about the Buffalo Sabres? They consistently have the cheapest ticket prices in the entire league, and by a large margin too! You can expect to pay half, or sometimes a third, of Maple Leaf’s prices!
Some other significant attractions in Buffalo are:
– Buffalo AKG Art Museum
– Shea’s Buffalo Theatre
– Buffalo Naval Park
– Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
So that’s a kiwis guide, for kiwis, to Niagara Falls. A superb destination no matter what time of year you’re there. What makes it special? Well, the falls are spectacular, but I’d argue it’s all the things to see and do in a little nook separated by two of the worlds largest countries. Plan your visit today!
Article by Joseph Simpson, 9th August 2026
Want to know more? Reach out to Joseph via our Facebook and Instagram channels
Previous articles:
The 2026 RBC Canadian Open returned to the stunning North Course at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ontario, and Kia Ora Canada was there to follow New Zealand’s own Ryan Fox as he looked to defend the title he won in dramatic fashion just 12 months earlier.
As the reigning champion, Ryan Fox was a major talking point throughout the week. His 2025 victory is permanently recognised with a plaque at the course, celebrating the dramatic playoff battle that saw the Kiwi claim his second PGA Tour title. Fox eventually overcame Sam Burns after four tense extra holes, producing one of the standout moments in recent Canadian Open history.
Spurred on in 2025 by the All Whites after their historic win against Côte d’Ivoire in Toronto a day earlier, Fox went on to produce one of the best runs of his career. Now, with the All Whites once again chasing their own piece of history at the FIFA World Cup Kiwi sporting fans were hoping that inspiration could strike twice.
Saturday’s third round had a fantastic atmosphere. Fox was paired with American Brooks Koepka, one of golf’s biggest names and certainly a fan favourite. The pair attracted big galleries, with plenty of loud cheers – and a few good-natured heckles – from the local Canadian crowd. Koepka was also followed by his wife, Jena Sims, adding to the star power of the group.
It was fantastic to see a scattering of Kiwi supporters around the course. One fan proudly carried a Ryan Fox poster alongside a silver fern flag, earning plenty of smiles from fellow spectators.
Fox delivered another solid performance, carding a two-under-par 68 to finish Round 3 just two shots off the lead and firmly in contention heading into Sunday.
The final round began with heavy rain in the forecast, forcing tournament organisers to adjust tee times and send players out in groups of three to ensure the championship could be completed on schedule.
Fox once again showed his class, producing another steady round of 68, good for two under par on the day. He looked poised for a top-five finish, but two bogeys over the closing holes meant the Kiwi finished tied for eighth, five shots behind winner Bud Cauley.
For Cauley, the victory was a story in itself. The 36-year-old American finally broke through for his maiden PGA Tour title after an incredible 239 starts, earning one of the most emotional wins of the season.
While Fox may not have successfully defended his title, his performance proved once again that he belongs among golf’s elite. Four rounds of composed golf on a demanding course showed that his game is in excellent shape heading into the next major challenge.
That challenge comes immediately at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York, where Fox will tee it up at the 2026 U.S. Open. He will be looking to become just the second New Zealander to win the championship, following Michael Campbell’s unforgettable triumph in 2005.
Fox has shown he has the form to contend.
The next week is shaping up as a massive one for New Zealand sport.
| Pos | Player | Country | R4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bud Cauley | United States | -5 | -17 |
| 2 | Matt Fitzpatrick | England | -6 | -15 |
| 3 | Viktor Hovland | Norway | -5 | -14 |
| T4 | Brice Garnett | United States | -2 | -13 |
| T4 | Jimmy Stanger | United States | -3 | -13 |
| T4 | Jackson Suber | United States | E | -13 |
| T4 | Jesper Svensson | Sweden | -2 | -13 |
| T8 | Sudarshan Yellamaraju | Canada | -2 | -12 |
| T8 | Ryan Fox | New Zealand | -2 | -12 |
New Zealand Football fans are heading to Vancouver in June and we’ve set up 2 new Pre-Match Parties.
Demand was so high that we SOLD OUT the Blarney Stone – so now we’ve opened a second New Zealand Pre-Match Party! Just 90 metres away at The Portside Pub as the Kiwi take over of Gastown continues!
Nau mai, haere mai!
Join fellow Kiwi fans for an unforgettable New Zealand Pre-Match Party at The Portside Pub in Vancouver on Sunday June 21st!
The Flying Kiwis, Kia Ora Vancouver, and Kia Ora Canada are teaming up to bring you the ultimate match-day build-up. Expect a buzzing atmosphere with travelling fans and local Kiwis coming together before heading to the stadium (approx. 15-minute walk).
What’s on:
• NZ music and classic Kiwi tunes
• Food & drink specials
• Giveaways throughout the day including an Oyster Bay prize
📍 Location: The Portside Pub, 7 Alexander St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1E9
We’ll also be coordinating a fan march to the stadium, kicking off approximately 90 minutes before match time – keep an eye on The Flying Kiwis Facebook and Instagram for updates and details.
Don’t have a match ticket? No worries – you’re welcome to stay and watch the game live at The Portside Pub.
A proper pre-match atmosphere you won’t want to miss, Join New Zealand fans from around the world for a day of banter, tunes, and unforgettable memories.
🎟️ Limited capacity, this event will sell out!
Further information and tickets can be found on the links below:
* This event is strictly R19 due to licensing regulations *
Featured Image: Hamilton Tiger Cats host Ottawa Redblacks – Joseph Simpson
May marks start to preseason for the Canadian Football League (CFL), and with it, probably one of Canada’s best kept secrets. While Hockey and Lacrosse have reputations as quintissential Canadian sports globally, their own version of American Football, is often not heard of outside of North America. Even athletes from the United States who don’t make the cut for the sport’s far better known and competitive NFL, often find out about the league shortly before signing into it. It’s a sport, and a professional league, that is strictly Canadian.
As a newcomer to Canada, I was surprised to find out about the sporting practices at grassroots level differ significantly from the experiences we have back home in New Zealand. The two differences appear to be firstly, that schools often only field one team per gender per sport, don’t make the first XI soccer team? There’s no second XI, you’ll have to go and find a club to play with this year and try again next year. The second is that because of this competitive nature to even making the team, most sports have grassroots pathways that focus strictly on clubs, and have separate options for those not competing at secondary school. A clear example of this is Ice Hockey. Is all of the High School going down to the rink ahead of the big game? You’d be wrong. Hockey is largely played outside of education institutions, the truth is, they’re all off to watch their High School Football Team. How Canadian!
All jokes aside, it is very Canadian, and one of the most well attended sports in North America. In fact, with an average of 20,000 spectators a game, sits in third place only behind the NFL and Major League Baseball in attendance records. That’s right, the CFL has more consistent attendances than Hockey!
Canadian Football is a nine-team competition that spans the width of the nation, with the exception of the anxiously anticipated Atlantic Canada. The season and post-season runs for about six months mostly over the late spring through summer, usually wrapping up as Hockey and Lacrosse take the stage.
For those reading this in Toronto, you will be happy to know that there is a local team bleeding blue and white, the Argos. The often overlooked member of MLSE, Toronto have produced some great results in the recent history, winning the competition in 2022 and 2025. Readers in Vancouver will be also happy to know that their province is home to the BC lions, less happy to know they are, and have been for a long time, frankly, rubbish.
While not hotspots for New Zealanders, some of the teams with the strongest fanbases are in Edmonton, Alberta and Hamilton, Ontario. The Elks and Tiger-Cats respectively have a rich history in the league, with several championships, while recent history hasn’t been kind, their fans remember glory days and whether it’s a great atmosphere, daunting chants, or their rich histories, these two teams have got it all.
But the team to watch seems to be the Saskatchewan Roughriders, the only professional sports team in Regina, and one of only two in the province alongside Sakatoon’s Saskatchewan Rush, the local Lacrosse team. Perhaps its the lack of other things to do in the city, or the fact that the reigning champions have been on fire last season and many more beforehand, but the often forgotten prarie province makes their voice heard every week in Canadian Football.
If you do get a chance to go to a CFL game, I’d highly recommend going to one of the derby matches between rivals, as this is where the atmosphere is at its height. And luckily, all of these fixtures happen at least once a year on Labour day in the iconic Labour Day Classic. In Alberta the Calgary Stampede comes early when the Calgary Stampeders (Yes, that’s their name) host the Edmonton Elks. In Ontario, the Toronto Argos and Hamilton Tiger-Cats is such a fierce rivalry they chant obscenities about eachother even when the opposition is a different team! The french speaking Montreal Alouettes are arguably rivals of all Ontario teams, but Ottawas Redblacks is certainly the team to beat for fans every year. And while quite far away from eachother, Saskatchewan’s Roughriders have also seen a rivalry form against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, as both teams have risen to be dominant forces in the competition at similar times.
The full list of teams are:
What excatly makes Canadian Football unique from it’s U.S equivalent is similar to the differences between our favourites Rugby Union and Rugby League. As with League’s limit on phases and a faster uncontested set piece, making for overall a usually quicker game. The CFL’s differences to the NFL acheive a similar result. In the CFL, the limit on “downs” , essentially phases or passages of play, is just three, this makes a more pass-heavy game, with more than one pass far more common than the American game, and makes the attack more aggressive in achieving their 10-yard reset on their downs. There’s also a lot more space to move the ball, with 110 yards of legnth to the main field (compared to NFL’s 100), 65 yards of width (compared to NFL’s 53.5) and a huge end zone of 20 yards (compared to NFL’s 10). The extended end zone also sees far more defensive plays inside, as teams failing to run missed kicks out of thier end zone still concede 1 point. To make up for this extra space, pace, and further defensive challenges, Canadian Football is a twelve-a-side game, although the additional player certainly doesn’t slow down the game in any way. There are several other small differences between the codes.
Personally, I would say, as a huge fan of both codes of rugby, that Canadian football makes up significant ground that make American Football often so difficult to watch for those outside of North America, the increased pace of the game being the most important. While it won’t knock your New Zealand merino wool socks proudly purchased at Mitre 10 off, I personally found my CFL experience at the Tim Hortons Field far more enjoyable than NFL’s Highmark Stadium south of the border.
The rules, just like league and union are in a constant state of flux, but whereas the two rugby code’s lawmakers are constantly trying to out-innovate eachother, Canadian Football’s attitue is more sympathetic to the American code, much to the dismay of locals.
Rules are constantly being tweaked to make the game be more like the NFL. A big part of this is due to the differing dynamics between the codes compared to Union and League. While Union is the dominant international code worldwide, and club code in all of the Northern Hemisphere apart from about five villages in Northern England, League’s NRL is certainly a heavyweight competitor for attention. NRL and Super Rugby are at eachother’s throats over stadium and television viewership and it is not uncommon for cross-code players to float between each competition, with at least one making the switch to either every year.
The NFL does not have the global reach of other internationally recognised sports, let alone North American-born sports. While their exhibition games are crowd-bringers, it hasn’t translated into strong grassroots interest or significant development into domestic competitons. Outside of a small number of European countries, most notably, Austria, Great Britain, and Germany (Fun fact: the Austrian Under-20s team in a famous recent upset, beat the USA in the bronze medal match), Canada is the only real country with a strong interest in the sport and the team to back it up. In fact, as of May 2026, the last three Junior football championships, Canada have been champions.
While NCAA Football will likely always reign supreme as the feeder for the NFL, for foreigners, older players, or undrafted players, there isn’t a huge amount of leagues they can play in that are a high enough level that they can keep within the sights of scouts and coaches, an issue prospects in most other sports don’t have, there isn’t an NFL story just like Marty Banks’ journey from playing deep in the Russian Federation’s heartland before that fateful 2015 Highlanders championship.
Europe’s American Football League, one of the only other professional leagues outside of the U.S and Canada, has seen great instability in it’s short-lived history, with the previous administration of the European League of Football essentially folding due to a team revolt. A new league, largely based around Central Europe, is kicking off this month. Hamburg and Frankfurt’s ineptitude make crossing the Atlantic a risky place for any journeyman American to play their beloved sport. This leaves only one option.
Canada, as the only other country with a strong interest in the sport domestically, have seen more and more players from south of the border cross over to join their teams, combined with the fruits of their junior programme’s labour leading to the highest amount of active Canadian players in the NFL in their history, and NFL interest at an all-time high, with sometimes half the crowd of a Buffalo Bills game coming from Ontario, CFL teams are essentially becoming feeders to the NFL. This puts Canadian rulemakers and directors at a difficult crossroads. Do they cave into the pressure from the NFL and adjust their game to play more similar to the American, or outright abolish their own, rules of the game, becoming vassals? The NFL’s 51st state, if you will. Or will they stay true to their roots, and keep the CFL a game strictly by Canadians, for Canadians? The first option might set off alarm bells in your head, but caving in would likely provide huge amounts of American cash, and see more Canadian’s in the NFL. Heck, Toronto might one day cast off their rose coloured glasses for the Buffalo Bills and cheer for their own NFL team.
My thoughts are this: Right now, Canadian Football are still a quintissentially Canadian sport, and that might be the case forever, or, it might not be. Rather than waiting around to find out, the best thing you can do is purchase a ticket, go down and support your local team, particularly get amongst the great rivalries between the Argos and Tiger-Cats, Alouettes and Redblacks, Elks and Stampeders, and raise a glass to this brilliant game, because all good things must come to an end.
Article by Joseph Simpson, 16th May 2026
Want to know more? Reach out to Joseph via our Facebook and Instagram channels.
It’s playoff time in Toronto, and Kia Ora Canada is excited to offer our community an exclusive ticket opportunity thanks to the Toronto Raptors.
For the first time since 2022, the Raptors are back in Round One of the NBA Playoffs, where they’ll face off against the Cleveland Cavaliers. It’s shaping up to be an electric series, and there’s no better way to experience it than live.
Kia Ora Canada members have access to playoff tickets through our exclusive offer which can be accessed here.
In addition, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment is once again opening up Jurassic Park for fans to watch the playoff games on big screens outside Scotiabank Arena.
Jurassic Park became world-famous during the Raptors’ 2019 championship run and was so popular it had to be expanded multiple times to accommodate demand.
Fans will need to download the Toronto Raptors app to enter the draw and secure access. Entry will be free, but tickets are limited to two per person.
Kia Ora Canada has been working behind the scenes alongside NZ Football and The Flying Kiwis around the All Whites FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign in Vancouver.
We’re excited to share some further news.
Not only will the All Whites face England in Tampa, Florida in a World Cup warm-up match on June 6th, but NZ Football has also announced a dedicated NZ supporters’ zone behind the goal! This is a fantastic opportunity for fans to get behind the team and experience the match atmosphere up close—especially for those who may not be able to make it to LA or Vancouver for the World Cup itself.
Ticketing details:
Tickets go on sale Tuesday April 14 at 10am EST.
Access link: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0D006481CE88D716?did=nzsupporters
Passcode: NZSUPP
We understand ticket prices are expected to be around USD $100.
The match in Tampa will mark the All Whites third meeting with England, with the previous two encounters both taking place in June 1991 in Auckland and Wellington respectively.
Will England finally bring it home in 2026? or will the All Whites derail their World Cup preparations before they’ve even begun!
Kia Ora Canada will have further updates soon around all the exciting events and pre-match functions we have planned during the World Cup.
Kia Ora Canada was on the ground at Coca-Cola Coliseum on Saturday for the second of three “Battle of Ontario” matchups this month, as the Toronto Sceptres hosted the Ottawa Charge in front of a sell-out crowd of 8,716.
It was clear this was more than just a hockey game—it was an event. With Barbie as an official partner of the PWHL, the arena was awash with pink, as fans embraced the theme and snapped up Barbie belt bag giveaways. It added to what was already a vibrant, family-friendly atmosphere—one of the standout features of the PWHL experience.
Despite a packed Toronto sports schedule—with both Toronto FC and the Toronto Blue Jays playing the same day—the Coliseum was buzzing. It speaks volumes about the growing appetite for women’s hockey in the city and the league’s ability to draw passionate support.
The crowd made their presence felt early and often, with loud “Let’s Go Sceptres” chants echoing around the arena, trying to spur the home side on in what quickly became a tight, physical contest.
Toronto came out flying, dominating the first period with pace and pressure. That momentum carried through much of the game, with the Sceptres finishing with a remarkable 42 shots on goal.
Yet somehow, the scoreboard remained locked at 0–0 after two periods.
As is often the case in hockey, failing to capitalize can come back to haunt you—and for Toronto, discipline proved costly at key moments. Midway through the third period, the Sceptres found themselves down two players, while Ottawa also had a player in the penalty box, creating a brief but tense 4-on-3 situation that shifted momentum.
At 11:20 of the third period, Charge captain Brianne Jenner broke the deadlock with her 10th goal of the season, capitalizing on a turnover forced by Rebecca Leslie. Rookie Sarah Wozniewicz sealed the result with an empty-net goal late in the game, giving Ottawa a 2–0 victory.
Ottawa’s goalie, Gwyneth Philips, delivered a historic performance, stopping all 42 shots—the most ever in a PWHL shutout. It was a clinic in composure and positioning, keeping the Charge in the game despite being outplayed for long stretches.
Toronto goalie Raygan Kirk had a quieter night in terms of volume, stopping 16 of 17 shots, but still delivered a solid performance in a game where focus is often harder to maintain.
This game had a real edge to it. With national team players on both sides, the physicality built throughout, and at times the referees had to step in to keep things under control. It was fast, intense, and fiercely contested, with some heavy hits that wouldn’t look out of place back in New Zealand on a “Smashed ’Em Bro” segment from Crowd Goes Wild. The crowd fed off that energy too, finding its voice in the third period and loudly voicing their frustration with the officiating through a chant.
The result has major playoff implications. Ottawa moves into the crucial fourth and final playoff spot with 36 points, while Toronto sits just behind in fifth with 34.
With another head-to-head clash looming at TD Place Arena in Ottawa later this month, the stage is set for a dramatic finish. That matchup could very well decide who claims the final playoff berth.
Ottawa Charge Acting Head Coach Hayley Irwin kept it simple post-game, summing it up with, “A win’s a win,” highlighting the importance of taking the result and moving forward in a tight playoff race.
Ottawa Goalie, Gwyneth Philips was pleased with both the performance and the bigger picture: “Pretty good, but I’m just excited to be back in the playoff spot. We’ve got some good energy in the locker room so I’m looking forward to the next three games.”
Goal scorer Brianne Jenner emphasized the team’s motivation and collective effort: “I think the thing that’s motivating us right now is chasing that playoff spot… Gwyneth was huge for us today, but up and down our lineup, we had players coming up in key moments… it’s coming together.”
For Toronto, Raygan Kirk reflected on the nature of the contest, calling it a high-intensity battle: “It felt like a playoff game… the first period especially was super fast… there’s a lot of good to take from it.”
Sceptres Head Coach Troy Ryan echoed that sentiment, noting the positives despite the result: “I liked a lot of what went on today… we were playing the right way. Playing well enough to win… but sometimes when you let teams hang in, it tends to cost you—and obviously it did.”
If this game was anything to go by, attending a PWHL game should be high on your list:
The PWHL continues to build momentum, and nights like this show exactly why. High-quality hockey, big-game energy, and a growing fanbase—women’s sport in Canada is not just thriving, it’s must-watch.
Kia Ora Canada will be keeping a close eye on the final “Battle of Ontario” clash—because if this one was anything to go by, we’re in for something special.
Featured Image Credit: Canadian Premier League
Picture this: It’s May 2006. You’re watching rugby on the TV. Not just any game, the Super Rugby Final, Crusaders versus Hurricanes. Both teams have been indeniably on-form, and are both leaps and bounds ahead of any other team. This is the most anticipated rugby game of 2006. But when you flick on the television you can barely see anything. Half the field is coated in a thick haze, the commentators sound clueless, and any time the ball is kicked, nobody, not even the players, know where it’s gone. It’s the Final In The Fog.
Canada might not have their “Fog Final,” but they do have their −1 °C “icicle kick” scored in the 2025 CPL final. A final that will go down cult history as it was played in a snowstorm.
Canada’s penultimate football/soccer competition might not initially be on your radar as a newcomer to the country, especially as a Kiwi. After all, there’s ice hockey, Canadian football, lacrosse, baseball and so many other sports that aren’t popular back home to enjoy. This was certainly my attitude when I recieved free tickets to my first game on James Street in Hamilton, Ontario. After attending several games now, I can share with you that this is in fact a competition worth watching, and will give those missing their A League fix a great opportunity to watch football at a better price than Major League Soccer or the International game.
While football might not be on every New Zealanders radar. Admittedly, it’s been almost three years since I’ve supported my local team, the Wellington Phoenix, back when Eden Park and Auckland were considered a second home base, it’s currently incredibly topical, particularly for those of us in North America.
New Zealand football touched down in Toronto in June last year for the Canadian Shield Tournament, bringing countries together from four different continents, the All Whites found themseves underdogs against African and European heavy hitters Côte d’Ivoire and Ukraine. In a shock turn of events, the Kiwis toppled the at the time reigning African champions, finishing the tournament in second place after a narrow loss to Ukraine. It was a phenominal spectacle
Combined with the impending World Cup which will see the All Whites play two of their pool matches in Vancouver, Canada, against Belgium and Egypt, and further matches south of the border such as their pool match against Iran and warm-up against the formiddable English, the number of North American has dominated the mind of New Zealand sports fans living in this part of the world all year.
While the All Blacks taking on the Springboks in Baltimore, Maryland will be a battle for the ages, Sail GP coming to Halifax, Nova Scotia and the Sevens getting tournaments in Vancouver, BC and New York (Actually, New Jersey!) are all incredibly exciting, this year is certainly the year of football, soccer, whatever you’d like to call it. But with the first matches not until June, where can you get your fix in the meantime? The answer is the CPL.
The Canadian Premier League (CPL) is the second flight of Canadian football, and the largest competition solely played in Canada. It sits behind only Canada’s three Major League Soccer (MLS) teams based in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. Major League Soccer is likely more well-known to those from outside of Canada, and has fielded some exciting results in recent history, such as Toronto FC’s record-setting championship season in 2017, and just as of last year, the Vancouver Whitecaps made the final.
While the MLS is an exciting competition, the CPL is a suprising dark horse that can often be seen as a feeder for these three clubs, but in reality, is so much more. The CPL consists of eight clubs spread all accross Canada, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Most kiwis are lucky to be concentrated in British Columbia and Ontario, the only provinces with multiple teams. BC field teams in Vancouver, and Victoria on Vancouver Island, meanwhile there is a team to watch in Ontario if you live in or nearby Hamilton, Ottawa, or last but certainly not least, Toronto.
So what makes this league worth a watch? Aside from the typically far cheaper tickets (Although certain teams with strong followings such as the Halifax Wanderers and Forge FC are slightly more expensive), it’s often just great football to watch, and there will be a team that you can get behind with a style that resonates with you. The previously mentioned Forge FC of Hamilton, alongside Calgary’s Cavalry and Ottawa’s Atlético are certainly reminiscent in terms of their organisation to that of your favourite Auckland FC and Wellington Phoenix. These clubs were the top three performers in 2025 by a country mile. If you’re more into scrappy, shin bruising, Fielding High School Second XI type of football, then one of the ragtag groups from Inter Toronto FC or Pacific FC might be your team to get behind.
This is however, the biggest drawback to the competition at present. In seven seasons thus far, the Hamilton’s Forge FC has dominated with four championships and three regular season wins. Who’s right behind them? Cavalry and Atlético. It’s a story we’ve heard before in football competitions around the world, such as the Scottish Premiership giving us what feels like half a century of Glaswegian dominance, with Celtic and Rangers passing titles to eachother like it’s a tennis match. With only in 2026, Edinburgh’s Hearts are looking like the first team in decades to challenge that duopoly. The difference between the Canadians and the Scots? There is distinct heritage, investment and cult followings behind each and every one of them. It’s not to say that football clubs in the home islands don’t run into financial trouble, or even go into slumps that their supporters rue the day they reminisce, but more often than not, they bounce back.
Just like many other fledling North American sports leagues in the last decade, the Canadian Premier League, founded in 2019, has already seen several clubs change hands, fold and be reborn, or just cease to exist permanently. Out of all the clubs present in the 2026 season I can safely say only half are likley to be secure in their future as a football franchise in Canada, even last year, due to low attendance and interest, Winnipeg concluded the season for the last time, denying the league an opportunity to have a record eight teams with the introduction of Montreal’s FC Supra du Québec. It’s worth noting that fan speculation on the internet rarely had Winnipeg in mind for a potential team to fold in 2025, with the West Coast teams in particular possibly on the chopping block in the future, if you ask a typical Instagram or Reddit commenter.
In amongst all these trials and tribulations though, you get some brilliant football, and for the first time ever, the Canadian Premier League rocked global headlines with their final last year.
The 2025 season finished in what some might call a typical fashion for the league. Hamilton’s Forge FC won the regular season title, sitting in a comfortable first, and comfortable favourites. Then the unexpected happened, Ottawa, then Calgary, both travelled to the Hammer and won difficult away games to knock out the title favourites and set the stage for the Ottawa to host the CPL final for the second time in their clubs short history.
Atlético Ottawa, founded by Atlético Madrid in 2020, had the homefield advantage, and the advantage of being able to draw players from Madrid’s network of clubs they own around the world, Auckland FC getting a leg up thanks to Bournemouth, if you will. The Team also featured 29 year old New Zealander Monty Patterson, who after a couple seasons with amateaur and semi-professional teams back home, found himself in Ottawa for the 2025 season.
Cavalry FC, one of the founding clubs of the CPL, also looked on-form and had won the previous year in another upset win over the Forge FC. While certainly not favourites in the matchup, with a previous win and two regular season titles under their belt, the Cavalry had the accolades to suggest there would certainly be fight in them. Invercargill born midfielder Jay Herdman is the closest a New Zealander got to Cavalry’s finals squad, unfortunately placed on loan to Vancouver FC toward the end of the season.
Thirteen thousand fans entered Ottawa’s TD Place, just narrowly falling short of the finals attendance record the city had previously set a few years prior, warm jackets, toques and gloves covering the jerseys of supporters. It’s worth noting that many of these fans would have been learning that they even had a CPL team for the first time! Probably a better watch than Ottawa’s capitulation to Toronto in the Stanely Cup playoffs that year.
Prepare for some deja vu, and some brain freeze. Snowy conditions meant that there was a potential need to postpone the game, but as with a certain final in 2006, two decades on, they decided to press on. Even as the teams exited the tunnels, the football field was covered in a white blanket of snow.
The game kicked off with some real tenacity from both sides, but whether it was the subzero temperatures, the snow on the field, the stop-start nature of the game as they cleared the field, or the crowd presence, the errors kept building up. It’s hard to say who was in control. Ottawa looked particularly strong on the attack, with Mexican-born David Rodríguez shooting on target and exploiting Cavalry FC’s errors, but David, alongside the rest of Ottawa’s attack, couldn’t connect the ball in the net, the snow clearly adding drag to their boots and the ball, sending it in all sorts of directions.
What Cavalry FC lacked in star power and an ability to capitalise on errors, they made up for with a burning desire to maintain possession at all costs, sacraficing field position to hold on to the ball occasionally. Their greed did in fact, eventually work in their favour. Cavalry’s Fraser Aird struck a penalty in the box which was by no means glamorous, but might go down in history as one of the worst keeper efforts by Ottawa’s captain and keeper, Nathan Ingham. The ball thumped and barged along the snow at a snails pace, like an Antarctic icebreaker, or one of those underarm bowls you do for your youngest nephew in backyard cricket, yet Cavalry FC now held the advantage.
After Cavalry celebrations finished up, in amongst a hail of snowballs from the upset crowd, play was resumed and a fire was lit in both teams. Ottawa’s David Rodríguez, several attempts later, finally had fortune favour him in the antithesis to Aird’s penalty, sent an extrodinary bicycle kick into Cavalry’s net off a disorganised corner that was so magnificent, it has rightfully earned it’s title of the “icicle kick” around the world and is possibly the greatest goal ever scored in the Canadian Premier League.
While filed with elation, the snow kept Ottawa or Calgary from capitalising on thier respective goals. The Snow maintained it’s authority on the field for the remainder of the half, and well into the second half. Toward the end of the second, patches of green could finally be seen, and the pace properly picked up, not before the game could go into extra time.
This is when we could finally see the talents of the attack on full display, as the first one-hundred-and-fifty minutes of this three hour battle had been dominated by stalward defensive efforts from both sides, Ottawa’s Roni Mbomio, Noah Abatneh and Loïc Cloutier certainly standout players. But all glory to the plucky Mexican, on loan from another “Atlético” with the last laugh, chipping another beautifully controlled strike, with the only other in the game being his previous goal, straight over the keeper to seal the game for the home side. Ottawa were 2025 CPL champions.
This game alone, makes this league worth watching. The weather a metaphor for the play that for five minutes might look like you’re watching Liverpool take on Chelsea, then the next twenty make you think the Chatham Islands might field a better team. It’s scrappy, it’s hard work, and my goodness it’s a beautiful game.
So, while we wait for the All Whites to arrive on Turtle Island, get out their and go support your local CPL team! You never know, you might get to see some absurdity from David Rodríguez if you’re lucky!
Current Clubs
Atlético Ottawa – Ottawa, Ontario
Cavalry FC – Calgary, Alberta
Forge FC – Hamilton, Ontario
Halifax Wanderers FC – Halifax, Nova Scotia
Inter Toronto FC – Toronto, Ontario
Pacific FC – Victoria, British Columbia
FC Supra du Québec – Montreal, Quebec
Vancouver FC – Vancouver, British Columbia
2025 CPL Finals Highlights
Article by Joseph Simpson, 12th April 2026
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