Coming to Wellington for the game? Here is your complete guide to hotels near the stadium, where to eat, where to drink, and where the night goes after the final whistle.
Hnry Stadium is right on the Wellington waterfront, a short walk from the CBD and Courtenay Place. With a 5:10pm kickoff you have the whole afternoon to settle in before the game, and the whole evening after it. Wellington is a compact, walkable city and the game day experience here is one of the best in New Zealand rugby.
12pm
Check in and settle
Most hotels allow early check-in on request. Get sorted, grab a coffee on Cuba Street or Courtenay Place, and take a walk along the waterfront.
2pm
Pre-game lunch or early drinks
Courtenay Place fills up with All Blacks jerseys from early afternoon. Get in early at one of the Courtenay Place bars or grab a feed at one of the spots below before the crowds hit.
4pm
Head to the stadium
Hnry Stadium is a 15 minute walk from Courtenay Place along the waterfront. Gates open well before kickoff. The atmosphere builds fast once you are inside.
5:10pm
Kickoff
All Blacks vs Italy. Hnry Stadium. One of the great rugby venues in the world on a test match day.
7:30pm
Full time, head back to Courtenay Place
The walk back along the waterfront takes 15 minutes and the whole crowd heads the same direction. Bars and restaurants on Courtenay Place fill immediately after the final whistle.
Late
The night carries on
Courtenay Place runs well past midnight. The Mermaid Wellington at number 73 is open late and a popular post-game destination for those who want to keep the night going.
Where to Stay
Hotels Near Hnry Stadium
Most Wellington CBD hotels are within a 10 to 20 minute walk of Hnry Stadium. Book early for test match weekends, rooms go fast and prices spike closer to game day.
Five Star
InterContinental Wellington
Grey Street, CBD
The corporate gold standard in Wellington. Excellent club lounge, spa, and a concierge team that knows the city well. Right by the waterfront and a short walk to the stadium.
A bold, art filled design hotel right by the waterfront and Te Papa. Closest major hotel to Hnry Stadium. A great bar and a distinctive, memorable stay.
Right on Courtenay Place in the heart of the post-game action. Walk out of the hotel and straight into the celebration. Spacious rooms and a buffet breakfast.
Modern apartment style rooms with full kitchens, just off Courtenay Place. The space of an apartment with the service of a hotel. Good value for a test match weekend.
Wellington punches well above its weight for food. Courtenay Place and the streets off it have everything from a quick feed before the game to a proper sit-down dinner afterwards. The spots below are all within a short walk of the stadium route.
Fine Dining
Ortega Fish Shack
Majoribanks Street
One of Wellington's most loved restaurants, a short walk up from Courtenay Place. Exceptional seafood, great wine list. Book well ahead for a test match weekend.
A refined, much loved Italian two minutes from Courtenay Place. Beautifully executed food and excellent service. A great post-game dinner if you have a booking.
A Wellington legend right on Courtenay Place. Fast, generous, authentic Cantonese at unbeatable prices, open late. The roast duck and mapo tofu are the stuff of local legend.
A lively craft brewpub a block from Courtenay Place, with great beer and solid pub food. An easy, no-fuss option that handles big groups well on game nights.
Courtenay Place is the beating heart of Wellington nightlife and fills up with rugby fans well before kickoff. These are the best spots to settle in for a few before heading to the stadium.
Cocktail Bar
Hawthorn Lounge
Tory Street
A hidden upstairs speakeasy with serious cocktails and a late licence. Civilised, dimly lit and open into the small hours. Great pre-game if you like things a bit more relaxed.
Full time is around 7:30pm, which leaves a full evening ahead. The walk back along the waterfront takes 15 minutes and the whole crowd flows the same direction toward Courtenay Place. From there, Wellington's nightlife runs as late as you want to take it.
For those who want to keep the night going well past the bars, The Mermaid Wellington is right on Courtenay Place at number 73. Open late every night, it is a natural last stop on a big night in Wellington and one of the city's most popular adult entertainment venues.
Most Popular Post-Game
Adult Entertainment
The Mermaid Wellington
73 Courtenay Place
Wellington's premier adult entertainment venue, right on Courtenay Place. Open late every night. A welcoming, upmarket venue that is a natural end to a great night in Wellington. $30 entry.
The test match is at Hnry Stadium (formerly Sky Stadium) at 105 Waterloo Quay, Wellington. Kickoff is 5:10pm on Saturday 11 July 2026.
About a 15 minute walk along the waterfront. The route is flat, well lit, and safe. Most of the crowd heads the same direction after the game so it is a lively walk back.
QT Wellington on Cable Street is the closest major hotel to the stadium. The InterContinental on Grey Street and the Oaks on Courtenay Place are both within a 15-20 minute walk. Book early for test match weekends as rates climb fast.
Courtenay Place is the centre of post-game Wellington and fills up fast after the final whistle. The Mermaid Wellington at 73 Courtenay Place is one of the most popular late night destinations. Open every night, $30 entry, no booking required but recommended for test match weekends.
Yes. The CBD, waterfront, stadium, Courtenay Place and Cuba Street all sit inside a compact, flat, walkable area. You can walk from most hotels to the stadium in 15-20 minutes and the post-game walk back to Courtenay Place is part of the experience.
Yes, for restaurants on test match weekend especially. The finer dining options like Ortega, Capitol and Dragonfly fill up weeks ahead. More casual spots and bars are generally walk-in but will be busy. The Mermaid Wellington accepts bookings and it is worth securing your spot.
This guide is provided by The Mermaid Wellington as a service to visitors. Third party venue recommendations are based on publicly available ratings and local knowledge. The Mermaid is not affiliated with third party venues listed and receives no payment for inclusion. Please check current opening hours and availability directly with each venue. Match details correct at time of publication, check official sources for any changes.
