'A real shot of joy': Hurricanes campaign a 'bright spot' for Wellington, as final sells out in minutes

17 minutes ago

Cam Roigard celebrates a try with teammates during the Hurricanes' Super Rugby Pacific semifinal against the Blues at Hnry Stadium, Wellington, 13 June 2026.

Copyright photo: Masanori Udagawa / www.photosport.

Photo: Photosport

The tin is most certainly full, and Wellington's leaders say the Hurricanes' jubilant campaign to reach the Super Rugby finals is a glimmer of brightness amid a tough few months for the capital.

The team's call to 'fill the tin' for this Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific final against the Chiefs was heard loud and clear - with tickets snapped up rapidly.

About 34,500 seats were gone in 15 minutes at most - to the shock of some enthusiasts on Lambton Quay.

"No way, actually! No, now we're really going to have to sneak in, do you think they'll notice if she takes me in her bag?" one woman asked her friend.

Many disappointed fans turned to social media on Tuesday in a bid to grab re-sales, with assurances they'd pay much more than the original selling price.

Hnry Stadium chief executive Warrick Dent said he's in talks with the Hurricanes to add more seats at the 'Cake Tin' - but it's currently sold out.

"It's just a matter of whether we can get that done in time - but there is a lot of interest. The response from the community and across the region has been really really strong, so yeah they'll be in hot demand, and I'm sure there will be people looking for tickets every avenue they can."

Hnry Stadium chief executive Warrick Dent.

Photo: Supplied

Anna Calver thought she had got in early, after trying to buy tickets five minutes after they went on sale.

"I went to buy four tickets ... at 10:05 and missed out for my family, I've got a 10-year-old rugby-mad son, a rugby-mad 13-year-old daughter, and a rugby-mad 42-year-old husband - but I've got one ticket for myself, that I've managed to get because the city council is a supporter."

Calver, Wellington City Council's chief economic engagement officer, said 17,000 tickets at Hnry Stadium were sold to Wellingtonians - with the rest coming from out of town.

She said the game could bring millions of dollars of economic benefit into the city, and expected bars, shops and restaurants to be brimming this weekend.

"I think people want to get out, they want to celebrate and they want to do that with people, and there's no better way to do that than in the central city."

Calver said the run-up to the sell-out final had raised the city's mood.

"It's the fact you can have this shared experience, it's a real shot of joy to us all."

Wellington City Council's chief economic engagement officer Anna Calver.

Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

After months of grim headlines about pipe disasters, job losses and flooding, mayor Andrew Little agreed.

"It's been a really bright spot for Wellington city - a city that's had a really tough start of the year. And this has been just a great fillip to us all, and we're all looking for a great result on Saturday night."

Inside the team, Hurricanes prop Xavier Numia said anticipation was growing following the news of a sell-out crowd.

"It's hissing, it's unreal, fill the tin to the brim, overflow the tin now ... so nah it's good, it's my first time playing at the tin being full."

Numia said being crowned Super Rugby champions at home would mean everything for the team.

"The last couple of years, a lot of us have repped hard towards this point, so hopefully to lift the trophy at the end - I guess would be a dream come true."

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