Streaming & TV Guide
How to Watch the 2026 World Cup in New Zealand
Every confirmed way to watch all 104 FIFA World Cup 2026 matches from New Zealand — official TV channels, live streams, free options and how to set each one up.
Watch for free
- TVNZ 1 (free-to-air TV): the All Whites' three group games and any knockout games, plus the opening match, the Final, and several other selected matches - completely free, no account.
- TVNZ+ (free tier): around 22 matches free in total, including all the free-to-air games plus about 11 extra group-stage / Round-of-32 matches that stream free exclusively on TVNZ+. You only need a free TVNZ+ account.
- Cheapest way to see every match: the one-off NZ$44.95 TVNZ+ Event Pass - there is no monthly subscription, it is a single payment covering the whole tournament.
- If you only care about the All Whites and the big games (opening match, Final), you can watch entirely free and never pay anything.
Broadcasters & streaming
TVNZ 1 (free-to-air TV)
FreeFree with ads; no subscription needed- Coverage
- Selected free matches only: all three All Whites group games (vs Iran, Egypt, Belgium) plus any All Whites knockout games, the opening match (Mexico v South Africa), two further group games, two Round of 16 games, one quarter-final, one semi-final and the Final.
- Languages
- English
- Devices
- Smart TV, Freeview TV, Sky TV channel
How to set up & watch
- 1Make sure your TV is tuned to receive Freeview (free-to-air) in New Zealand, or find TVNZ 1 on your Sky channel list.
- 2Check the kickoff time in NZT - most matches air in the New Zealand morning/early afternoon (All Whites group games are around 1pm-3pm NZT).
- 3Switch to TVNZ 1 a few minutes before kickoff for the pre-match build-up.
- 4No login or payment is required - just watch live on the channel.
TVNZ+ (streaming - free tier)
FreeFree with a TVNZ+ account; ad-supported- Coverage
- Around 22 matches free in total. This includes everything shown free-to-air on TVNZ 1 (All Whites games, opening match, Final, etc.) plus roughly 11 extra group-stage and Round-of-32 matches that stream free exclusively on TVNZ+.
- Languages
- English
- Devices
- Web browser, iOS, Android, Apple TV, Smart TV, Chromecast, AirPlay, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
How to set up & watch
- 1Go to tvnz.co.nz or install the TVNZ+ app from the App Store, Google Play, or your smart TV / console app store.
- 2Create a free TVNZ+ account (email and password) and log in - it is free and required to stream.
- 3Open the FIFA World Cup 2026 section/hub on TVNZ+ and pick a match marked as free.
- 4Press play to watch live, or use the catch-up/replay option after the match.
- 5To watch on the big screen, cast from the TVNZ+ phone app using Chromecast or AirPlay, or open the TVNZ+ app directly on your smart TV, Apple TV, or game console.
TVNZ+ FIFA World Cup 2026 Event Pass (streaming - paid)
PaidOne-off payment of NZ$44.95 for the whole tournament (no ongoing subscription)- Coverage
- All 104 matches live, plus daily highlights, replays and analysis on demand.
- Languages
- English
- Devices
- Web browser, iOS, Android, Apple TV, Smart TV, Chromecast, AirPlay, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
How to set up & watch
- 1Go to tvnz.co.nz/passes (or open the TVNZ+ app and find the Event Pass / FIFA World Cup 2026 section).
- 2Create or log in to your free TVNZ+ account.
- 3Buy the FIFA World Cup 2026 Event Pass for the one-off NZ$44.95 payment.
- 4Open the FIFA World Cup 2026 hub and choose any of the 104 matches - all are unlocked once you hold the pass.
- 5Press play to watch live, or use replays/highlights on demand afterwards.
- 6Cast to a TV via Chromecast or AirPlay from your phone, or sign in to the TVNZ+ app on a smart TV, Apple TV, or PlayStation/Xbox console.
Sky Venue Pass (commercial venues - bars, restaurants, hotels)
PaidPaid commercial product for venues (pricing via Sky Business); not for home viewers- Coverage
- A pop-up FIFA World Cup 2026 channel broadcasting all 104 matches, available to licensed commercial venues such as bars, restaurants, hotels and motels.
- Languages
- English
- Devices
- Sky TV (commercial)
How to set up & watch
- 1This option is for licensed commercial venues only, not home viewers.
- 2If you run a bar, restaurant or hotel, contact Sky Business about a Sky Venue Pass.
- 3Purchase the Sky Venue Pass to unlock the pop-up FIFA World Cup 2026 channel.
- 4Tune your venue's Sky setup to the pop-up channel to show every match live.
Good to know
TVNZ is the exclusive New Zealand rights-holder for FIFA World Cup 2026 - a major change from previous tournaments which were on Sky Sport. Sky's only role this time is a commercial Sky Venue Pass for bars/hotels, not home coverage. TVNZ+ streaming is geo-blocked to New Zealand: it will not work overseas without a New Zealand connection, and using a VPN may breach TVNZ's terms. Reporting indicates TVNZ+ coverage is HD only, with no confirmed 4K/UHD stream. No in-tournament blackouts apply to the free All Whites games. Kickoff times are in the NZ morning to early afternoon (NZT) because matches are played across the USA, Canada and Mexico - the All Whites' group games are around 1pm-3pm NZT. RNZ provides general World Cup news coverage; for live audio away from a screen, the free TVNZ+ app stream is the most reliable NZ option. The NZ$44.95 Event Pass is a one-off payment, not a recurring subscription. Prices and exact free-match selections are based on TVNZ's official announcements as of June 2026 and could be adjusted.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2026 World Cup on Sky Sport in New Zealand?
- No. For the first time, TVNZ holds the exclusive New Zealand rights, not Sky Sport. Sky's only involvement is a commercial Sky Venue Pass for bars, restaurants and hotels. Home viewers watch on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+.
- How can I watch the All Whites for free?
- All three All Whites group games (vs Iran, Egypt and Belgium) and any knockout games are free live on TVNZ 1 and on the free TVNZ+ stream. You do not need to buy the Event Pass to watch New Zealand play - just tune in to TVNZ 1 or sign up for a free TVNZ+ account.
- How much does it cost to watch every match, and is it a subscription?
- Watching all 104 matches costs a one-off NZ$44.95 for the TVNZ+ FIFA World Cup 2026 Event Pass. It is a single payment for the whole tournament, not a recurring monthly subscription, and includes live matches plus highlights and replays.
- Can I watch TVNZ+ World Cup coverage from overseas?
- No. TVNZ's rights are limited to New Zealand and TVNZ+ is geo-blocked, so it will not stream outside the country. If you are travelling, you would need a local broadcaster in the country you are in.