Ireland set for Chicago rematch with the All Blacks

The game is likely to be played in late October or early November of 2025.

Mon, 22 Jul, 2024 - 21:28

PJ Browne

Ireland are set to play New Zealand at Soldier Field in Chicago next year.

The stadium was the site of Ireland's first ever victory over the All Blacks, a 40-29 win in 2016.

The Post, a New Zealand publication, reports that the game is likely to be played in late October or early November of 2025. It is added that a strong connection has developed between the IRFU and New Zealand Rugby at executive level.

That is in contrast to the tetchy relationship between the two nations on the pitch in recent years. The All Blacks defeated Ireland 28-24 in an enthralling World Cup knockout stage game last year, a result which ended Ireland's hopes of progressing beyond the tournament's quarter-finals for the first time.

After Ireland's win in 2016, the All Blacks quickly gained revenge a fortnight later in a heated clash in Dublin which the visitors won 21-9. In the summer of 2022, Ireland won their first ever test against the All Blacks on New Zealand soil and went on to emerge victorious in the series, 2-1.

Another New Zealand publication, Stuff.co.nz reported in May that New York and Boston were both being considered as options for the game. The 2016 game at Soldier Field was a 62,300 sell-out, making it seem like the safer bet. On Saturday, the All Blacks defeated Fiji 47-5 in front of 33,000 at San Diego State University's Snapdragon Stadium.