Stan Walker to Headline Historic NRL All Stars Return to Aotearoa

The National Rugby League (NRL) has announced its entertainment lineup for the 2026 Harvey Norman All Stars, announcing that multi-award-winning artist Stan Walker will headline the cultural celebration.

The event, set for Sunday, 15 February 2026, at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton, marks only the second time the All Stars concept has been staged in New Zealand, providing a significant boost to the region’s $13.7 billion visitor economy.

Walker, recently named Best Māori Artist at the 2025 AMAs, will perform his celebrated anthem “Mō Āke Tonu” alongside a brand-new single.

As a cultural leader from Tauranga, Walker’s involvement underscores the organisation’s commitment to authentic Indigenous representation.

“I’m so proud and excited to be part of this year’s Harvey Norman All Stars.”

“This event is a beautiful celebration of Indigenous culture and I can’t wait to share some songs with the fans,” Walker said. 

Strategic Significance and Event Schedule

The 2026 fixture is the 15th iteration of the All Stars concept and the eighth clash specifically between the Māori and Indigenous teams. The event serves as the official launchpad for the 2026 rugby league season, with a week-long programme of community outreach and cultural education preceding the matches.

The game-day schedule at FMG Stadium Waikato includes:

2:25 pm: Māori All Stars v Indigenous All Stars (Mixed Touch Football)

3:30 pm: Māori Wahine Toa v Indigenous All Stars (NRLW)

5:45 pm: Māori Tāne All Stars v Indigenous All Stars (NRL)

Commercially, the event is a high-performance driver for Hamilton City Council, which has invested heavily to secure the fixture. With tickets starting at $19 for adults, the NRL is targeting a “full house” following the record-breaking success of standalone NRLW fixtures in the city last year. Māori All Stars players Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Harata Butler have already been active in the local community to drive engagement ahead of the February kick-off.

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