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2026 NPC Odds - Canterbury favourites for NPC title in 2026

ralph-staniforth
Editor
Last updated: Wed 22 Jul 2026 01:21
The 2026 National Provincial Championship (NPC) begins on July 30, featuring New Zealand's top provincial rugby teams. Canterbury are the bookmakers' favourites, listed at 3.50, with Taranaki and Tasman close behind at 5.50. Other contenders like Otago, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, and Hawkes Bay are outsiders. Notably, many games will occur without New Zealand's international stars, who will be on tour in South Africa during much of the tournament. Expect a competitive season with opportunities for rising talent.
Ralph Staniforth 1 hour ago
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  • 2026 NPC starts July 30 with Canterbury as favourites (3.50 odds).
  • Taranaki and Tasman are main challengers at 5.50 odds.
  • Most games will be without NZ's international players due to their South Africa tour.
Waikato NPC Rugby
The 2026 NPC gets underway on 30 July 2026 (Getty Images)

The 2026 National Provincial Championship (NPC) gets underway on 30 July 2026. It is the provincial rugby union competition involving New Zealand's provincial sides.

Canterbury go into this campaign as favourites, priced at 3.50 with bet365 while Taranaki and Tasman follow closely behind at 5.50.

Otago, Bay of Plenty, Wellington and Hawkes Bay are all given an outside chance at the title by the bookmakers. Most of the tournament will be played without any New Zealand internationals as they will be touring South Africa for much of the tournament.

2026 NPC Odds


Team
Odds
Canterbury3.50
Taranaki5.50
Tasman5.50
Otago6.50
Bay of Plenty7.50
Wellington11.00
Hawkes Bay11.00
Auckland13.00
Waikato21.00
Counties Manukau26.00
North Harbour81.00
Northland81.00
Manawatu126.00
Southland201.00
Odds correct as of 22 July 2026 with bet365
ralph-staniforth
Ralph Staniforth

Sports Editor • 15+ Years of Experience, South African Sports Specialist

Ralph is from South Africa and studied Sports Science post school at ETA (Education Teachers Academy) in Cape Town. 


He has always had a great passion for sport and this led him into the world of sports journalism, while coaching on the side. Since 2012 Ralph has worked as a journalist and covered many topics from business to sport. 

Over the last seven years he has interviewed numerous top rugby and cricket players and coaches in South Africa. 

Ralph has been betting on sports for the last ten years. He’s knowledgeable on numerous topics including football, rugby, cricket, tennis and golf. 


He supports Manchester United (football), Cheetahs (rugby), Knights (cricket) and has a newly found appreciation for Dominic Thiem on the tennis courts.

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