TVNZ x FIFA World Cup 2026™
The Ultimate Viewing Experience
TVNZ partnered with Uno Loco to create a premium FIFA World Cup 2026™ viewing experience for the All Whites' opening match against Iran. Hosted at Eden Park, the event brought together more than 400 guests from agencies, brand partners, FIFA stakeholders and industry leaders to celebrate football and reinforce TVNZ's position as New Zealand's home of world-class sport.
VISUAL IDENTITY | MOTION DESIGN | PRINT | EVENT MANAGEMENT | ENTERTAINMENT | TALENT | AUDIO VISUAL | REGISTRATION | TECHNICAL DIRECTION | H&S MANAGEMENT | PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT | CREATIVE EVENT DESIGN | BRAND EXPERIENCE DESIGN | STRATEGIC EVENT DESIGN | COPYWRITING
With a midday start and 1pm kick-off, the event needed to justify guests stepping away from a busy workday. The challenge was to create an event compelling enough that attending in person felt significantly more valuable than watching the match from the office or at home.
Opportunity
The opportunity was to transform a live football broadcast into an exclusive experience that built anticipation before kick-off, maintained energy throughout the afternoon and gave guests access to moments they couldn't experience anywhere else. It also needed to celebrate the FIFA World Cup while reinforcing TVNZ's position as New Zealand's biggest football fan.
Our response
We brought to life the creative platform "We Can't Wait. New Zealand's Biggest Fan." The concept positioned TVNZ as the nation's biggest supporter, transforming a football broadcast into an event guests wanted to be part of.
The experience was designed to create genuine FOMO. Every stage of the guest journey was carefully considered to build anticipation before arrival, maintain energy throughout the afternoon and give guests access to experiences they couldn't enjoy from home.
Rather than treating the match as the entire event, we built a programme around it. Entertainment, hospitality and audience engagement were carefully timed around the broadcast, with fun stadium food and beverage offerings and hosted moments, surprise experiences and giveaways maintaining momentum before kick-off, during breaks in play and after the final whistle.
Every touchpoint worked together to create a cohesive brand experience that reinforced TVNZ's position as New Zealand's biggest football fan while celebrating one of the world's biggest sporting events.
What made it special
The success of the event came from the thoughtful layering of details.
Eden Park provided the perfect backdrop. As New Zealand's most iconic sporting venue, it brought an authenticity and sense of occasion that couldn't be replicated elsewhere. Guests enjoyed experiences normally reserved for players, including walking through the player tunnel, exploring the changing rooms, stepping onto the edge of the pitch and arriving in the World Cup Lounge to watch the match.
Every touchpoint reinforced the event theme. Guests were welcomed with All Whites-style lockers with player name jerseys, while bespoke TVNZ and FIFA branding extended across bars, food stations, photo opportunities and environmental graphics. Live artist Otis Frizzell illustrated FIFA footballs and Adidas shoes throughout the event, with each piece awarded as spot prizes to guests.
The experience began well before guests arrived. Digital communications, including the "Guess the Score" competition and prize giveaways, built anticipation in the lead-up to the event and created momentum before kick-off.
Together, these carefully considered details elevated the experience beyond a traditional viewing party, creating a premium event that celebrated football, rewarded fandom and positioned TVNZ as New Zealand's biggest football fan.
