The All Blacks have achieved a Grand Slam – defined as a touring national team from the Southern Hemisphere playing Tests against each of the four home nations – on just four occasions since the first of nine attempts in 1905.
A unique match against Ireland at Soldier Field in Chicago will kick off the 2025 Grand Slam schedule in a fixture dubbed the ‘Rematch’ following the team’s 2016 showdown at the same venue.
All Blacks 2025 Grand Slam schedule:
Ireland, Soldier Field, Chicago, November 2, 9am
Scotland, Murrayfield, Edinburgh, November 9, 3.10am
England, Twickenham, London, November 16, 3.10am
Wales, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, November 23, 3.10am
The Autumn Nations schedule will then see Tests against Scotland, England and Wales on consecutive weeks in what will be the first time the All Blacks have attempted a Grand Slam since the 2010 team achieved the feat under the captaincy of Richie McCaw.
The All Blacks other previous Grand Slam successes came in 1978, 2005 and 2008 and All Blacks Head Coach Scott Robertson said it presented a special opportunity for the 2025 squad.
“To play all four home nations in a Grand Slam tour is a massively exciting opportunity and, coupled with the France series at home to kick off our 2025 season, this is a great chance to test ourselves against the best of the northern hemisphere.”
The All Blacks rich history of playing against each of the home nations goes back more than 100 years to the 1905 northern tour by the team that would dubbed ‘The Originals’.
On that tour, Scotland were the first of the home nations to play the All Blacks at Inverleith in Edinburgh where the visitors won 12-7. Scotland have never beaten the All Blacks in 32 Tests since but have achieved two draws, 0-0 at Murrayfield in 1964, and 25-25 at the same venue in 1983.
Next up were Ireland, who first played the All Blacks at Landsdowne Road in Dublin, won 15-0 the tourists. The rivalry has taken on an extra edge since Ireland beat the All Blacks for the first time in 2016 at Soldier Field, with a 40-29 win. Hence the ‘Rematch’ in Chicago will be a highly anticipated fixture. In total Ireland have won five of 38 Tests against the All Blacks with one draw.
The Originals played England at Crystal Palace in London where they won 15-0. Overall the All Blacks have won 36 of the 46 Tests between the two sides with England winning eight and two draws. The most recent edition of the rivalry was a thrilling 24-22 win to the All Blacks at Twickenham in 2024.
Wales were the last of the home nations to play the Originals at Cardiff Arms Park in 1905, where the home side beat the All Blacks 3-0. Since then, Wales have won on only two other occasions, in 1935 and 1953. The teams last met in 2022 where the All Blacks won 55-23 at Millenium Stadium in Cardiff.
While not officially recognised as a Grand Slam tour, the 1995 All Blacks beat Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England at the Rugby World Cup in South Africa.
All Blacks 2025 Test schedule (All kick off times NZDT)
July Series (Tickets on sale from 26 March)
France, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, July 5, 7.05pm
France, Sky Stadium, Wellington, July 12, 7.05pm
France, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, July 19, 7.05pm
Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship (Tickets on sale from 7 May)
Argentina, TBC, August 16
Argentina, TBC, August 23
South Africa, Eden Park, Auckland, September 6, 7.05pm
South Africa, Sky Stadium, Wellington, September 13, 7.05pm
Australia, Eden Park, Auckland, September 27, 5.05pm
Australia, Optus Stadium, Perth, October 4, 6.00pm
Northern Tour
Ireland, Soldier Field, Chicago, November 2, 9.00am
Scotland, Murrayfield, Edinburgh, November 9, 3.10am
England, Allianz Stadium (Twickenham), London, November 16, 3.10am
Wales, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, November 23, 3.10am