Dan Carter and Richie McCaw both name the world’s best rugby stadium – it’s not Eden Park

Saturday, 15 August 2026 at 08:08

byRugby Rucker

All Blacks legends Dan Carter and Richie McCaw played at virtually every iconic rugby ground on the planet – and they both agree on the stadium that deserves to sit at number one.

The New Zealand greats enjoyed some of the biggest moments of their careers at Eden Park, helping turn Auckland into an almost impenetrable fortress during their era.

However, when it comes to the best places to play rugby, Eden Park isn't their pick.

Carter has described our number one as his favourite stadium in the world, while McCaw has also ranked it among his favourite places to play Test rugby.

So where does Eden Park rank – and which stadium beats it to top spot?

Here are 10 of the greatest rugby stadiums in the world, ranked from 10 to one.

10. Stade Marcel-Michelin – Clermont-Ferrand, France

Capacity might not rival some of the giants on this list, but atmosphere certainly does.

Clermont supporters have helped turn the Marcel-Michelin into one of European club rugby's great fortresses.

9. Aviva Stadium – Dublin, Ireland

Built on the historic site of Lansdowne Road, the Aviva has witnessed some of Ireland's greatest modern victories.

Its distinctive design and passionate home support make Dublin one of the toughest destinations in Test rugby.

8. Murrayfield – Edinburgh, Scotland

Few pre-match experiences compare with hearing

Flower of Scotland echo around Murrayfield.

With more than 67,000 supporters packed in for Scotland's biggest Six Nations clashes, Edinburgh can produce a special atmosphere.

7. Stade de France – Paris, France

The setting for countless huge Tests and World Cup encounters.

France's national stadium has hosted some of rugby's biggest occasions and remains one of the sport's most recognisable venues.

6. Loftus Versfeld – Pretoria, South Africa

Altitude, passionate support and decades of rugby history.

Loftus remains one of the most intimidating places for a touring side to visit, particularly when the Springboks or Bulls are in full flow.

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5. Twickenham – London, England

The traditional home of English rugby remains one of the biggest dedicated rugby stadiums in the world.

More than 80,000 supporters can pack into the ground for England's biggest Tests, creating a serious sense of occasion.

4. Cape Town Stadium – Cape Town, South Africa

Few rugby venues can compete with Cape Town when it comes to location.

Sitting close to the Atlantic coastline and beneath the shadow of Table Mountain, it provides one of the most spectacular backdrops in the sport.

3. Ellis Park – Johannesburg, South Africa

Forever associated with one of rugby's defining moments.

Nelson Mandela famously presented Francois Pienaar with the Webb Ellis Cup here following South Africa's victory over New Zealand in the 1995 World Cup final.

It's also staged countless brutal Springboks-All Blacks encounters since.

POLL:

2. Eden Park – Auckland, New Zealand

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the countdown.

The spiritual home of New Zealand rugby has hosted two Rugby World Cup finals and became synonymous with the All Blacks' extraordinary unbeaten record in Auckland.

Carter and McCaw enjoyed some of the greatest moments of their careers there – but even Eden Park couldn't take their number-one spot.

1. Principality Stadium – Cardiff, Wales

Cardiff takes the crown.

When Carter was asked to name his favourite stadium during the 2015 Rugby World Cup, the legendary All Blacks fly-half said:

“I always say the Millennium.”

He added:

“It’s an amazing place with an awesome atmosphere.”

Carter has also described the Welsh venue as “probably my favourite stadium in the world.”

And long-time All Blacks captain McCaw clearly shares his appreciation for the ground.

Speaking about the Millennium Stadium in 2009, McCaw said:

“It’s one of my favourite places to play rugby.”

The double World Cup-winning skipper later called Cardiff “one of the great places to play Test rugby”, with an atmosphere “among the best I have experienced.”

Between them, Carter and McCaw won two Rugby World Cups together and played Test rugby at virtually every major venue on the planet.

Yet it's Cardiff that earned some of the highest praise from both All Blacks icons.

The 20 Highest-Paid Rugby Players in the World in 2026

World rugby’s financial landscape has changed dramatically over the past year.

Several players who previously dominated rugby’s rich list have moved on from lucrative overseas contracts. Richie Mo’unga has left Japan, Owen Farrell has returned to Saracens, while Cheslin Kolbe, Faf de Klerk and Beauden Barrett are no longer collecting their former Japan Rugby League One salaries.

This ranking therefore uses current contracts as of July 2026, rather than outdated deals or future earning potential. It focuses primarily on estimated club salaries and recognised national-contract top-ups, while excluding sponsorship and endorsement income.

Exact figures are rarely disclosed, particularly in Japan and South Africa, so every amount should be treated as an informed estimate rather than a confirmed salary.

20. Manie Libbok – Hanazono Kintetsu Liners

Estimated salary: £500,000 per year

Libbok secured the biggest contract of his career by moving from the Stormers to Japan. The Springbok fly-half’s creativity, pace and attacking instincts make him one of the Liners’ headline overseas signings.

19. Louis Bielle-Biarrey (Bordeaux-Bègles)

Estimated salary: £500,000–£600,000

The reigning World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year has become one of the sport's biggest stars. Bordeaux-Bègles moved quickly to secure the winger on an improved long-term contract after his remarkable rise, making him one of the best-paid young players in world rugby.

18. George Ford – Sale Sharks

Estimated salary: £500,000–£550,000 per year

Ford remains one of the PREM’s best-paid playmakers. The England fly-half is central to Sale’s ambitions and commands a premium because of his tactical control, experience and elite goal-kicking.

17. Marcus Smith – Harlequins

Estimated salary: £500,000–£550,000 per year

The face of Harlequins continues to be one of English rugby’s most marketable players. Smith’s club contract, combined with his England enhanced deal, places him close to the global top 20.

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16. Lood de Jager – Saitama Wild Knights

Estimated salary: £525,000–£600,000 per year

The towering Springbok lock remains a highly prized figure in Japan. His lineout expertise, physicality and vast Test experience make him one of Saitama’s most important overseas players.

15. Owen Farrell (Saracens)

Estimated salary: £600,000–£685,000 per year

Farrell remains one of rugby's biggest earners despite returning to Saracens after just one season in France. His Racing 92 deal was reported to be worth around £685,000 per year, and although his current contract is believed to be lower, the England great is still among the Premiership's highest-paid players

14. Matthieu Jalibert – Bordeaux-Bègles

Estimated salary: £550,000–£600,000 per year

One of the Top 14’s premier fly-halves, Jalibert is among the small group of players in France earning around or above €600,000 annually. His attacking ability and importance to Bordeaux justify his position among the game’s leading earners.

13. Grégory Alldritt – La Rochelle

Estimated salary: £550,000–£600,000 per year

The France back-rower has been one of La Rochelle’s defining players during their rise into a European powerhouse. French salary research has consistently placed Alldritt among the Top 14’s biggest earners.

12. Will Skelton – La Rochelle

Estimated salary: £550,000–£600,000 per year

Skelton’s enormous influence at club level has made him one of the most valuable forwards in Europe. The giant Wallabies lock is another La Rochelle star believed to earn at least €600,000 per season.

11. Jesse Kriel – Yokohama Canon Eagles

Estimated salary: £600,000–£650,000 per year

Kriel has established himself as one of Japan’s leading overseas centres. A double World Cup winner and senior Springbok, his reliability, defensive quality and leadership give him considerable market value.

10. Malcolm Marx – Kubota Spears

Estimated salary: £600,000–£675,000 per year

Widely regarded as one of the finest hookers in world rugby, Marx remains a marquee name in Japan. Available estimates place his Kubota package at around $750,000 to $850,000 annually.

9. Pieter-Steph du Toit – Toyota Verblitz

Estimated salary: £625,000–£675,000 per year

The two-time World Rugby Player of the Year commands one of the largest forward contracts in Japan. Du Toit’s reported package is close to $800,000 per season.

8. Handré Pollard – Vodacom Bulls

Estimated salary: £650,000 per year

Pollard returned to Pretoria on one of the biggest contracts in South African rugby history. His package reportedly combines his Bulls salary with SA Rugby support and additional commercial agreements, keeping his earnings close to what he received at Leicester.

7. Damian de Allende – Saitama Wild Knights

Estimated salary: £700,000–£775,000 per year

De Allende is believed to be the highest-paid Springbok currently playing in Japan. Estimates place his contract at between $900,000 and $1 million, reflecting his status as a double World Cup winner and one of the game’s leading centres.

6. Eben Etzebeth – Hollywoodbets Sharks

Estimated package: £750,000–£800,000 per year

The Springboks’ record cap-holder is one of the central figures in the Sharks’ star-studded squad. His overall package is thought to combine club earnings, SA Rugby support and commercial arrangements.

5. Siya Kolisi – Hollywoodbets Sharks

Estimated package: £775,000–£825,000 per year

Kolisi’s value extends far beyond his performances on the field. The double World Cup-winning captain remains one of rugby’s most commercially powerful figures, while his Sharks and national arrangements place him among the sport’s biggest earners.

4. Maro Itoje – Saracens

Estimated total package: £800,000–£950,000 per year

Itoje remains England’s leading earner. His overall package includes his Saracens contract and an RFU enhanced agreement, although the exact combined value has never been formally disclosed. The RFU element alone has previously been reported at around £150,000 to £160,000 annually.

3. Finn Russell – Bath Rugby

Estimated salary: £900,000–£1 million per year

Russell joined Bath on one of the largest contracts in PREM history and has since extended his stay until June 2028. His original agreement was widely reported at approximately £900,000 to £1 million annually.

2. Romain Ntamack – Toulouse

Estimated total package: £900,000–£1 million per year

Ntamack’s long-term importance to Toulouse has placed him among the club’s most valuable assets. His overall package is understood to include salary and image-rights arrangements, although there is no reliable public confirmation of an exact seven-figure basic wage.

For that reason, his placement carries more uncertainty than Russell’s or Dupont’s.

1. Antoine Dupont – Toulouse

Estimated package: approximately £1.2 million per year

Dupont signed a remarkable extension keeping him at Toulouse until 2031. The financial details were not officially disclosed, but the agreement has been widely reported as making the France captain the highest-paid rugby player in the world.

The scrum-half’s value is unparalleled in the modern gam

Quiz: Name these 10 retro rugby players

From jaw-dropping tries to unforgettable moments (and yes, some questionable haircuts), these players defined a golden era of the game. If their names don’t instantly come to mind, we suggest a quick trip to YouTube to jog your memory. Trust us, it’s worth it.

Ready to test your knowledge? Let’s see if you’ve still got it. Good luck!