Super Rugby Draw Confirmed

The 2027 Super Rugby Pacific draw has been revealed, headlined by more Sunday fixtures, an Easter weekend chock-full of footy, an Anzac weekend blockbuster in Brisbane and Super Round making its heralded return to Christchurch.

The expanded 17-round, 80-game regular season kicks off on Friday 12 February with the Crusaders hosting the Queensland Reds at One New Zealand Stadium, before the ACT Brumbies and NSW Waratahs renew their rivalry in Canberra later that evening.

The opening round continues Saturday with the Fijian Drua facing the Highlanders, the reigning champion Hurricanes kicking off their title defence against the Blues at Eden Park, and the Western Force welcoming the Chiefs to Perth.

The schedule includes ten Sunday games – six more than last season – and a full competition round of five fixtures across the Easter weekend.

As announced last week, Super Round returns to Christchurch in Round 8, with the hometown heroes Crusaders opening the highly anticipated footy festival with a Friday night showdown against the ACT Brumbies.

While eight teams take the bye in Round 11, the Reds and Blues will add another chapter to their burgeoning Anzac weekend tradition, taking the field at Suncorp Stadium on the eve of the inaugural Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup Test.

“We’re delighted to deliver a 2027 draw that gives fans more to look forward to than ever before - Sunday footy, an epic Easter weekend, Super Round back in Christchurch and a history-making Anzac weekend in Brisbane,” Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley said.

“Every team begins the season with a clear ambition to win the title. But the stakes will be even higher next year, with the opening half of the season shaping as a shootout for Test jerseys ahead of the inaugural Anzac Bledisloe and the Rugby World Cup coming sharply into view beyond it.

“Throw in all the traditional and emerging rivalries, and a new Finals Series where every game is sudden death, and there will be more at stake in every Super Rugby Pacific fixture, from the opening whistle through to the Grand Final.

“Over the last three seasons our competition has experienced growth across all key metrics and we’re confident that we’ve delivered a fan-focused draw for 2027 that will continue to build on that positive momentum.”

The top six teams at the end of the 2027 regular season will contest a revamped three-week Finals Series, with the top two progressing directly to the Semi-Finals and teams ranked third and fourth hosting sudden-death Elimination Finals.

The 2027 Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final will be played on Saturday 26 June.