The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua is set to deliver an exhilarating rugby season in 2026 as the team gears up for another year in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific competition, marking its 30th anniversary. This will be the Drua’s fifth season in the league, and fans can look forward to witnessing encounters against some of rugby’s premier teams right on Fijian soil.
Highlighting this season’s roster is the return of big-name teams including Moana Pasifika, the ACT Brumbies, the Hurricanes, the Queensland Reds, the Western Force, the Highlanders, and the New South Wales Waratahs. The Highlanders’ return to Fiji is particularly exciting, as this will be their first visit since 2022 when they narrowly beat the Drua in a thrilling 27-24 match.
One of the significant milestones for the 2026 season is the historic fixture on March 14 where Ba will host its first-ever Super Rugby Pacific match. The newly redeveloped Four R Stadium will play host as the Drua take on the Brumbies. Formerly known as Govind Park, the venue now boasts a 9,000-seat grandstand and modern facilities, setting the stage for significant international attention and enhancing Ba’s reputation as Fiji’s football heartland.
Drua General Manager Commercial Shane Hussein expressed enthusiasm about bringing a Super Rugby match to the fans in Ba, highlighting the stadium’s capacity to offer affordable seating options.
The Drua’s 2026 campaign kicks off at Churchill Park in Lautoka on February 14 against Moana Pasifika. This will be followed by an away game in Sydney against the Waratahs on February 20. The team’s season schedule also lists home matches against teams like the Hurricanes, Reds, Force, Highlanders, and Waratahs, with additional international away games including a unique “Super Round” in Christchurch on April 26, where five matches will take place across one weekend at One NZ Stadium.
Organizers have announced five of the Drua’s seven home venues, with the remaining details soon to follow. The season also sees the introduction of an enhanced finals format, introducing a “lucky loser” who will proceed as the fourth seed after the Qualifying Finals but will play all subsequent matches away.
The 2026 season reflects the Drua’s expanded approach, bringing high-caliber rugby closer to more fans as they continue to spread rugby’s footprint across Fiji. This season is not only a sporting event but also a cultural showcase, fostering community engagement and anticipation across the nation.
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