Significant changes are on the horizon for Super Rugby Pacific in the upcoming season, featuring a longer 16-round regular season, Sunday afternoon matches, and a more competitive six-team finals system.
The 2025 season is set to kick off on Friday, February 14, a week earlier than usual, to accommodate the additional round of Super Rugby Pacific action.
The new schedule will include family-friendly Sunday afternoon fixtures, including three games, with plans to potentially increase Sunday games in the future.
Key features of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific format include:
– A total of 11 competing teams: ACT Brumbies, Blues, Chiefs, Crusaders, Fijian Drua, Highlanders, Hurricanes, Moana Pasifika, NSW Waratahs, Queensland Reds, and Western Force.
– Each team will play 14 regular season matches, consisting of seven home and seven away games, with two byes.
– Teams will face four rivals twice to enhance competitive matchups while playing the remaining six teams once.
– The top six teams in the standings at the conclusion of the regular season will qualify for a three-week Finals Series.
– The first week of the Finals will see Qualifying Finals of 1 vs. 6, 2 vs. 5, and 3 vs. 4, hosted by the higher-seeded teams.
– Three winners from the Qualifying Finals will advance to the Semi-Finals, alongside the highest-seeded losing team, known as the ‘lucky loser.’
– The Semi-Finals will feature 1 vs. 4 and 2 vs. 3, with home advantage for the top-seeded teams.
– The winners of the Semi-Finals will meet in the Grand Final, which will also be hosted by the higher-seeded team.
Jack Mesley, CEO of Super Rugby Pacific, expressed enthusiasm about the new structure, emphasizing a focus on enhancing the fan experience. He noted that the introduction of Sunday afternoon games would make it more accessible for families to enjoy the excitement of Super Rugby Pacific, and he hinted at plans to expand this feature in future seasons. Mesley also highlighted the excitement surrounding the revamped Finals Series, designed to foster competitive matchups and reward top-performing teams.