Debutants and derbies headline the start of milestone Super Rugby Pacific season

The countdown to the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season is finally over as the clubs kick-off celebrations of 30 years of Super Rugby this weekend.

With retro jerseys being unveiled, club legends coming together and a remarkable 22 players named to make their Super Rugby Pacific debuts, there are no shortage of storylines and an abundance of reasons for fans to get to a game or tune in.

Kids under the age of 13 receive free entry as the Highlanders open the season with a showdown against their biggest rivals – the defending champion Crusaders – in Dunedin on Friday, with fans welcomed to the field after full-time.

While the younger supporters make the most of the free entertainment in the Kids Zone, the bigger kids will be letting loose in The Zoo, on what is sure to be an unforgettable night at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

The action then shifts to Sydney where the NSW Waratahs will don their 1996 Heritage Jersey and celebrate players from their first season of Super Rugby as they tackle bitter rivals the Queensland Reds for the Bob Templeton Cup.

The $19.96 burger, chips and drink combo deal on offer at Allianz Stadium will no doubt be a popular choice amongst the NSW junior rugby players, who receive free entry to all Waratahs games this season.

There’ll be an explosive start to Saturday with the Battle of the Pacific between the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika in Lautoka, with Miss Pacific Islands contestants bringing some glamour to the occasion at Churchill Park.

The 90s vibes will then be back with a vengeance in Auckland as the Blues debut a jersey design against the Chiefs that pays homage to the competition’s inaugural champions.

Those Blues heroes of 1996 will be special guests at Eden Park for the Battle of the Bombays and help form a guard of honour for the teams, while the fans experience the club’s new gameday soundtrack composed by local artist Kings.

The Western Force met the ACT Brumbies in their first-ever game of Super Rugby, and 20 years and five days later, the two sides will again lock horns in Perth.

Despite some Valentine’s Day themed entertainment at HBF Park, there will be no love lost on the field, as the Force alumni assemble to cheer their team on and close out the opening round.

Fixtures (All times local - home team)

Friday

Highlanders v Crusaders @ Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin (7.05pm)

NSW Waratahs v Queensland Reds @ Allianz Stadium, Sydney (7.35pm)

Saturday

Fijian Drua v Moana Pasifika @ Churchill Park, Lautoka (3.35pm)

Blues v Chiefs @ Eden Park, Auckland (7.05pm)

Western Force v ACT Brumbies @ HBF Park, Perth (4.35pm)

BYE: Hurricanes