Super Rugby Pacific has confirmed a refreshed 2027 competition structure, featuring an extended regular season and a new-look Finals Series.
Chiefs whānau can look forward to more rugby, more intensity, and more high-stakes moments in 2027, with Super Rugby Pacific confirming an expanded competition structure for the new season.
The 2027 DHL Super Rugby Pacific season will kick off on Friday 12 February, with the competition’s ten teams set to compete across an extended 17-week regular season.
The additional week, combined with a reduction in byes from two to one, will see each team play 16 regular season matches, two more than in 2026.
The 2027 Finals Series has also been refreshed, with the top six teams on the ladder still qualifying for finals. Teams finishing first and second will earn a week off and progress directly to host home Semi-Finals. Teams ranked third and fourth will host sudden-death Elimination Finals against the teams finishing fifth and sixth respectively, with the winners progressing to the Semi-Finals as the away teams.
The 2027 Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final will be played on Saturday 26 June.
Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley said the updated format had been designed to make the most of the 20-week competition window while creating a more compelling Finals Series.
Chiefs Rugby CEO Simon Graafhuis is looking ahead to the revised competition with positivity
“It’s exciting to see a new structure and simplified finals format that aligns with fan-centric thinking. We’re looking forward to being able to provide even more opportunities for our communities, partners and wider Chiefs whānau to connect with each other and the team.”
Further details regarding the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific draw will be announced in the coming weeks.
2027 Super Rugby Pacific Finals Series
Week One — Elimination Finals
3 v 6
4 v 5
Week Two — Semi-Finals
1 v lowest-seeded Elimination Final winner
2 v highest-seeded Elimination Final winner
Week Three — Grand Final
Highest-seeded Semi-Final winner v lowest-seeded Semi-Final winner
