Hurricanes to open Super Rugby season against Moana Pasifika in 2026

The Hurricanes have announced their full season draw for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific campaign with a home opener against Moana Pasifika at Sky Stadium. 

However, they will wait until round two to play with a bye scheduled in round one. From there, they will travel to Lautoka for a tough away match against the Drua.

With 14 regular season matches, the Hurricanes will stage six home matches within their region, with five in Wellington. Along with Moana Pasifika, the Reds, Blues, the reigning champion Crusaders, and Highlanders visit Sky Stadium throughout the course of the campaign.

Smith on Eden Park challenge

Smith on Eden Park challenge

One further home match to be hosted at the brand-new One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch as part of Super Round. 

The venue for the home match against the Force has been listed as TBC. 

The home fixture against the Brumbies will be held in Christchurch on Anzac Day as part of Super Round between 24-26 April. The match doubles as a Captain Shout Cup clash, with the Hurricanes looking to defend the silverware after winning the inaugural contest for the trophy with a 35-29 victory over the Brumbies in Canberra last season.

The away fixtures include back-to-back international matches against the Fijian Drua at Churchill Park in Lautoka, followed by a clash against the Waratahs at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, across rounds three and four. 

Domestically, the Hurricanes will play away matches against each of the other four New Zealand teams, as well as an away game against Moana Pasifika at North Harbour Stadium in Albany.

In a season that will celebrate 30 years of Super Rugby, Hurricanes head coach Clark Laidlaw is confident in his squad’s ability to handle next year’s draw.

“It’s always an exciting time of the year to see the draw and start getting a detailed plan underway about who we’re playing,” Laidlaw said.

“A home game against Moana is a good way for us to start, and then we’ve got a couple of weeks on the road with the Fijian Drua and Waratahs. I always think it’s a good thing to be together for a couple of weeks to really try and instil your game as you get started in the season.

“We’ve got a tough run after the bye and into the playoffs, but that’ll allow us to be battle-hardened and know where we’re really at. If you’re good enough to make the playoffs, you’re certainly going to have played all the top teams, so that’s an opportunity for us to use that to our advantage. 

“I think the whole competition will be excited to go to Christchurch for Super Round. The rivalry fixture for the Captain Shout Cup with the Brumbies is something we really enjoyed starting last season, and we look forward to continuing that in 2026.”

Today’s announcement of the full competition schedule has also revealed a tweak to the six-team playoffs format, whereby the ‘Lucky Loser’ from the Qualifying Finals will now progress as the fourth seed, meaning they will play away from home in the Semi-Finals, and the Grand Final should they qualify.

Last season, the ‘Lucky Loser’ was penalised only one seeding, which saw the top-ranked Chiefs defeated in a Qualifying Final but still host a Semi-Final fixture the following weekend.

“In 2025, we saw Super Rugby Pacific take another big step forward, with more fans, more drama, and more unexpected results,” Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley said.

“That success has set the stage for an even bigger year in 2026 as we mark a milestone in Super Rugby.

“Thirty years on from the first Super Rugby season, the competition continues to deliver what makes it special – world-class players, high-octane rugby, and a connection to communities right across the Pacific.

“The 2026 draw has something for everyone. With Super Round coming to ?tautahi Christchurch and the full draw now released, it’s the perfect time for fans to start planning how they’ll be part of the action.”

Catch your Hurricanes in action next season when memberships go on sale from 1 September!

2026 Hurricanes Season Draw (all kick-off times in NZT)

Round 1: Bye
Round 2: v Moana Pasifika at Sky Stadium, Wellington – 7:05pm Friday, 20 February
Round 3: v Fijian Drua at Churchill Park, Lautoka – 4:35pm Saturday, 28 February
Round 4: v Waratahs at Allianz Stadium, Sydney – 9:35pm Friday, 6 March
Round 5: v Force at TBC Venue (home match) – 7:05pm Friday, 13 March
Round 6: v Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin – 7:05pm Friday, 20 March
Round 7: v Reds at Sky Stadium, Wellington – 4:35pm Saturday, 28 March
Round 8: Bye
Round 9: v Blues at Sky Stadium, Wellington – 7:05pm Saturday, 11 April
Round 10: v Chiefs at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton – 7:05pm Saturday, 18 April
Round 11: v Brumbies at One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch – Saturday, 25 April (TBC kick-off time)
Round 12: v Crusaders at Sky Stadium, Wellington – 7:05pm Friday, 1 May
Round 13: v Moana Pasifika at North Harbour Stadium, Albany – 7:05pm Saturday, 9 May
Round 14: v Blues at TBC Venue (Auckland) – 7:05pm Saturday, 16 May
Round 15: v Highlanders at Sky Stadium, Wellington – 7:05pm Saturday, 23 May
Round 16: v Crusaders at One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch – 7:05pm Friday, 29 May

Press release/Hurricanes