State rivalries renewed as Super Rugby AUS and U16 schedules confirmed

Rugby Australia have confirmed the draws for the 2026 Super Rugby AUS and Super Rugby U16 campaigns, with the NSW Waratahs looking to go back-to-back after taking out both inaugural titles last October.

The second edition of Super Rugby AUS gets underway on September 12, with the Queensland Reds hosting the Western Force at Brisbane’s Ballymore Stadium. The Waratahs kick off their title defence the next day, facing the ACT Brumbies in Bungendore.

Rugby fans in the country Queensland town of Roma will get to see two fierce state rivals clash in the first match of round two. The Reds host the Waratahs at Fox Gallas Park on September 19, while the Force have their first home match of the competition the following day.

It’s the only regular season match at home for the Force, who host the travelling Brumbies at North Coast Rugby Club at 1:30 pm on the Sunday. The next week, the Force conclude their round-robin away to the Waratahs at Sydney’s Pittwater Rugby Park.

The Brumbies and Reds will meet at Canberra’s Viking Park on Sunday, September 27, kicking off at 2:00 pm local time. That is the final fixture in the three-round regular season, before the Grand Final between the top two sides on Saturday, October 3.

In Super Rugby U16, Victoria are the home side in the season opener, taking on the ACT Brumbies at a TBC Melbourne ground on Saturday, September 19. Victoria’s other ‘home’ match is against the Queensland Reds, but will be played at Canberra’s Viking Park.

That’s because, as part of a new model for 2026, the Reds, Force and Victoria squads will assemble for camps while they take part in consecutive matches in the nation’s capital.

Defending champions the Waratahs face the Brumbies at the Canberra venue on September 26, before facing the Western Force and Victoria. They round out the regular season against arch-rivals Queensland on October 10 in Brisbane.

There will be no finals for Super Rugby U16, with the seaosn champion to be determined by regular season standings.

2026 Super Rugby AUS schedule

Round 1

Queensland Reds v Western Force – 1.30pm, Saturday 12 September – Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane

ACT Brumbies v NSW Waratahs – 2pm, Sunday 13 September – Bungendore Sports Hub, Bungendore

Round 2

Queensland Reds v NSW Waratahs – 5.45pm, Saturday 19 September – Fox Gallas Park, Roma

Western Force v ACT Brumbies – 1.30pm, Sunday 20 September – North Coast Rugby Club, Perth

Round 3

NSW Waratahs v Western Force – 1pm, Sunday 27 September – Pittwater Rugby Park, Sydney

ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds – 2pm, Sunday 27 September – Viking Park, Canberra

Grand Final

1 v 2 – Saturday 3 October – TBC

2026 Super Rugby U16 schedule

Victoria v ACT Brumbies – 12.30pm, Saturday 19 September – TBC, Melbourne

ACT Brumbies v NSW Waratahs – 1pm, Saturday 26 September – Viking Park, Canberra

Western Force v Queensland Reds – 2.45pm, Saturday 26 September – Viking Park, Canberra

Victoria v Queensland Reds – 1pm, Tuesday 29 September – Viking Park, Canberra

NSW Waratahs v Western Force – 3pm, Tuesday 29 September – TBC, Sydney

Queensland Reds v ACT Brumbies – 12pm, Saturday 3 October – Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane

Western Force v Victoria – 3pm, Saturday 3 October – Viking Park, Canberra

Western Force v ACT Brumbies – 11.30am, Tuesday 6 October – Viking Park, Canberra

NSW Waratahs v Victoria – 2pm, Tuesday 6 October – TBC, Sydney

Queensland Reds v NSW Waratahs – 1.30pm, Saturday 10 October – Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane