Super Rugby Pacific has confirmed a revamped structure for 2027, featuring an expanded regular season and a tweaked finals system.
The competition, set to kick off on February 12, will revert to a 17-round regular season, with teams playing two more games than last year.
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The new format means fewer byes, with teams having just one across the regular season.
This will be followed by a new-look finals system that sees the top two sides automatically qualify for the semi-finals, with teams ranked third and fourth hosting sudden-death elimination finals.
The winners will progress as away teams for the following week's fixtures, with the top-ranked team set to face the lowest-ranked qualifier.
The Grand Final will then be held on Saturday, June 26, hosted by the top-ranked qualifier.
"We’re delighted to have developed a structure that pushes the limits of our competition window to deliver more games and give every fan more opportunities to see their favourite teams in action," Super Rugby Pacific CEO Jack Mesley said.
"At the same time our new-look Finals Series ensures teams will be more desperate than ever to finish in the top two to secure a week off, and the top four to host a home Final, while every Finals game will be a genuine do-or-die contest on the road to the championship.
A key feature of next year's season will be the Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup Test, with teams set to be named following round nine.
The competition also confirmed this would come in place of Super Round, following its success in Christchurch in April.
Further details surrounding the draw and what will happen during this period will be announced in the coming weeks.
"The introduction of the Anzac Bledisloe to our calendar will help ensure every match means more, with Test jerseys up for grabs from the moment we kick off in February," Mesley added.
"Off the back of the success of Super Round in 2026, we are working diligently to confirm it remains an integral part of our calendar next year.
“We’re already looking forward to the storylines, drama and excitement that this new structure will help deliver for Super Rugby Pacific in 2027."
It comes as the competition reverts to a ten-team competition following Moana Pasifika's exit at the end of the 2026 season.
3 vs. 6
4 vs. 5
1 vs. lowest-seeded EF winner
2 vs. highest-seeded EF winner
Highest-seeded SF winner vs. Lowest-seeded SF winner
