It will be a new look DHL Super Rugby Pacific competition in 2025, with the 11 teams playing seven games at home and seven away. Once again, it will have a rematch of the previous year’s final in round one, with the Gallagher Chiefs returning to Eden Park to face reigning champions, the Blues.

Two bye rounds will take place across the competition, allowing players to refresh over the 16 rounds. The Gallagher Chiefs will take their bye weeks in round seven and round 14, with six games to be played at FMG Stadium Waikato. Their home game on Anzac Day will be played at another stadium within the Chiefs region to connect with more fans beyond Hamilton.

The competition will also start a week earlier, on the 15th of February, to accommodate the longer format.

Following their opening-round clash, the Gallagher Chiefs have back-to-back home games against the 14-time champions, the Crusaders, and last year’s semi-finalists, the Brumbies.

The team will then make the trip north to play the Fijian Drua in what will likely be scorching Lautoka heat on the 8th of March.

Only five rounds in, they will take back the home advantage over the Blues to play them in Chiefs Country for the first time since the 2023 season. This will also be Kids Round, so fans can expect some exciting entertainment for their tamariki.

Round six will see the Gallagher Chiefs head to Tonga for the first time to face Moana Pasifika. This will only be the second time a game has been played in the island nation.

The Reds will make their way across the ditch for round eight, with the home side hoping to continue their 11 years of holding off the Queenslanders at FMG Stadium Waikato.

Chiefs fans will then have consecutive public holiday entertainment sorted, with the Highlanders being hosted Easter Weekend and the Western Force for Anzac Day. Both game days will acknowledge the significance that these public holidays represent.

The Gallagher Chiefs final home game of the season will be in round 15 against Moana Pasifika.

Gallagher Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan said: “We are excited about the prospects of 2025. It’s a new season and a new squad, which brings with it new opportunities.

“We have been right in the mixer the past few seasons, and know we have it in us to go that extra step. Facing the Blues in round one will be a great challenge to kick off what I anticipate will be a tighter contested competition across the board.

“I continue to say it, but I believe we have the best fans in the world. I know they will be behind us all season long once again and we look forward to having them back in the stands.”

Fans can secure their seat at all Gallagher Chiefs home games at FMG Stadium Waikato with a Chiefs Rugby Club Membership. Members will also get access to Chiefs Manawa home games played at FMG Stadium Waikato and priority purchase for the game taken to the regions.

Gallagher Chiefs 2025 Draw:
Round 1 (Away):
Blues v Gallagher Chiefs
Saturday 15 February, 7.05pm
Eden Park, Auckland

Round 2 (Home):
Gallagher Chiefs v Crusaders
Friday 21 February, 7.05pm
FMG Stadium Waikato

Round 3 – Culture Round (Home):
Gallagher Chiefs v Brumbies
Saturday 1 March, 4.35pm
FMG Stadium Waikato

Round 4 (Away):
Fijian Drua v Gallagher Chiefs
Saturday 8 March, 4.35pm
Churchill Park, Lautoka

Round 5 – Kids Round (Home):
Gallagher Chiefs v Blues
Saturday 15 March, 7.05pm
FMG Stadium Waikato

Round 6 (Away):
Moana Pasifika v Gallagher Chiefs
Friday 21 March, 7.05pm
Teufaiva Sport Stadium, Tonga

Round 7 (BYE)

Round 8 (Home):
Gallagher Chiefs v Reds
Friday 4 April, 7.05pm
FMG Stadium Waikato

Round 9 (Away):
Waratahs v Gallagher Chiefs
Friday 11 April, 9.35pm
Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Round 10 (Home):
Gallagher Chiefs v Highlanders
Saturday 19 April, 7.05pm
FMG Stadium Waikato

Round 11 – Anzac Round (Home):
Gallagher Chiefs v Western Force
Friday 25 April, 7.05pm
Location TBC

Round 12 (Away):
Hurricanes v Gallagher Chiefs
Saturday 3 May, 7.05pm
Sky Stadium, Wellington

Round 13 (Away):
Crusaders v Gallagher Chiefs
Saturday 10 May, 7.05pm
Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch

Round 14 (BYE)

Round 15 (Home):
Gallagher Chiefs v Moana Pasifika
Saturday 24 May, 7.05pm
FMG Stadium Waikato

Round 16 (Away):
Highlanders v Gallagher Chiefs
Friday 30 May, 7.05pm
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

Quarter Finals
7-8 June

Semi Finals
14-14 June

Final
Saturday 21 June