The draw for the 2026 DHL Super Rugby Pacific season is locked in. Hosting six home games at FMG Stadium Waikato, seven on the road, and one at Super Round, the Gallagher Chiefs will be looking at going one better than 2025 and bringing the trophy home to Hamilton. With key playmaker Damian McKenzie and Captain Luke Jacobson eyeing huge milestones, the 30th year of Super Rugby is shaping up to be a momentus season for the club.
Primetime Clashes
Featuring home games against all their local rivals, the first and last three games of the 16 round format showcase battles against the Blues, Crusaders and Highlanders.
Round 1 sees the battle of the Bombays commence with the team heading up State Highway One, with the Blues heading back down the motorway in Round 16 to round out the regular season. Forsyth Barr will host Round 2 under the roof, with FMG Stadium Waikato hosting the Highlanders in Round 14.
A rematch with last year’s champions is on the cards in Round 3 with the first home game of the season vs the Crusaders under prime-time Saturday night lights. The teams will meet again in Round 15 in Ōtautahi for a second visit in 2026 to the new One NZ Stadium. The previously announced Round 11 Super Round will see 10 of the 11 Super teams converge on one field, where the Gallagher Chiefs will take on the Fijian Drua in a rare Sunday fixture looking for revenge after last year’s loss in Lautoka.
road trips and rivalries
Before taking a bye in Round 5, the boys will host Moana Pasifika in Hamilton, giving new signing Kyren Taumoefolau the chance to run out against his old team for the first time. Rounds 6 and 7 will see a road trip to Australia to be hosted by the Brumbies in Canberra, and the Western Force in Perth. This trip in 2024 saw back-to-back wins for the team which they will look to repeat. On their return to Aotearoa, the Chiefs will host the Sydney based Waratahs Easter Saturday, followed by an away game vs Moana Pasifika at an unconfirmed location.
The Hurricanes will return to Chiefs Country for 2026 which is set to be a blockbuster NZ derby to end the school holidays. The team’s second and well-deserved bye will take place in Round 12 after Super Round, followed by another trip to Australia to take on the Reds.
The final three rounds will see the boys take on the Highlanders, Crusaders, and Blues before the playoff series which has had a refresh from 2025. Changes to the lucky loser will ensure there’s even more at stake during finals, with number one seed being shifted to 4th if suffering a loss in qualifying.
milestones on the horizon
On top of an epic lineup of games, Chiefs Country could see some huge milestones this season:
- Fan favourite Damian McKenzie who currently stands with 140 caps is closing in on becoming just the third player to reach 150 games in Chiefs colours, joining club royalty – Sam Cane and Liam Messam
- Captain Luke Jacobson is just 8 matches away from hitting a century of appearances adding to the growing list of centurions for the club
- A multitude of players are tracking towards hitting 50 games in 2026 further highlighting the experience and depth the squad has built
- Jono Gibbes will be looking to cement his style in what will be his first season as head coach with the team
Thirty years of Chiefs Rugby also brings with it a commemorative logo – detailed here – as the club looks to look back, pay respects and celebrate the rich history of players, whānau and fans.
With six home games confirmed at FMG Stadium Waikato, fans can take their seat in history for all home fixtures at FMG Stadium Waikato with a 2026 Membership and get access to all the extra benefits of being a loyal member.
Find out more here
