More rugby, more rivalries: Crusaders reveal 2027 Super Rugby Pacific draw
The countdown to the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season is officially on, with the full competition draw now confirmed and plenty for Crusaders fans to get excited about.
The new-look 2027 season will deliver more rugby, more rivalry matchups and even more opportunities to be a part of the Crusaders match day experience and feel what it means to get behind the Crusaders.
In 2027 Super Rugby Pacific is introducing an expanded 17-week regular season format which sees us play 7 home games, 8 away games and a Super Round fixture at One New Zealand Stadium.
Head Coach Scott Hansen says there's plenty to look forward to as attention turns towards the 2027 campaign.
"There's a lot to be excited about. Seeing the season draw gives us all the opportunity to look forward, plan, prepare and build towards what promises to be a really exciting year for our club and our young, talented squad.
"2026 had such a positive, ambitious and energetic feel at every home game thanks to our amazing supporters. Opening the season against the Reds, a team and organisation we have genuine respect for, here at our home gives us an immediate challenge and something for our players and supporters to really look forward to as we start our 2027 Crusade together."
The action begins on Friday 12 February, when the Crusaders welcome the Queensland Reds to Christchurch.
Four out of our first five games are at home against the Reds, Hurricanes, Chiefs and Highlanders.
Our first away game is in Round 3 against the Blues at Eden Park, then Round 6 sees us travel to Wellington to take on the 2026 championship winning Hurricanes.
We’re back home for Easter Weekend to face the Blues on Good Friday – so stay local for the long weekend to catch all the action.
Then comes Super Round – which is back in Christchurch for another year. This year we take on the Brumbies on Friday 2 April at 7.35pm.
We then head across the ditch to face the Waratahs and the Force for Rounds 9 & 10 before a well-earned bye over ANZAC weekend.
Hansen says the introduction of the inaugural Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup fixture within the Super Rugby season adds another unique dimension to next year's competition.
"There is also a bigger picture to the season with the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia on the horizon. It's going to be a great year for any rugby fan, bring it on."
Following the bye week, we have two home fixtures in 6 rounds – so Crusaders fans, you have two last opportunities in Round 14 and 16 to get behind us.
We head to Hamilton to take on the Chiefs for Round 12 before heading back across the ditch to face the Brumbies in Canberra.
After a decent stint on the road, we return home to face the Waratahs on Saturday 15 May for Round 14.
Round 15 sees us travel back to Fiji to play the Drua, before returning home to play the Force on Friday May 28.
The final round robin fixture sees us head to Dunedin for a southern derby against the Highlanders over King’s Birthday weekend.
The revised competition structure for 2027 will see all ten teams play 16 matches during the regular season, with only one bye week across the campaign.
There will also be added incentive during the opening half of the season, with squads for the inaugural Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup Test to be named following Round 9. That means every performance across the opening two months could play a crucial role in national team selection.
The Finals Series has also received a major overhaul. While six teams will still qualify for the playoffs, finishing inside the top two now comes with a significant reward. The top two teams will receive a direct path to the Semi-finals and a week off during the opening week of the Finals.
Teams finishing third and fourth will host sudden-death Elimination Finals against the fifth and sixth-ranked sides, with the winners advancing to face the top two qualifiers. Every Finals match will be a knockout contest on the road to the championship decider, scheduled for Saturday 26 June.
Now we have our schedule locked in, all that’s missing is you. The support of our Crusaders whanau means everything to us, and this season would mean nothing without you.
We'd love for you to come and be a part of our story and keep adding to the red and black legacy. Whether you're a 30-year Member, in town visiting, have never seen a game of rugby in your life, or are only coming for the half-time entertainment and the hot chips, you belong here.
Hansen says reconnecting with supporters and creating memorable experiences together will be a major focus throughout 2027.
"We want to make 2027 a season our people, our supporters and our players can really get behind and enjoy together. It's a great time to be a Crusader.
"A new season. A young and exciting Crusaders team. Great rivalries. New challenges. And a lot to play for. We can't wait to have you with us."
Come and join us for 2027, we'd love to have you on the journey with us.
Crusaders 2027 Super Rugby Pacific Fixtures
Round 1, HOME – Friday 12 February
Crusaders v Reds, 7.35pm, One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
Round 2, HOME – Friday 19 February
Crusaders v Hurricanes, 7.35pm, One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
Round 3, AWAY – Sunday 28 February
Blues v Crusaders, 4.00pm, Eden Park, Auckland
Round 4, HOME – Saturday 6 March
Crusaders v Chiefs, 7.05pm, One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
Round 5, HOME – Friday 12 March
Crusaders v Highlanders, 7.35pm, One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
Round 6, AWAY – Friday 19 March
Hurricanes v Crusaders, 7.35pm, Hnry Stadium, Wellington
Round 7, HOME - EASTER WEEKEND – Friday 26 March
Crusaders v Blues, 7.35pm, One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
Round 8 - SUPER ROUND – Friday 2 April
Crusaders v Brumbies, 7.35pm, One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
Round 9, AWAY – Sunday 11 April
Waratahs v Crusaders, 4.00pm, Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Round 10, AWAY – Saturday 17 April
Force v Crusaders, 9.35pm, HBF Park, Perth
Round 11 - ANZAC WEEKEND AND BLEDISLOE CUP – Bye
Round 12, AWAY – Saturday 1 May
Chiefs v Crusaders, 4.35pm, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Round 13, AWAY – Friday 7 May
Brumbies v Crusaders, 9.45pm, GIO Stadium, Canberra
Round 14, HOME – Saturday 15 May
Crusaders v Waratahs, 7.05pm, One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
Round 15, AWAY – Friday 21 May
Fijian Drua v Crusaders, 7.35pm, Fiji (venue TBC)
Round 16, HOME – Friday 28 May
Crusaders v Force, 7.35pm, One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
Round 17, AWAY – Saturday 5 June
Highlanders v Crusaders, 7.05pm, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin