The Super Rugby Pacific Qualifying Final fixtures have been confirmed, with the Crusaders overtaking the Blues to claim third spot on the ladder in the last round of the regular season.
The table-topping Hurricanes will kick off the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific Finals Series when they host the ACT Brumbies at Hnry Stadium on Friday 5 June.
It comes after the Brumbies lost to Moana Pasifika to finish their regular season.
The action continues at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch on Saturday afternoon, where the defending champion Crusaders will face the Blues.
The Chiefs will wrap up the Qualifying Finals with a Saturday night showdown against the Queensland Reds at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton.
The three winning teams in the Qualifying Finals will progress to the Semi-Finals along with the highest-ranked losing team (the 'lucky loser').
In a variation from last season, in 2026 the 'lucky loser' will be relegated to the lowest seeding for the Semi-Finals and as such forego any chance to host the Semi-Final or the Grand Final, should they progress.
FINALS SERIES WEEK ONE - QUALIFYING FINALS
FRIDAY 5 JUNE
7.05pm NZST / 5.05pm AEST - Hurricanes (1) vs. ACT Brumbies (6) - Hnry Stadium, Wellington
SATURDAY 6 JUNE
4.35pm NZST / 2.35pm AEST - Crusaders (3) vs. Blues (4) - One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch
7.05pm NZST / 5.05pm AEST - Chiefs (2) vs. Queensland Reds (5) - FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
