The Blues head into the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season as one of the competition’s most established franchises, based in Auckland and playing their home matches at New Zealand's national Rugby stadium, Eden Park. 

With a listed capacity of 50,000, Eden Park remains a central part of the club’s identity and a consistent backdrop for some of the league’s most significant fixtures. 

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The Blues’ place in Super Rugby history is well-defined, with championship titles in 1996, 1997, 2003, 2021 and 2024.

The 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season reinforced both the Blues’ competitiveness and the fine margins that defined the middle of the standings. Over 14 matches, the Blues finished with a 6-8 record and accumulated 33 points, placing sixth in the final table. 

That finish was enough to keep them in the postseason picture, where their campaign ultimately ended as losing semifinalists. While the record reflected an uneven regular season, the Blues remained firmly involved in the race through the latter stages of the competition.

Entering 2026, the Blues again turn to continuity and experience. The squad is led by captain Patrick Tuipulotu, with the club’s structure centered around its Auckland base and long-standing home venue. 

With a full regular-season schedule ahead, and familiar opponents across Super Rugby Pacific, the Blues’ season will be shaped by how effectively they convert that foundation into consistent results.

Blues Super Rugby Pacific Schedule

• Feb. 14: 1:05 a.m.: Blues vs. Chiefs
• Feb. 21: 3:35 a.m.: Western Force vs. Blues
• Feb. 28: 3:35 a.m.: ACT Brumbies vs. Blues
• March 7: 1:05 a.m.: Blues vs. Crusaders
• March 14: 10:35 p.m.: Blues vs. Moana Pasifika
• March 21: 4:35 a.m.: NSW Waratahs vs. Blues
• March 28: 2:05 a.m.: Blues vs. Fijian Drua
• April 11: 3:05 a.m.: Hurricanes vs. Blues
• April 17: 3:05 a.m.: Blues vs. Highlanders
• April 25: 3:35 a.m.: Blues vs. Queensland Reds
• May 2: 3:05 a.m.: Moana Pasifika vs. Blues
• May 8: 3:05 a.m.: Crusaders vs. Blues
• May 16: 3:05 a.m.: Blues vs. Hurricanes
• May 30: 3:05 a.m.: Chiefs vs. Blues

Blues Rugby Roster 2026

The Blues roster remains largely intact, highlighted by the return of center Pita Ahki and the additions of Bradley Slater, Malachi Wrampling and James Cameron as the squad prepares for the 2026 season.

What Did Blues Do In 2025?

The Blues finished sixth in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific standings with a 6-8 record and 33 points. They qualified for the postseason and advanced to the semifinals, where their season ended as losing semifinalists.

2025 Super Rugby Pacific Standings

1. Chiefs, 11–3 (51 points)
2. Crusaders, 11–3 (49 points)
3. ACT Brumbies, 9–5 (44 points)
4. Hurricanes, 8–1–5 (39 points)
5. Queensland Reds, 8–6 (38 points)
6. Blues, 6–8 (33 points)
7. Moana Pasifika, 6–8 (28 points)
8. NSW Waratahs, 6–8 (26 points)
9. Western Force, 4–1–9 (23 points)
10. Fijian Drua, 4–10 (20 points)
11. Highlanders, 3–11 (20 points)

The Blues Coach Is Vern Cotter

Vern Cotter is the head coach of the Blues, leading the Auckland-based side into the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season. He became the head coach in 2024 and won the Super Rugby title in his first year. This is the final year of his two-year deal with the Blues.

When Does The Super Rugby Pacific Season Start?

The 30th season of Super Rugby begins with Round 1 on Feb. 13, with the first game being in Dunedin between the Highlanders and Crusaders at 1:05 a.m. ET. 

Watch The Super Rugby Pacific 2025 Archives On FloRugby

Rewatch every match of the 2025 Super Rugby season on FloRugby and the FloSports app. 

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