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Sky Sport celebrates 30 years of Super Rugby
Sky Sport has revealed its 2026 Super Rugby Pacific content plans as the competition marks 30 years since its 1996 launch.
The 2026 season also marks three decades of Sky as Super Rugby’s home, broadcasting every era, champion and key moment to fans across Aotearoa.
Sky Sport will once again deliver live coverage of every match of Super Rugby Pacific 2026, with the season starting on February 13 when the Highlanders host the Crusaders.
All-star lineup
Calling the shots in the commentary box this season will be Jeff McTainsh, Rikki Swannell, Grant Nisbett, Andrew Mulligan and Tony Johnson.
They will be joined by Super Rugby legends such as Mils Muliaina, Justin Marshall, Stephen Donald and James Parsons. Keeping viewers informed via the sidelines will be Jeff Wilson, Ben Castle, Joey Wheeler and Taylah Johnson.
The presenter squad is also match fit, with familiar faces Kirstie Stanway, Laura McGoldrick, Kimberlee Ritchie, Joey Wheeler and Taylor Curtis. Some additional names keeping them company include Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Colin Slade, Christian Cullen and Lima Sopoaga.
Acknowledge both the past and future
Gary Burchett, Sky Sport’s head of content, says Super Rugby Pacific’s 30th anniversary is an opportunity to acknowledge both the competition’s past and its importance to the future of the game.
“Super Rugby has been part of the fabric of Sky Sport since day one. For three decades, we’ve had the privilege of telling its stories – the brilliance, the heartbreak, the triumphs – and delivering them into the homes, hearts and screens of fans across Aotearoa.
“Our 2026 coverage is about celebrating that legacy while continuing to invest in world‑class production and coverage that reflects how fans want to watch rugby today,” says Burchett.
Boosts coverage for fans
Sky will cover live matches with a 35-minute pre-match show (key games extended to an hour), plus half-time and post-match analysis, including reactions, panels, dressing room interviews and fan polls.
Sky will also expand its digital and social‑first Super Rugby content, supported by a digital video team producing highlights, reactive moments and bespoke content.
The Breakdown returns on Sunday, February 8 at 7:30 pm on Sky Sport 1, with Jeff Wilson, Mils Muliaina, Justin Marshall and Kirstie Stanway. During the week, Crowd Goes Wild and Rugby Nation will keep viewers updated across Sky’s platforms.
Sky will broadcast a Friday night 7 pm Super Rugby Pacific match free-to-air each week on Sky Open. The channel is now also available on the free-to-air ThreeNow app, giving more viewers access to Super Rugby.
