Family-friendly afternoon games in summer will feature for Super Rugby Trans-Tasman champion Blues in Super Rugby Pacific 2022.

Three of the seven home games for the Blues will be afternoon kick-offs, including the opening game at Eden Park against exciting competition newcomers, the Fijian Drua on Saturday 19 February. 

The Blues are planning an exciting day of entertainment to mark the opening of the season, before the highly anticipated Drua debut, coming into the competition with confident expectations and typical Fijian flamboyance.

One of the home games, against the Hurricanes on 27 March, will be a Sunday afternoon kick-off, in a response to feedback from Blues fans.

“The Blues are delighted to have a bunch of our games with afternoon kick-offs,” said Blues CEO, Andrew Hore. “We received tremendous support from families over the last two seasons in particular, and they have told us that afternoon games offer the best opportunity for families to be part of our club. 

“Our fans love Sunday fixtures and we have managed to move one of our games to a Sunday to give fans what they want. The game will be against one of our strongest rivals, the Hurricanes on the last weekend of daylight savings which is a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon with your family. 

“Our afternoon games are designed with families in mind and our operations team have plenty of surprises for our youngest fans.

“What’s more, we have very affordable memberships for whanau to all get involved in what is going to be an exciting and challenging competition of the Pacific.” 

Six home games have been confirmed for Eden Park with the Blues still in planning to play one home game out of Auckland.

The new Super Rugby Pacific format sees New Zealand teams playing two other Kiwi teams once and two of them twice. 

Later in the Super Rugby season the games move to 7.05pm kick-offs, which will finish around 8.30pm, to work in with club rugby throughout the region.

The Blues membership caters for all fans including families to take advantage of the afternoon matches.  The Whanau Membership allows families (two adults and 2 Rookies) to enjoy match day seated together all season.

Full season membership for all six home games in Auckland are priced from $358, including a merchandise pack for each member, special Blues events and discounts on merchandise. Children will be able to take part in pre-match fun skills activities at Eden Park.

If fans are looking for an ideal Christmas gift, then either of the all-in memberships purchased before Christmas will place them in the draw for a Golden Ticket experience at a home game that includes behind-the-scenes access, watching the game on the sideline and having lunch with team members at Blues HQ.

The Blues draw for 2022 is (Times NZT):

Round 1, Saturday Feb 19: vs Fijian Drua, home (Eden Park, 4.35pm)

Round 2, Sunday Feb 27: vs Highlanders, Away 

Round 3, Saturday Mar 5: vs Rebels, Home (Venue TBC)

Round 4, Sunday Mar 13: vs Waratahs, Away

Round 5, Sunday Mar 20: vs Crusaders, Away

Round 6, Sunday Mar 27: vs Hurricanes, home (Eden Park, 3.35pm)

Round 7, Saturday Apr 2: vs Moana Pasifika, home (Eden Park 7.05pm)

Round 8, Saturday April 9: vs Chiefs, away

Round 9: Bye

Round 10, Friday Apr 22: vs Western Force, away

Round 11, Saturday Apr 30: vs Highlanders, home (Eden Park, 7.05pm)

Round 12: Saturday 7 May: vs Chiefs, home (Eden Park, 7.05pm)

Round 13, Saturday 14 May: vs Moana Pasifika, away

Round 14, Friday 20 May: vs Reds, home (Eden Park, 7.05pm)

Round 15, Friday 27 May: vs Brumbies, away.