The 2025 ACT Premier Rugby draws have been unveiled ahead of the Bentspoke John Dent Cup’s 87th year, while the women’s competition enters a new era, with the Goulburn Dirty Reds rejoining the Bentspoke Premier 15s.
The coming season will once again see six John I Dent Cup sides battling it out each week, having three opportunities to take on each side as they did in 2024. The competition will boast a 17 round regular season with two byes for each side before finals commence on the 16th of August.
Kicking off the season with a bang, the defending premiers in the Canberra Royals will revisit their Grand Final competitors as the Tuggeranong Vikings will undoubtedly be looking for an early taste of revenge. As if the clash didn’t have enough rivalry behind it, the fixture is also the first Bob Hitchcock Territory Shield clash of 2025, with Tuggeranong defending the silverware at Viking Park in Round 1.
Meanwhile a seven-team format for the women has returned, paving the way for reignited rivalries and a familiar powerhouse making their way down the Federal Highway.
Following their consistent strength in the Women’s 10s competition including a 2024 title, the Goulburn Dirty Reds shape as formidable competitors in their return to ACT Premier Rugby.
Reflecting the length of the John I Dent Cup, the Premier 15s will also be played across 17 rounds before rolling into a three-week finals series.
Round 5 will host the long awaited Grand Final rematch for the women, as the Uni-Norths Owls will once again visit Viking Park, looking to right the wrongs of their 2024 defeat in the big dance.
ACT & SNSW Rugby Union Competitions and Rugby Services Manager Mathew Vowles says he is excited to cement the draw for another blockbuster season.
“Every year is an exciting year for ACT Premier Rugby, though it’s great to see Premier 15s getting another boost through the return of Goulburn after a three year absence,” said Vowles.
“Collectively we’ve worked really hard to align the competition draws across the grades so that premier clubs will not be split across venues each weekend.”
ACT’s Premier Rugby action will be available to view through BarTV in 2025.
Season start: 12th of April
Qualification and Elimination Semi-Finals: 16-17th of August
Preliminary Finals: 23rd of August
Grand Finals: 30th of August
See full season fixtures below.
