ACT & SNSW Rugby Union is thrilled to officially reveal the 2026 ACT Premier Rugby draw, sparking the countdown to a season of top-level rugby across every grade.
The hunt for glory begins in April as Canberra’s elite clubs prepare for a high-intensity, 17-round campaign. At the top-level, the six clubs will test their skills against each other three times throughout the regular season, showcasing the talent and depth of the capital's best.
The energy will build all the way to a spectacular Grand Final day on August 29.
Reflecting on the historic conclusion to last season, ACT & SNSW Rugby Union Head of Competitions and Rugby Services, Mathew Vowles, noted the standard of play has reached new heights.
"Watching the Uni-Norths Owls lift the John I Dent Cup last year was a massive moment for the Canberra rugby community," said Vowles.
"It was incredibly exciting to see the club claim their first Cup since becoming a merged entity."
The defending champion Owls will launch the season with a blockbuster clash against the Queanbeyan Whites in Round 1. However, the most anticipated date on the calendar falls in Round 5, when the Owls fly back to Viking Park, a Grand Final rematch against the Tuggeranong Vikings.
All eyes remain on Owls Head Coach Lachie Creighton’s team as they aim to build on their historic success.
The excitement extends to the BentSpoke Premier 15s, where the Wests Lionesses are coming off a season for the record books. After an almost flawless 2025 — marred only by a single forfeit — the Lionesses enter the 2026 season as the team to beat.
"Witnessing the dominance of the Wests Lionesses and seeing them claim their maiden title after an unbelievable regular season run was another highlight of the 2025 season,” Vowels added.
"We are seeing a real shift in the landscape, as the quality of the Premier 15s continues to be a direct stepping stone to the Super W program we have here in the ACT."
A marquee Round 3 matchup awaits as the Lionesses face off against their 2025 Grand Final rivals, the Uni-Norths Owls women.
This fixture carries even more prestige this year, serving as the opening match for the Podiatry Professionals Cup (formerly the Sole-X Cup).
With a flurry of off-season moves, including new head coaching appointments and fresh talent across the clubs, the 2026 season is shaping up to be one of the most entertaining and competitive in Premier Rugby history.
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