The Western Force will compete in a new competition, Super Rugby Next Gen, featuring rising stars from the four Australian Super Rugby clubs which will launch in early 2026.
Scheduled across three weekends in February, the fixtures will support the development of the clubs' emerging talent while feeding directly into the Australia U20 program.
While the competition is predominantly focused on the U20 age group, to promote competitiveness and broader player development goals, clubs will also be permitted to field players over the age of 20 in 2026.
Super Rugby Next Gen will strategically replace Super Rugby U19, which was previously held later in the calendar year.
In 2026 the Australia U20s will contest The Rugby Championship U20 in April before heading to Georgia for the World Rugby U20 Championship in June.
All Super Rugby Next Gen fixtures will be livestreamed on the rugby.com.au YouTube channel, with additional broadcast channels to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
General Manager Men's High Performance and Competitions Ben Whitaker said: "From a high performance perspective, Super Rugby Next Gen is an opportunity for the best emerging talent in our Super Rugby programs to test themselves ahead of another big year for the Australia U20s and Super Rugby clubs.
"It is designed to compliment the Super Rugby pathways competitions we have had in place over the last four years.
"While it is a relatively short competition, we believe its position in the calendar will help drive positive outcomes for the national U20 program, while unearthing new talent for our Super Rugby clubs to tap into through the year.
"The Super Rugby clubs perform an important and effective role in developing this tier of talent and Next Gen will further support this great work.
"We hope Next Gen also excites rugby fans across the country, who will be able to check out some of the future Wallabies making their way through the national pathway."
2026 SUPER RUGBY NEXT GEN FIXTURES
ROUND 1
NSW Waratahs v Western Force - Sat 7 Feb - Sydney
ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds - Sun 8 Feb - Canberra
ROUND 2
Western Force v ACT Brumbies - Sat 14 Feb - Perth
Queensland Reds v NSW Waratahs - Sun 15 Feb - Brisbane
ROUND 3
Western Force v Queensland Reds - Sat 21 Feb/Sun 22 Feb - Perth
NSW Waratahs v ACT Brumbies - Sun 22 Feb - Sydney
