National Provincial Championship
The NPC is the second highest level of professional rugby in New Zealand - after Super Rugby Pacific.
This nationwide competition was first played in the 1976 season, after the structure was agreed by all provinces in 1975. Initially the competition had two divisions, with the division a team played in determined by a ranking system. Over the last 50 years, the competition has undergone structure changes, name changes, and format shifts. Today the competition is a single tier with 14 Provincial Unions vying for the NPC title between late July and mid-October each year.
Alongside the NPC trophy, the Ranfurly Shield is also on the line. Whoever holds the Ranfurly Shield must accept challenges from visiting teams at each home game that takes place while they are shield holders - like the JJ Stewart Trophy in the Farah Palmer Cup competition and the Bill Osborne Taonga in the Heartland Championship. This challenge system see's the Shield move around the country and is one of the most coveted titles in New Zealand rugby.
There are also challenges from Heartland Championship teams, which can result in the Shield jumping across competitions. Whoever finishes the regular season with the Shield, keeps it over the summer.
To find out more about the competition as well as the latest results and team standings, head to National Provincial Championship » Provincial Rugby
NPC teams
Participating teams are:
