SANZAR's new Super Rugby competition format will increase the number of matches in most seasons by a third from 94 to 125.
There'll be a three-conference format for the 15 teams with home and away matches between local rivals then inter-conference games and a new, six-team finals series.
SANZAR's chief executive designate, Greg Peters, says it'll mean more local derbies, intense cross-conference competition and a guaranteed home final for each of the conference winners.
In non-World Cup years there'll be a 24 week season, up from 16, and in World Cup years it'll be 21 weeks.
The 18 week competition starts on February 18 with the Hurricanes hosting the Highlanders, and the three week finals series starts in late June.
