Back in business.

Super Rugby Aotearoa will always rugby spectators to attend their games this weekend in a world-first with New Zealand moving to Alert Level 1.

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) have this morning confirmed that the doors will be open to Forsyth Barr Stadium this weekend with the Highlanders and Chiefs set to kick things off in the inaugural New Zealand only club competition. NZR has confirmed there will be no limit on crowd numbers

Auckland’s Eden Park will also welcome in fans for the Blues’ much-awaited match against the Hurricanes on Sunday with Beauden Barrett set to come up against the Canes for the first time since moving to their rivals.

There is also another tweak that will come as a huge boost to northern hemisphere fans with Saturday games moved from 7.05pm local time from 5.05pm. This means games will now kick off just after 8am rather than 6am on Saturday mornings with Sky Sports set to broadcast the competition.

NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinson welcomed the news, with tickets to Highlanders-Chiefs game and the Blues-Hurricanes game at Eden Park on Sunday going on sale on soon.

“It is a testament to all New Zealanders that we are in a position to lift restrictions on mass gatherings and it’s a massive boost for Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa,” Robinson said.

“We’re incredibly proud, and grateful, to be the first professional sports competition in the world to be in a position to have our teams play in front of their fans again. It’s going to be a very special and unique competition and it’s fitting that New Zealanders now have a chance to be part of it.”

Highlanders CEO Roger Clark had initially hoped to get fans back in August, but New Zealand’s success against the crisis means that they can return well ahead of schedule, giving the new Super Rugby Aotearoa competition a huge boost.

Clark said the tournament promised to mark a “special occasion”.

“The world will be watching, and we will be ready to put on a show,” Clark said.

Our players, coaches and staff have been working overtime to get Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa ready and to now be able to share the competition with our members and our fans will be a very special occasion.”