The Chiefs are a professional rugby union club based in Hamilton, New Zealand. Their primary home ground is FMG Stadium Waikato. The men's team, the Gallagher Chiefs, plays in Super Rugby Pacific, one of the five New Zealand teams in the competition. The club operates as Chiefs Rugby Club Limited Partnership.
History
The Chiefs Rugby Club was founded in 1996 for the inaugural Super 12 season and was at first known as the Waikato Chiefs.
Six provincial unions make up "Chiefs Country"; Ngāti Porou East Coast rugby union joined the Chiefs' provincial union whānau (family) in 2025, and the club has seven regions.
Honours
In 2013 the Chiefs became, by the club's count, the fourth team ever to win back-to-back titles.
Ground
The Chiefs' primary home ground is FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton. The club's headquarters, Chiefs HQ, is at 10 Bisley Road, Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton 3214.
Teams and training
The club fields three main teams: the Gallagher Chiefs in DHL Super Rugby Pacific, the Chiefs Manawa in Sky Super Rugby Aupiki, and an age-group team, the University of Waikato Chiefs U20s. Its development team, the Chiefs Taua, plays against other Super Rugby clubs.
Club life
The club puts fostering relationships and a sense of belonging at its heart.