ACT Brumbies fans will need sunscreen instead of beanies for a triple treat of summer games to start next season, and the club will meet with Fox Sports in the hope of securing two more fan-friendly timeslots.
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The Super Rugby draw was published on Tuesday, with the Brumbies to start their season with home games against the Queensland Reds (January 31), Melbourne Rebels (February 7) and the Otago Highlanders (February 15).
They are also in negotiations to shift a game to Manuka Oval for 25th season celebrations in May, although costs could prevent the change in venue.
Brumbies chief executive Phil Thomson has been pushing for better game times for Canberra fans after a post-season survey showed supporters wanted earlier timeslots.
The Brumbies had requested 2pm kick-offs for afternoon games against the NSW Waratahs and Argentina Jaguares, but broadcaster Fox Sports refused and has instead scheduled both for 4.05pm.
Crowds have dropped across all Super Rugby teams in recent years and the Brumbies have been at record-low numbers in the past two seasons.
Two day games will be a welcome break from night-time rugby in winter months, but the Brumbies will meet with Fox Sports to discuss a two-hour shift to benefit crowd numbers and television support.
"Our request for the 2pm games was knocked back and we're disappointed about that," said Brumbies chief executive Phil Thomson.
"To have two Sunday games is always good. There's a good mixture for our fans and having an earlier kick-off time for night matches as well is a good change."
Super Rugby will start in January next year for the first time in the competition's history, with the Brumbies to play the Reds on January 31.
Kick-off times on Friday and Saturday nights have been shifted forward from 7.45pm to 7.15pm and a move to Manuka to play a South African opponent will add a heritage feel to the season.
The Brumbies have met with the government about shifting away from the 25,000-seat Canberra Stadium to play the Cape Town Stormers at Manuka on May 9.
The benefits of moving to Manuka would be a throwback to the inaugural Super Rugby season in 1996 and playing at a smaller venue against an opponent which traditionally draws smaller crowds.
But the AFL has first rights to use Manuka Oval for GWS Giants games and there would be additional costs to get the venue ready for rugby use.
"We're exploring the possibility of moving that game to Manuka, we thought it would be a good opportunity to take a game back there after we played the Sharks there in 1996," Thomson said.
"It would be great to try to get a game at Manuka Oval next year and we'll continue working to see if that can happen."
The Brumbies' marquee match will be the afternoon clash against the Waratahs on March 15.
They will avoid playing against the defending champion Canterbury Crusaders until the finals if both teams make it that far.
The Brumbies will spend two weeks in South Africa to play the Durban Sharks and Pretoria Bulls, while the regular season will finish with a game against the Japan Sunwolves on May 29.
The season has been moved forward to the earliest start in Super Rugby history to scrap a mid-season break for Test matches.
The season structure will change again in 2021 when a new broadcast deal is done and the Sunwolves are axed from Super Rugby.
The Brumbies are hoping to re-engage with their fan base next year and will host a fan forum on Wednesday night to discuss potential ticket, membership and name changes.
The Brumbies will likely officially reintroduce the ACT to their name from 2021 after an overwhelming response from supporters and membership packages are expected to change.
BRUMBIES 2020 DRAW
January 31: ACT Brumbies v Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium, 7.15pm.
February 7: ACT Brumbies v Melbourne Rebels at Canberra Stadium, 7.15pm.
February 15: ACT Brumbies v Otago Highlanders at Canberra Stadium, 7.15pm.
February 22: Waikato Chiefs v ACT Brumbies at Hamilton, 5.05pm.
March 8: Japan Sunwolves v ACT Brumbies at Osaka, 3.15pm.
March 15: ACT Brumbies v NSW Waratahs at Canberra Stadium, 4.05pm.
March 21: Auckland Blues v ACT Brumbies at Eden Park, 5.35pm.
March 27: Queensland Reds v ACT Brumbies at Brisbane, 7.15pm.
April 4: ACT Brumbies v Wellington Hurricanes at Canberra Stadium, 7.15pm.
April 12: ACT Brumbies v Argentina Jaguares at Canberra Stadium, 4.05pm.
April 25: Durban Sharks v ACT Brumbies at Durban, 10.05pm.
May 3: Pretoria Bulls v ACT Brumbies at Pretoria, 1.45am.
May 9: ACT Brumbies v Cape Town Stormers at TBC, 7.15pm.
May 15: Melbourne Rebels v ACT Brumbies at Melbourne, 7.15pm.
May 23: NSW Waratahs v ACT Brumbies at Parramatta, 7.15pm.
May 29: ACT Brumbies v Japan Sunwolves at Canberra Stadium, 7.15pm.
June 6: Week one finals
June 13: Week two finals
June 20: Grand final
