The six New Zealand-based Super Rugby Pacific squads will relocate to the town to mitigate against the risk of Covid-19.
The squads will operate in separate bubbles with exclusive use of training facilities in the Queenstown area.
The day games will be played in Queenstown and teams will bus to and from Rugby Park in Invercargill for night matches.
NZR general manager of professional rugby and performance Chris Lendrum said the move would provide the best chance of the inaugural season of SPR starting as scheduled on February 18.
“Under current Covid-19 regulations it would only take one positive case entering a squad environment to shut down an entire squad for 10 days," he said.
“By moving the teams to a secure hub, we believe we have a good chance of preventing a Covid-19 infection, or close contact event, sidelining one of our teams for a prolonged period."
The Blues, Hurricanes, Moana Pasifika, and Chiefs will fly to Queenstown on charter flights, while the Crusaders and Highlanders, who meet in a preseason game in Weston, near Oamaru, tomorrow, will bus south this weekend.
Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark said that it was too early to add up the cost to the franchise.
"All I can say is, for every business it is challenging," Mr Clark said.
"But we’re forever hopeful and we hope by the time we get through these next four weeks we will be able to get back to playing games at Forsyth Barr Stadium and play out the rest of our season here.
"That is what will help us limit the damage, but that is out of our control.
"Under the Red level we are still in a situation where we can’t have crowds, but we will be able to look after some members and sponsors."
Mr Lendrum stressed the move to Queenstown was a temporary measure.
“We are committed to bringing the teams home in early March regardless of the Covid-19 landscape."
It is a boon for the struggling resort town. Queenstown Mayor Jim Boult said he was "over the moon" about it.
"It’s great from an economic point of view, but as a rugby tragic as well, I couldn’t be happier about it."
- Staff reporters
