Senior club rugby will adopt a new format for the 2016 season.
This year the 10 premier teams played two full rounds for a total of 18 round-robin games.
But the Metropolitan Rugby Council (MRC) yesterday confirmed the clubs have voted for a format which will see 16 round-robin games played.
The playoff format will be retained.
The competition will begin on March 24 - the Thursday before Easter - and conclude with the final on July 23.
All games from week two on will be played on Saturdays.
Each team will miss out on playing one team per round and that opponent will be different in each round.
So, for example, if Southern does not play University A in round one the teams will definitely play in round two.
MRC chairman Gary Wheeler said the changes had been introduced to meet the clubs' desire to have the best players available for the playoffs.
That meant the tournament had to be finished by July 24 when the Otago players become unavailable.
''After consultation with all the clubs it became clear they wanted to have their best players available for the finals,'' Wheeler said in a press release.
''They also wanted the majority of the games played on Saturday afternoons. We think we have reached a format that benefits clubs and all their teams.
''The format also gives Otago head coach Cory Brown and his team the best opportunity to prepare for the ITM Cup.''
Brown has given the format his seal of approval.
''The format looks great. It will give players plenty of opportunities to impress the coaching staff.
''I believe our club competition is one of the strongest in New Zealand and the standard of rugby is exceptional, especially come finals time.
''Players in our squad want to represent their club and would love nothing more than to win a banner at the end of the competition.''
The clubs had been torn on whether to drop a game from each round but Otago and Dunedin hooker Sam Anderson-Heather felt the right decision had been reached.
He said it was important the younger players got to test themselves against Otago players.
''It also ensures the integrity of our competition. Winning the banner is a special experience and should be earned by beating the best.''
The draw will be released early next week.
