The Highlanders will not play a Super 14 game in Queenstown next year.
Highlanders chief executive Richard Reid said the match against the Reds had been tentatively scheduled for Queenstown on Easter Saturday, April 11, next year, but television requirements and a lack of matches in New Zealand for that round has scuttled Queenstown's hopes.
Reid said only two games would be played in New Zealand over Easter and Sky Television, along with the New Zealand Rugby Union, wanted those games to be played at night, where ratings were higher.
With the Queenstown Events Centre having no lights, there was no option but to abandon the idea of playing in the town.
Reid said the NZRU had briefly looked into bringing in lights to the ground, but it was added to the cost of an already expensive exercise in staging the game in Queenstown.
The union had tried to work round the issue but it was not possible.
The Highlanders first played a game in Queenstown in 2007, losing 34-38 narrowly to the Chiefs, in front of a crowd of about 11,000.
At Easter this year, the Force beat the Highlanders 36-28, with a crowd of about 8000.
There was no other suitable date to play a game in the resort town.
"That is the date they wanted. You have to play these games in the holiday season, as that is when people can come," Reid said.
"That is why they play one-day cricket in Queenstown over Christmas and New Year. They know the crowds are going to be there."
Otago Country Rugby chairman Colin Walker, of Queenstown, said it was disappointing not to have a game in Queenstown next year, considering how popular the past two games have been.
He doubted lights would be allowed at the ground, as the Queenstown Airport was close by.
Queenstown Events Centre management could not be contacted.
Reid said Invercargill would get a Super 14 game, and could possibly get two, next year, although nothing had been confirmed yet.
Invercargill did not host a game this season, but hosted the Cheetahs in 2007.
The draw had yet to be finalised but the competition was likely to start on February 20.
The Highlanders have seven home games next season, three against South African teams, Cheetahs, Stormers, and Bulls, Australian teams, Reds and Brumbies, and New Zealand sides, Crusaders and Chiefs.
