The National Rugby League (NRL) has today announced the draw for the 2024 Pacific Championships to be played in four countries across four consecutive weekends in October and November.
In a major development, the 2024 edition will see the introduction of promotion and relegation with the winner of the Men's and Women's Pacific Bowls to play off against the third-placed Pacific Cup nations for a place in their respective 2025 Pacific Cup pools.
Fiji will host Pacific Championship matches for the first time as the event expands further into the Pacific in 2024, with Port Moresby's Santos Stadium to once again host matches alongside Brisbane, Christchurch, Auckland and Sydney.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said the introduction of promotion and relegation adds extra significance to each contest following the success of the maiden Pacific Championships in 2023.
"The 2024 Pacific Championships will be the biggest sporting event in the region," Mr Abdo said.
"This year we have raised the stakes by adding promotion and relegation across the men's and women's tournaments so there is a great deal at stake in the Pacific Championships."
Abdo said the 2024 Pacific Championships will once again serve as a reminder of the cultural significance of Rugby League within Pasifika communities.
"As the Pacific's largest sport, Rugby League is fast becoming the language that unifies the region.
"The Pacific Championships is a powerful showcase and celebration of culture, connecting passionate Rugby League fans in each host city and nation into one pulsating sporting community.
"Fans will have the opportunity to experience the unique colour and atmosphere that the Pacific Championships brings with each venue hosting double-header match days to create a carnival atmosphere with local and visiting supporters."
Tournament details
The 2024 Men's tournament will once again feature two divisions with top ranked nations Australia, New Zealand and Tonga to contest the Cup while Fiji, Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Cook Islands will face-off for the Bowl.
An expanded 2024 Women's tournament will include four weeks of Cup and Bowl matches, with the Bowl to serve as a Rugby League World Cup 2026 qualifying event.
The Women's Cup division includes top ranked Australia, New Zealand and PNG, with Fiji, Tonga, Cook Islands and Samoa to contest the Bowl.
Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium will host a Men's and Women's Cup double-header to kick-off the 2024 Pacific Championships on Friday, October 18.
Fiji will host consecutive double-headers on Saturday October 19 and October 26 featuring Men's and Women's Bowl fixtures, while the PNG capital Port Moresby will welcome a Women's Cup - Men's Bowl double-header on Sunday, November 3.
New Zealand will host its first double-header clash on Sunday, October 27 at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch, followed by another double-header at Auckland's Go Media Stadium for the final pool match of the Men's Cup and the Women's Bowl decider on Saturday, November 2.
The 2024 Pacific Championships will culminate with a quadruple-header at Sydney's CommBank Stadium on Sunday, November 10 headlined by the Men's and Women's Cup Finals.
Queensland Minister for Tourism and Sport, Michael Healy said: "It is terrific that Brisbane gets the honour of hosting the opening round of this year's Pacific Championships, with a ripping men's and women's cup double-header, at the best rectangular stadium in the world Suncorp Stadium.
"Queensland is the ultimate destination for major NRL events, and we know an expected full house at the cauldron will create an amazing atmosphere, all while injecting an expected $7 million into the local visitor economy.
"As we continue to pave the green and gold runway toward the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Queensland further enhances its reputation as the premier destination for hosting world-class events that bring people together."
The 2024 Pacific Championships is proudly supported by the NSW Government's tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
The Pacific Bowl is proudly supported by the Australian Government through PacificAus Sports.
PacificAus Sports creates opportunities for Australian and Pacific athletes to learn, train, play, and grow together.
Tickets start at just $25 for adults and $50 for families via nrl.com/tickets.
NRL Club Members will have the first opportunity to purchase tickets from 11am AEST today (Friday 30 August), followed by NRL Account Holders from 2pm AEST. Tickets will be available to the general public from 4pm AEST today.
Hospitality packages for Pacific Championships matches in Brisbane and Sydney are available via nrl.com/hospitality.
2024 Pacific Championships Draw
Pacific Cup - Men
Fri 18 Oct Australia v Tonga Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Sun 27 Oct New Zealand v Australia Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Sat 2 Nov New Zealand v Tonga Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Sun 10 Nov Final CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Pacific Cup - Women
Fri 18 Oct Australia v PNG Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Sun 27 Oct New Zealand v Australia Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Sun 3 Nov PNG v New Zealand Santos Stadium, Port Moresby
Sun 10 Nov Final CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Pacific Bowl - Men
Sat 19 Oct Fiji v PNG Fiji
Sat 26 Oct Fiji v Cook Islands Fiji
Sun 3 Nov PNG v Cook Islands Santos Stadium, Port Moresby
Sun 10 Nov Promotion/Relegation Playoff CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Pacific Bowl - Women
Sat 19 Oct Tonga v Samoa Fiji
Sat 26 Oct Fiji v Cook Islands Fiji
Sat 2 Nov Final Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Sun 10 Nov Promotion/Relegation Playoff Commbank Stadium, Sydney
View the full draw online: nrl.com/pacific-championships
