The NRL has revealed the draw for the 2024 Pacific Championships, set to take place across four countries over four weekends in October and November.
In a new development, the tournament will introduce promotion and relegation. This means that the winners of the Men’s and Women’s Pacific Bowls will face the third-placed teams from the Pacific Cup for their chance to compete in the 2025 Pacific Cup pools.
Fiji will host matches for the first time, joining Port Moresby, Brisbane, Christchurch, Auckland, and Sydney as event venues.
The 2024 Championships will feature a Men’s division with Australia, New Zealand, and Tonga participating in the Cup, while Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and the Cook Islands will compete in the Bowl. The Women’s tournament will expand to include both Cup and Bowl divisions, with the Bowl acting as a qualifier for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup. The event will kick off at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on October 18 with a double-header, followed by matches in Fiji, Port Moresby, Christchurch, Auckland, and Sydney, with finals planned for Sydney’s CommBank Stadium on November 10.
Queensland Minister for Tourism and Sport, Michael Healy, emphasized Brisbane’s role in hosting the opening round and anticipated economic benefits.
The Championships are backed by the NSW Government’s Destination NSW and the Australian Government through PacificAus Sports.
Tickets are priced starting at $25 for adults and $50 for families, with NRL Club Members enjoying early access.