Suva — The 2026 Cricket Fiji Easter Tournament kicked off this morning at Albert Park, Suva, with 14 teams taking the field in a competition Cricket Fiji says will showcase the country’s grassroots talent. Play began at 8am as squads from Suva, Nadi and a string of outer‑island communities converged on the capital for a weekend of cricket.
Organisers have split the field into two tiers to balance competition. Tier One features two pools of four teams: Pool One contains Suva Warriors, Moce, Lakeba One and Kabara Two, while Pool Two is made up of Kabara One, Nadi, Ono‑i‑Lau and Lakeba Two. Tier Two comprises two smaller pools of three teams each — Pool One with Suva Crusaders, Namuka and Cicia, and Pool Two including Komo, Vulaga and Lakeba Three.
Cricket Fiji Chief Executive Officer Sitiveni Rokoro used the tournament launch to urge fans and local communities to turn out and support the players. Rokoro said the event is an important platform for uncovering and developing cricketing talent beyond the main centres and called on supporters “to witness grassroots cricket at its best.” His appeal underlined organisers’ aim to raise the tournament’s profile and give promising island players greater exposure.
The mix of teams this year highlights the competition’s reach into Fiji’s outer islands and smaller provinces. Several entries carry island names — Lakeba, Kabara, Ono‑i‑Lau, Cicia, Komo and Vulaga — reflecting efforts by Cricket Fiji and local clubs to broaden participation and keep pathways open for players outside urban clubs. Tournament organisers say the tiered format is designed to provide competitive but equitable matches for teams at different stages of development.
Albert Park will host the round‑robin pool matches as teams vie for places in the next phases of the tournament. With multiple fixtures scheduled from early morning, fans will be able to follow a full slate of games across the grounds. Organisers have encouraged family groups and community supporters to attend throughout the day to lend vocal backing to the island sides.
This year’s Easter Tournament comes as part of Cricket Fiji’s continued focus on strengthening domestic structures and widening talent identification. Rokoro’s public appeal for attendance forms part of a broader push to generate local interest and support grassroots programs, which officials say are crucial for feeding provincial and national squads.
Officials did not release a full match schedule or finals dates in the initial briefing, but confirmed that play will continue across the Albert Park venue with results and further announcements to follow as the tournament progresses.
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