Heilala Festival 2025: Rugby league joins weeklong celebration

The iconic Heilala Festival, held every July to celebrate Tonga’s cultural heritage and the monarch’s birthday, attracts local residents and international visitors eager to participate.

Traditionally, it features pageants, parades, and communal gatherings that promote national pride and solidarity. Over the years, the festival has grown to include various activities such as concerts and culinary showcases.

This year is the 44th celebration of the Heilala Festival, and it will introduce the Heilala Rugby League tournament, a collaboration between the Tonga Rugby League and Tourism Tonga.

The tournament, scheduled from 3-5 July, will host men’s, women’s, and under-18 teams and close with a highly anticipated concert.

Speaking to John Pulu on PMN Tonga, Tavaka Fangupō of Tonga Rugby League says the tournament aims to provide a “unique blend of sport, culture, and entertainment”.

Fangupō says sports, especially rugby league, have played a huge part in Tonga’s Tourism, highlighted by players and teams like Mate Ma’a Tonga’s loose forward Jason Taumalolo.

“We just thought that the game is growing here, everyone is always excited to play the game, so we thought ‘how about we introduce this game as part of the Heilala event’?” Fangupō says.

“Where we can invite clubs and teams from not just domestically but overseas. It's also very exciting for our local clubs and teams who want to participate.”

Fangupō says they have received more than 10 inquiries from overseas teams interested in joining, which is very encouraging.

“It's a first-time event. Hopefully, we plan to do this on an annual basis, working together with the Heilala Festival committee and the Ministry of Tourism.”

Watch Tavaka Fangupō's full interview below.

Spotlighting hidden talents

Fangupō sees the tournament as an excellent opportunity to showcase young talent from Tonga and beyond, especially for those who may not typically have the chance to shine.

“Obviously, we have a lot of teams here, young youth, boys and girls, who don't get those opportunities to showcase their exciting festival.

“It would be almost like an international event. It’s fantastic. Thank you to all the partners who really made this happen.”

Reflecting on his experience in Fiji last year, where they held a successful 9s tournament for the past few years, Fangupō believes Tonga can replicate that model effectively.

“We celebrate it every year, and that concept is great, where they work with their tourism, and I just thought Tonga can do the same.”

Young Tongan rugby league fans show their support for their Mate Ma'a Tonga team in Auckland. Photo/file

How to register

Fangupō is preparing information booklets for interested clubs and teams, detailing how to participate and register.

“That outlines registrations and what they need to do to get themselves over here to Tonga.”

For now, those interested have been reaching out via email for information on participation.

Fangupō encourages potential participants to reach out via the provided contact email.

He also assists teams with recommendations for local hotels, transportation, and other arrangements to ensure a smooth experience in Tonga.

For more information on tournament and team registration, click here.