Tonga rugby league ramps up bid to host 2026 Pacific Cup match

Tonga has reportedly expressed interest in hosting an exciting international rugby league match for the 2026 Pacific Cup.

The game will mark a major moment for the sport in Tonga, a nation known for its strong rugby league culture.

A small Pacific island kingdom with around 100,000 inhabitants has become pivotal to the future of the International League.

The Australian Associated Press reports that head coach Kristian Woolf supports holding the match at Teufaiva Sports Stadium in Nuku’alofa, which can accommodate 10,000 spectators.

The stadium was renovated after Cyclone Gita hit in 2018 and has been home to local rugby union and soccer teams.

The Australian government recently committed A$600 million (NZ$644 million) over 10 years to support rugby league in the Pacific.

A portion of the funding, A$290m (NZ$311m), is dedicated to creating stronger pathways for amateur players in Tonga, Sāmoa, and Fiji, which includes developing coaching programmes and training facilities.

The Tongan Rugby League believes hosting a Pacific Cup match would attract considerable attention and help the rugby league grow in the island nation.

The Pacific Championships, funded by the Australian government and the National Rugby League (NRL), will include tournaments for both men's and women's teams.

Star Tongan players like Jason Taumalolo, Isaiya Katoa, Haumole Olakau’atu, Felise Kaufusi, and Eliesa Katoa are at the forefront of this momentum, generating excitement among fans.

The ongoing popularity of teams like Tonga showcases the strong support for rugby league in the country, and bringing the match to Tonga could further elevate its status.

This year’s Pacific Cup will feature Tonga, Sāmoa, and New Zealand teams. The Tongans hope to play the Kiwis in front of a packed crowd.

The AAP also reports that Tonga would prefer to play their Sāmoa match at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta, which could also lead to a thrilling New Zealand v Sāmoa game in Auckland.

Thousands of Tongan fans celebrate their team's victory over the New Zealand Kiwis at Go Media Stadium in Auckland in the Pacific Championships rugby league match in November 2024. The Tongans hold on to win 25-24. Photo/MMT

In 2019, when Tonga defeated Australia for the first time, thousands of fans celebrated in the streets of Nuku’alofa, showing just how passionate they are about rugby league.

While Teufaiva Sports Stadium has a limit of 10,000 fans, many more would likely gather outside to celebrate the match, creating a lively atmosphere.

When Tonga beat New Zealand 25-24 in Auckland last year, crowds watched the game on big screens in Nuku’alofa, highlighting the enthusiasm for the sport in Tonga.

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

The renovated Teufaiva Sport Stadium in Nuku'lofa is a multi-sport venue with a capacity of 10,000. Photo/austadiums.com

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.

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

Photo/TongaRugbyLeague