The stage is set. World Rugby, USA Rugby, and TEG Rugby Live have officially dropped the full schedule for the Pacific Nations Cup 2025 (PNC)—and it’s a game-changer. For the first time, the PNC Finals are landing on U.S. soil. Denver and Salt Lake City will host the knockout rounds, while Sacramento gets a marquee pool match between Japan and the USA. For rugby fans across North America and the Pasifika diaspora, this isn’t just another tournament—it’s history in the making.
As the USA gears up for the Men’s and Women’s Rugby World Cups in 2031 and 2033, these matches are laying the foundation for rugby’s growth in America. “Major event opportunities like the Pacific Nations Cup are key contributors in growing the American rugby fanbase, engaging partners, and raising the profile of our sport,” said USA Rugby CEO Bill Goren.
Circle September 20 on your calendars—Salt Lake City’s America First Field will host both the Final and Third Place Play-off. It’s a fitting choice for a state with deep rugby roots, home to 38 national titles and MLR’s Utah Warriors. “Bringing the PNC Finals to The State of Sport is a major milestone,” added Utah Sports Commission President Jeff Robbins.
This year’s tournament will see six heavyweights—Canada, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Tonga, and the USA—battle for glory and a spot at Rugby World Cup 2027. Defending champs Fiji open the action in Suva on August 30.
World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson called the revamped PNC “a manifestation of World Rugby’s broader commitment to building a global game that is inclusive, competitive, and sustainable.”
Pasifika, this is our moment.
To show up. To show out.
To support our brothers from Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga.
This isn’t just rugby. It’s a celebration of who we are.
Pool A
🇫🇯 Fiji
🇼🇸 Samoa
🇹🇴 Tonga
Pool B
🇨🇦 Canada
🇯🇵 Japan
🇺🇸 USA
Every nation is guaranteed at least three matches, including one home fixture, a vital opportunity for fans to rally behind their teams, boost visibility, and grow the sport from the grassroots up.
This year’s 11-match tournament will be officiated by nine Emirates World Rugby Match Officials representing eight countries, and fans can catch all the action via local broadcasters and globally on RugbyPass TV. Kick-off times and broadcast details will be released soon.
TEG Rugby Live, the official U.S. delivery partner for World Rugby and USA Rugby, is leading the charge in bringing PNC 2025 to life for American fans. “We’re thrilled to roll out the Pacific Nations Cup across the U.S.,” said Stephen Cottrell, Managing Director. “This is a huge moment for rugby in the U.S., and we can’t wait to bring fans closer to the action than ever before.” And if you’re wondering what’s at stake, here’s the kicker: the top three teams, excluding already-qualified Fiji and Japan, will earn direct entry to the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027. The sixth-place finisher will face off in the South America/Pacific play-off.
From the islands of Suva to the stadium lights of Salt Lake City, this is a moment for our people, our teams, our culture. We’re not just competing… we’re representing.
📅 Key Dates + Locations
Week 1
• Friday, 22 August – Canada v USA – Calgary, Alberta
• Saturday, 23 August – Tonga v Samoa – Nuku’alofa, Tonga
(Fiji and Japan have a bye week)
Week 2
• Saturday, 30 August – Fiji v Tonga – Suva, Fiji
• Saturday, 30 August – Japan v Canada – Sendai, Japan
(Samoa and USA have a bye week)
Week 3
• Saturday, 6 September – Samoa v Fiji – Rotorua, New Zealand
• Saturday, 6 September – USA v Japan – Sacramento, California
(Tonga and Canada have a bye week)
Sunday, 14 September – Semi-finals – Denver, Colorado
• 5th Place Play-off (Men’s RWC 2027 Qualifier): A3 vs B3
• Semi-final 1: A2 vs B1
• Semi-final 2: A1 vs B2
Saturday, 20 September – Finals – Salt Lake City, Utah
• Third Place Play-off
• Final
🎟️ Tickets available now at: www.world.rugby/pacific-nations-cup/en/tickets
