United States hosts Pacific Nations Cup finale, eyeing 2027 Rugby World Cup appearance
Get Ready for the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup!
Next year, the united states will welcome the knockout rounds of the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup tournament, right in our backyard. Organizers announced the exciting news on Wednesday. Here's what you need to know!
The action-packed tournament, happening in August and September, will include Japan, Tonga, the reigning champions Fiji, Samoa, Canada, and, you guessed it, the USA. The semifinals are set for September 14 in Denver and the final will take place six days later in Salt Lake City, Utah.
To warm things up, the USA, who happens to be hosting both the 2031 Rugby World Cup and the 2033 Women's Rugby World Cup, will host a USA-Japan pool play match at Sacramento on September 6.
Bill Goren, CEO of USA Rugby, shared his thoughts, saying, "With Rugby World Cups 2031 and 2033 drawing closer, major events like the Pacific Nations Cup are essential to building the American rugby fanbase, engaging partners, and boosting the sport's profile." He's excited for what's to come, as the men's Eagles gear up to vie for Rugby World Cup qualification in front of the home crowd.
Teams will be divided into Pool A, featuring Samoa, Tonga, and Fiji, and Pool B with Canada, Japan, and the USA. Each nation is promised one home match and at least three matches overall.
Brett Robinson, Chair of World Rugby, spoke about the tournament, stating that it offers a model that supports the long-term health of the sport, by balancing high-performance standards with financial, environmental, and logistical considerations.
Fiji and Japan have already secured their spots in the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. The three remaining teams that perform best in the Pacific Nations Cup will also qualify for Australia. The last-place team will participate in a South America-Pacific playoff, battling for a chance to make it to the World Cup two years down the line.
Stay tuned for the Pacific Nations Cup schedule and venues – it's going to be one heck of a show!
🏉 2025 Pacific Nations Cup Schedule & Venues:
The 2025 Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) will be the second edition of the "reimagined" competition and features six teams split into two pools. The tournament runs from August 22 to September 20, 2025. The USA will host the finals series for the first time.
🌐 Pool Structure:
- Pool A: Fiji (defending champions), Samoa, Tonga
- Pool B: USA, Canada, Japan
📅 Match Schedule:
| Week | Date | Fixture | Venue | Location ||------|--------------|------------------------|-------------------------------------|------------------|| 1 | 22 Aug | Canada vs USA | Calgary, Alberta | Canada || 1 | 23 Aug | Tonga vs Samoa | Teufaiva Sport Stadium, Nuku’alofa | Tonga || 2 | 30 Aug | Fiji vs Tonga | HFC Bank Stadium, Suva | Fiji || 2 | 30 Aug | Japan vs Canada | Sendai Yurtec Stadium, Sendai | Japan || 3 | 6 Sep | Samoa vs Fiji | Rotorua | New Zealand || 3 | 6 Sep | USA vs Japan | Heart Health Park, Sacramento | USA (CA) |
🏆 Finals Series (Knockout Stages):
| Date | Stage | Venue | Location ||--------------|------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|------------------|| 14 Sep | Semi-finals (incl. 5th/6th playoff)| DICK’S Sporting Goods Park, Denver | USA (CO) || 20 Sep | Final/Third Place | America First Field, Salt Lake City | USA (UT) |
🎟️ Qualification for 2027 Rugby World Cup:
The 2025 Pacific Nations Cup will feature direct qualification for the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia, serving as a crucial pathway for participating nations.
🏟️ Notable Venues in the USA:
- Heart Health Park (Sacramento, CA): Hosts USA vs Japan (pool game)
- DICK’S Sporting Goods Park (Denver, CO): Hosts semifinals and 5th/6th playoff
- America First Field (Salt Lake City, UT): Hosts finals and third-place match
📈 Summary Table:
| City | Venue | Matches Hosted ||-----------------|----------------------------|------------------------|| Sacramento, CA | Heart Health Park | USA vs Japan || Denver, CO | DICK’S Sporting Goods Park | Semi-finals, playoff || Salt Lake City, UT | America First Field | Finals, third-place |
For the first time, the USA will host the Pacific Nations Cup Finals Series, marking a significant milestone in the growth of rugby in North America.
Sources:
- The 2025 Pacific Nations Cup will feature Japan, Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, Canada, and the USA, with the tournament schedule and venues set to be announced soon.
- The United States will host the finals series for the first time, with the semifinals taking place in Denver and the final in Salt Lake City.
- teams will be divided into Pool A (Samoa, Tonga, and Fiji) and Pool B (Canada, Japan, and the USA), ensuring each nation gets a home game and at least three matches overall.
- Bill Goren, CEO of USA Rugby, views the tournament as vital for increasing American rugby's fanbase, promoting partners, and raising its profile.
- With the 2031 Rugby World Cup and the 2033 Women's Rugby World Cup already scheduled in the USA, the Pacific Nations Cup will likely set high environmental, financial, and logistical standards for international sports events.
