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Brisbane and Sydney have been named Australian host cities for the 2024 Pacific RL championship in four countries across four weekends in October and November.
The National Rugby League (NRL) says this year’s championship will introduce promotion and relegation; the winner of the men’s and women’s Pacific Bowls will play off against the third-placed Pacific Cup nations for a place in their 2025 Pacific Cup pools.
Fiji will host matches for the first time; other host cities include Port Moresby, Brisbane, Christchurch, Auckland and Sydney.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo says the new promotion-relegation format will add extra significance to each game.
“… we have raised the stakes by adding promotion and relegation across the men’s and women’s tournaments so there is a great deal at stake in the Pacific Championships,” he says.
“The Pacific Championships is a powerful showcase and celebration of culture, connecting passionate rugby league fans in each host city and nation into one pulsating sporting community.
“Fans will have the opportunity to experience the unique colour and atmosphere that the Pacific Championships brings with each venue hosting double-header match days to create a carnival atmosphere with local and visiting supporters,” Mr Abdo says.
Queensland Minister for Tourism and Sport, Michael Healy says it is “terrific” that Brisbane will host the opening round with a men’s and women’s cup double-header.
“…. we know an expected full house at the cauldron (Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium) will create an amazing atmosphere while injecting an expected $7 million into the local visitor economy,” the minister says.
“As we continue to pave the green and gold runway toward the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Queensland further enhances its reputation as the premier destination for hosting world-class events that bring people together.”
The finals will be held in Sydney on Sunday, November 10.
The Cup draw:
Men
Friday, October 18, Australia v Tonga, Brisbane;
Sunday, Oct 27, New Zealand v Australia, Christchurch;
Saturday, November 2: New Zealand v Tonga, Auckland;
Sunday, November 10: final, Sydney
Women
Friday, October 18, Australia v PNG, Brisbane;
Sunday, Oct 27, NZ v Australia, Christchurch;
Sunday, November 3, PNG v NZ, Port Moresby
Sunday, November 10: Final, Sydney.
Bowl men
Saturday, October 19, Fiji v PNG in Fiji
Saturday, October 26, Fiji v Cook Islands in Fiji
Sunday, November 3, PNG v Cook Islands in PNG
Sunday, November 10, Promotion/Relegation Play-off, Sydney
Bowl women
October 19, Tonga v Samoa, Fiji
October 26, Fiji v Cook Islands, Fiji
November 2, Final, Auckland
November 10, Promotion/Relegation Play-off, Sydney
