USA to Host Pacific Nations Cup 2025 Finals with direct qualification path to Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027

World Rugby confirms full PNC schedule, with USA to host Finals for the first time; matches in Sacramento, Denver, and Salt Lake City announced.

 

World Rugby, in partnership with USA Rugby and TEG Rugby Live, has officially announced the full schedule for the Pacific Nations Cup 2025 (PNC), the second edition of the revitalized and expanded competition that is fast becoming a pillar of the international rugby calendar.

 

In a major step forward for rugby in North America, the Pacific Nations Cup 2025 Finals will be hosted on US soil, with Denver and Salt Lake City set to welcome fans for the knockout rounds of the competition, and Sacramento hosting a pool game between Japan and the USA. This is significant in underscoring USA Rugby’s growing role in the global game and its lead-up to hosting the Men’s and Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2031 and 2033, respectively.

 

USA Rugby CEO, Bill Goren said: “We couldn’t be more pleased to announce the Pacific Nations Cup 2025, as we venture further in hosting premier global rugby on US soil. With Rugby World Cups 2031 and 2033 inching closer, 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. We have a lot to look forward to this fall as our Men’s Eagles target Rugby World Cup qualification in front of the home crowd.”

 

This year’s tournament will once again bring together six of the most dynamic and passionate rugby nations: Canada, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Tonga, and the USA, battling it out for glory and direct qualification for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia.

 

World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson said: “The reimagined Pacific Nations Cup is more than just a tournament, it’s a manifestation of World Rugby’s broader commitment to building a global game that is inclusive, competitive, and sustainable."

 

“By balancing high-performance standards with financial, environmental, and logistical considerations, the PNC offers a model that supports the long-term health of our sport. The structure, regional pools, home fixtures, finals rotation, and integrated development pathways, ensures that players, fans, and unions all benefit.”

 

“Meanwhile, strategic host markets like Japan and the United States are playing key roles in rugby’s global expansion, combining established fanbases with emerging commercial potential. The USA Finals will mark a pivotal moment in preparation for Rugby World Cups 2031 and 2033 and I would like to thank all our local partners, starting with USA Rugby, for transforming this ambitious vision into a reality.”

 

Event promoters TEG Rugby Live are the US delivery partner for USA Rugby and World Rugby, and are excited to bring the Pacific Nations Cup 2025 to fans in America.

 

Stephen Cottrell TEG Rugby Live Managing Director said "TEG Rugby Live is proud to partner with USA Rugby and World Rugby as their official U.S. delivery partner, and we’re thrilled to roll out the Pacific Nations Cup 2025 across America. 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."

 

In the Pacific Nations Cup 2025, the teams are split into two regional pools of three, minimizing long haul travel during the pool stage, reducing the tournament’s carbon footprint, and maximizing player recovery time.
 

• Pool A: Fiji, Samoa, Tonga
• Pool B: Canada, Japan, USA

Each nation is guaranteed at least three matches, including a minimum of one home fixture, offering critical opportunities for fan engagement, expansion and awareness of the game. These fixtures play a key role in promoting the sport locally, building national team visibility, and giving home fans the chance to support their teams on home soil. This year’s tournament of 11 matches will be officiated by nine Emirates World Rugby Match Officials representing eight nations. You can view a full list of match officials appointments here, and the full schedule of matches, with locations, can be found at the end of this release.

 

Kick-off times and broadcast arrangements will be announced in the coming weeks. As with last year’s tournament, matches will be available globally through local broadcast partners as well as on RugbyPass TV, ensuring fans across the world can follow the action.

 

The Pacific Nations Cup 2025 also serves as a crucial qualification pathway to Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia. This ensures that every fixture has tangible stakes, adding to the intensity and quality of play throughout the competition. The best three teams of the Pacific Nations Cup 2025, other than already-qualified Fiji and Japan, will punch their tickets to Australia 2027. The sixth-place team will join the South America/Pacific Playoff.

 

From Suva to Sendai, from Calgary to Salt Lake City, as six proud nations battle to lift the Pacific Nations Cup and take a massive step toward Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027. Match info and presale signups can be found at usa.rugby/PNC2025.

 

KEY DATES AND LOCATIONS

Saturday, 6 September: Samoa v Fiji – Rotorua International Stadium, New Zealand Saturday, 6 September: USA v Japan – Heart Health Park – Sacramento, California Tonga and Canada: Bye week Sun, Sep 14 - Semifinals - DICK’S Sporting Goods Park – Denver, CO 5th Place Playoff (Men’s RWC 2027 qualifier) A3 v B3 Semifinal 1: A2 v B1 Semifinal 2: A1 v B2 These match-ups will determine which teams advance to the Cup final and third-place playoff, while the fifth-place playoff offers just as much excitement with the eventual winner qualifying directly for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia. Sat, Sep 20 - Finals - America First Field - Salt Lake City, UT 3rd Place Playoff 2025 Pacific Nations Cup Final