USA hosts Pacific Nations Cup finals with RWC qualification on the line

NEWS: The United States will host the knockout rounds of the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup tournament, organizers announced Wednesday, with three teams directly qualifying for the 2027 World Cup.

The tournament next August and September will feature Japan, Tonga, defending champion Fiji, Samoa, Canada and the United States with semifinals in Denver on September 14 and the final six days later in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The USA, which is set to host the 2031 Rugby World Cup and 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cup, will also host a USA-Japan pool match at Sacramento on September 6.

“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 fan base, engaging partners and raising the profile of our sport,” USA Rugby chief executive officer Bill Goren said.

“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.”

Teams are divided into Pool A, with Samoa, Tonga and Fiji, and Pool B with Canada, Japan and the USA with each nation assured one home match and at least three matches overall.

“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,” World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson said.

Fiji and Japan have already qualified for the 2027 World Cup.

The three other best finishers in the Pacific Nations Cup will also qualify for Australia with the last-place team to join a South America-Pacific play-off for a chance to reach the World Cup in two years.

Key dates and locations

Week One:

Friday, 22 August: Canada v USA – Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Saturday, 23 August: Tonga v Samoa – Teufaiva Sport Stadium, Nuku’alofa, Tonga

Week Two:

Saturday, 30 August: Fiji v Tonga – Suva, Fiji

Saturday, 30 August: Japan v Canada – Sendai Yurtec Stadium, Sendai, Japan

Week Three:

Saturday, 6 September: Samoa v Fiji – Rotorua, New Zealand

Saturday, 6 September: USA v Japan – Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California

The Final Series is structured to ensure teams playing across the two weekends, offer both competitive clarity and consistent exposure:

Sunday, 14 September – Semifinals (Denver, Colorado):

Fifth v Sixth play-off (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 play-off, while the fifth v sixth play-off offers just as much excitement with the eventual winner qualifying directly for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia.

The loser will have another opportunity to qualify in a play-off with South America.

Saturday, 20 September – Finals (America First Field, Salt Lake City, Utah):

Third v Fourth play-off

Final

Sources: World Rugby and AFP