Breaking: World Rugby Unveils Pacific Nations Cup 2025 Schedule; USA to Host Finals for the First Time in Salt Lake City
Rugby’s Pacific Rise: USA Hosts PNC Finals, Lighting the Spark for RWC 2031 and 2033
Major Announcement: Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) 2025 Schedule Unveiled
World Rugby has confirmed the full schedule for the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup, with the United States set to host the Finals for the first time.
USA: A Growing Rugby Powerhouse
Salt Lake City, UT – In a significant 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 as the venues for the knockout rounds. Sacramento will also play host to a pool game between Japan and the USA.
“With Rugby World Cups 2031 and 2033 approaching, hosting events like the PNC is crucial for growing the American rugby fanbase.”
Bill Goren, USA Rugby CEO
Why Utah?
Utah’s rugby community boasts an impressive 38 national champions in the last 39 years, and the state is home to Major League Rugby’s founding team, the Utah Warriors. With a rich history of hosting international events like the 2002 Olympic Winter Games and the upcoming 2034 Olympic Winter Games, Utah is a premier destination for elite sports events.
“Bringing the PNC Finals to Utah showcases our rise as a global sports destination and highlights the strength of our local rugby community.”
Jeff Robbins, President & CEO, Utah Sports Commission
The PNC 2025: A Fierce Competition
This year’s tournament brings together six dynamic rugby nations: Canada, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Tonga, and the USA. They will battle it out for glory and direct qualification for the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027.
Pools and Schedule
Teams are split into two regional pools of three, minimizing long-haul travel during the pool stage. Here’s a sneak peek at the schedule:
- **Pool A:** Fiji, Samoa, Tonga
- **Pool B:** Canada, Japan, USA
The tournament opens with Fiji hosting Tonga on August 30, with defending champions Fiji looking to make a strong start in their quest to retain the title.
USA: The Global Rugby Hub
World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson sees the USA playing a key role in rugby’s global expansion, saying, “Strategic host markets like the United States are playing key roles in rugby’s global expansion, combining established fanbases with emerging commercial potential.”
Did You Know?
The Pacific Nations Cup also serves as a crucial qualification pathway to the Men’s Rugby World Cup. The best three teams, other than already-qualified Fiji and Japan, will secure their spots for Australia 2027.
Pro Tips for Rugby Fans
🏉 Mark your calendars: The Finals take place on September 20 in Salt Lake City. Tickets are available at world.rugby/pacific-nations-cup/en/tickets.
📺 Catch the action: As with last year’s tournament, matches will be available globally through local broadcast partners and on RugbyPass TV.
FAQs
- Q: When and where will the Pacific Nations Cup 2025 Finals take place?
- A: The Finals will take place on Saturday, September 20, at America First Field in Salt Lake City, Utah.
- Q: Which teams have qualified for the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 through the Pacific Nations Cup?
- A: The qualification process is ongoing. As of now, only defending champions Fiji and Japan have secured their spots for Australia 2027.
Don’t Miss Out!
Stay tuned to 247sports.new for all the latest updates, highlights, and exclusive interviews from the Pacific Nations Cup 2025! Let us know which teams you’re rooting for in the comments below.