FMG Stadium Waikato to host rugby league grand final

FMG Stadium Waikato will host the Pacific Cup grand final on Saturday 4th November as part of the newly announced Pacific Championships in partnership with New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL).

The 2023 Pacific Championships is a two-tiered competition with six men’s teams and seven women’s teams taking part in the tournament across two pools.

Commenting on the series, NZRL Chief Executive, Greg Peters advised “I firmly believe the Pacific Cup will be the biggest international rugby league events on home soil since the 2017 World Cup.”

Hamilton City Council’s General Manager of Venues, Tourism and Major Events, Sean Murray noted “we’re working hard to deliver an exceptional Pacific Championship final at FMG Stadium Waikato. The team looks forward to passionate fans and the exposure this game will bring to our city and region.”

Peters added “how special to bring the best players in the world back home to play in front of their communities.

“We’re excited to work with these Pacific teams to bring our rugby league heroes back home and unite fans across New Zealand and the Pacific.

“No other code can produce such a celebration of culture and passion; the atmosphere will be unmissable.”

Game schedule:

Week One - 14th and 15th October 
• Australia v Samoa (men) and Australia v New Zealand (women) at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
• PNG v Cook Islands (men) and Samoa v Fiji (women) at Santos Stadium, Port Moresby 

Week Two - 21st and 22nd October
• New Zealand v Samoa (men), New Zealand v Tonga (women), and NZ Kiwis A v Tonga A (men) at Eden Park, Auckland 
• Fiji v Cook Islands (men) and PNG v Cook Islands (women) at Santos Stadium, Port Moresby 

Week Three - 28th and 29th October 
• Australia v New Zealand (men and women) at AAMI Park, Melbourne 
• PNG v Fiji (men) at Santos Stadium, Port Moresby 

Week Four - 4th and 5th November 
• The final of the men’s Pacific Cup tournament on 4th November at FMG Stadium Waikato, New Zealand 
• The final of the men’s Pacific Bowl tournament on 5th November at Santos Stadium, Port Moresby

Tickets for the Pacific Championships grand final are on sale to the public now from Ticketek. 

Image: Pacific Cup rugby league. Credit: Hamilton City Council.