Three U.S. Destinations to Host Pacific Nations Cup 2025
Salt Lake City, Denver and Sacramento will all bring international event to town
Posted On: May 7, 2025 By :The 2025 Pacific Nations Cup will have matches in Sacramento plus the Denver and Salt Lake City regions as six teams will battle for automatic qualification into the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup in Australia.
This year’s tournament will include Canada, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Tonga and the U.S. The top three finishers other than already-qualified Fiji and Japan will punch their tickets to Australia.
The United States, after playing at Canada on August 22 in Calgary, will have a home match against Japan at Sacramento’s Heart Health Park on September 6. The semifinals and fifth-place game will be at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on September 14 in Commerce City, Colorado, before the third-place game and championship will be September 20 at America First Field in Sandy, Utah.
Sponsored Content
“We couldn’t be more pleased to announce the Pacific Nations Cup 2025, as we venture further in hosting premier global rugby on U.S. soil,” said USA Rugby Chief Executive Officer Bill Goren. “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.”
World Rugby will organize the tournament in partnership with USA Rugby and TEG Rugby Live. Teams are split into two regional pools of three, minimizing long travel during the pool stage. Pool A will feature Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, while Pool B includes Canada, Japan and U.S. Each nation is guaranteed at least three matches, including a minimum of one home fixture.
“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,” said World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson. “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.”
Pacific Nations Cup Schedule
Home Team Listed First
August 22: U.S. vs. Canada, McMahon Stadium, Calgary, Canada
August 23: Tonga vs Samoa, Teufaiva Sport Stadium, Nuku’alofa, Tonga
August 30: Fiji vs. Tonga, HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, Fiji
August 30: Japan vs. Canada, Sendai Yurtec Stadium, Sendai, Japan
September 6: Samoa vs. Fiji, Rotorua International Stadium, New Zealand
September 6: USA vs. Japan, Heart Health Park, Sacramento
September 14: Fifth-Place Playoff and Semifinals, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colorado
September 20: Third-Place Playoff and Championship, America First Field, Sandy, Utah