Papua New Guinea to host Australia for 2026 rugby league series

Papua New Guinea is set to host Australia in Port Moresby for the 2026 Prime Minister’s XIII rugby league series. The four-match program, scheduled for October 3 at the Santos National Football Stadium, will feature both junior and senior national teams from both countries.

The schedule includes matchups between the Junior Orchids and Australian Schoolgirls, the Junior Kumuls and Australian Schoolboys, the PNG Orchids and Australian Women’s Prime Minister’s XIII, and finally the PNG Kumuls against the Australian Men’s Prime Minister’s XIII.

Beyond the sporting competition, rugby league serves as a significant cultural and diplomatic link between the two nations. Australia has also expressed interest in expanding its influence through the sport, including a proposed 600 million Australian dollar investment to establish a Papua New Guinean team in the National Rugby League, though such funding may be subject to geopolitical conditions regarding security pacts.