What sports are played in the Pacific?
- Lewis Donaldson
- Jan 19
- 3 min read
Every country has their sport. For Japan it's sumo. For China, table tennis. For Australia, well, arguably cricket. But what about the sports played in the Pacific?
Several sports are played across the Pacific, but here are some of the main ones:
Rugby
Both rugby league and union are popular among Pacific nations, like Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. This sport is deeply ingrained within Pacific culture, schools and communities.
Pacific nations players have also succeeded on the world stage and so have teams like New Zealand's All Blacks.
Major events like the Rugby World Cup and the Pacific Nations Cup also showcase the region's talent.
The Pacific Nations Cup is a rugby union competition first played in 2006. Six permanent union teams are part of the comp: Canada, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Tonga and the US.
For the National Rugby League (NRL) held mainly in Australia, New Zealand participates through its team the Warriors. Papua New Guinea is also set to join the competition in 2028.
Soccer
Also known as football, soccer has gained a significant following across the Pacific, with many countries participating in regional competitions.
One of these competitions is the OFC Nations Cup (Oceania Football Confederation), which has 11 members, plus two associate members.
OFC teams come from American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, New Caledonia, New Zealand, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
Cricket
Cricket has carved out a niche for itself in several Pacific nations, with Papua New Guinea and Fiji leading the way in popularity.
The sport has varying levels of participation and support depending on the country, and the Pacific Games - held every four years - has seen cricket played widely.
Cricket was held at every Pacific Games between 2003 and 2019, however was not played in 2023.
Of these games, the Papua New Guinea Men's team was the most successful with 1st place in four of the last five Pacific Games. For the women's tournament, Samoa's team has succeeded in winning 1st place in 2015 and 2019.
Traditional Sports
Like many regions around the world, Pacific Islanders have developed their own sports or variations of others.
One example is 'te ano', the national sport of Tuvalu. This game is likened to volleyball but instead uses two balls to make a fast-paced and intense team sport.
Another sport is 'kilikiti', also known as Samoan cricket. This sport is the national game of Samoa and is played throughout Polynesia. It differs to cricket in a few ways, mainly that there's no team size limit and entire villages can get involved!
Other sports
Various other sports are played across the Pacific too. Some of these sports include:
Netball: Netball is particularly popular among women and girls in Fiji and Samoa, where it is played at both recreational and competitive levels.
Basketball: Basketball is rapidly gaining traction across the Pacific islands, with local leagues and competitions emerging in various communities.
Surfing: The Pacific is renowned for its coastlines and world-class surf spots, making it a popular sport for both locals and those abroad.
These sports not only entertain but also significantly contribute to bringing Pacific Islanders and communities closer together. When you head to the Pacific next, make sure to check out the local sports and maybe get involved in the action!