The Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) has unveiled the draw for the 2026 Santos Cup, with the country's premier women's rugby league competition set to expand its reach across multiple provinces as it enters its third season.
The 2026 competition will kick off on July 11-12 following the mid-year representative window, featuring six elite teams competing over eight rounds before a two-week finals series.
In a significant step forward for women's rugby league in Papua New Guinea, matches will be played in Port Moresby, Lae, Rabaul, Goroka and Minj, bringing the competition closer to communities around the country.
The opening round will feature a highly anticipated Grand Final rematch between reigning premiers Gas Resources Central Dabaris and perennial contenders Bintangor Goroka Lahanis, who have contested the competition's major honours over the past two seasons.
Joining the two powerhouse clubs in this year's competition are the Lae Snax Tigers, Wamp Nga Mt Hagen Eagles, ENB Agmark Gurias and Moni Plus NCDC Pom Vipers.
The competition schedule also includes several feature events aimed at celebrating and promoting the women's game. Round Five, scheduled for August 8 and 9, has been designated as the "Women in League Round", highlighting the contribution of women to rugby league across Papua New Guinea.
The Santos Cup will continue to strengthen its connection with the broader rugby league pathway, with several fixtures scheduled alongside SP PNG Hunters and Digicel ExxonMobil Cup matches throughout the season.
Following the completion of the regular season, the top four teams will advance to the semi-finals in Port Moresby on September 6, before the season concludes with the Grand Final at the National Football Stadium on September 13.
PNGNRLC Women's Competition Manager Urith Toa said the continued growth of the competition reflects increasing opportunities for female athletes across the country.
"This year's competition marks the third year of the Santos Cup and reflects the continued growth of the women's game, with matches being taken to more communities across the country," Toa said.
"We have only been able to see this progress because of the steadfast support of Santos, PacificAus Sports and KMHL. We are excited to provide greater opportunities for our female athletes while allowing fans to witness the skill, passion and commitment that exists throughout women's rugby league in Papua New Guinea."
The Santos Cup has become a key component of Papua New Guinea's rugby league development pathway, providing elite-level opportunities for women and strengthening the nation's reputation as one of the sport's emerging forces in the Pacific region.
