The Santos Cup will kick off this weekend with an expanded competition that continues to strengthen the pathway for women's rugby league in Papua New Guinea.

Speaking at the official launch, PNG NRL Competition Chairman Adrian Chow said the third edition of the national women's competition marks another important milestone in the development of the sport.

"This is another important milestone for rugby league in Papua New Guinea as we launch the third year of the Santos Cup," Chow said.

The competition, which began in 2024, will again feature six franchise teams, but this season has been expanded to include eight regular season rounds followed by a two-week finals' series. Matches will be played across Port Moresby, Lae, Goroka, Kokopo, and Mount Hagen.

Chow said the competition continues to evolve, with players completing a mandatory five-week pre-season program aimed at raising standards across the board.

"We are building not just the competition; we are transforming our national sport into a truly inclusive platform for excellence," he said.

He noted that the quality of women's rugby league has improved significantly since the inaugural season, with better speed, skill execution and fewer handling errors demonstrating the progress made when female athletes are provided with the right opportunities and support.

Chow also thanked naming rights sponsor Santos and other partners, including the Australian Government's PacificAus Sports program, Kumul Mineral Holdings Limited and Digicel PNG, for their continued investment in the competition.

"Our partners are not just sponsoring a competition; they are investing in the empowerment of Papua New Guinean women and girls," he said.

He encouraged supporters to get behind the competition as the new season begins, saying every match represents another step forward for women's rugby league in Papua New Guinea.