The Papua New Guinea National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) has acknowledged and thanked Digicel PNG for its continued commitment to the growth of rugby league through the renewal of its conaming right sponsorship of the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup for a further three years (2026-2028) years.
Digicel was the naming right sponsor of the competition since 2011, playing a pivotal role in transforming the national competition into one of the most competitive and semi-professionally run sporting leagues in the Pacific. In 2023, Digicel continued its support by allowing ExxonMobil to come on board as a co-naming right sponsor and continued sponsorship as co-naming right sponsor.
Since the inception of the sponsorship, the competition has experienced significant growth expanding from eight (8) teams to twelve (12) teams. This reflects an increased participation, stronger provincial representation, and the rising standard of rugby league across the country.
The partnership has also elevated the visibility of the competition through consistent broadcast coverage on Digicel PNG owned television service Digicel TV, providing a national platform for Papua New Guinea’s homegrown talent to showcase their skills and inspiring the next generation of players.
PNGNRLC Chairman Adrian Chow acknowledged Digicel’s long-standing contribution to the game.
“Digicel has been instrumental in the evolution of our national competition. Their continued investment since 2011 has allowed us to grow from a modest eight-team competition into a strong twelve-team league that now represents the very best of rugby league in Papua New Guinea.
This renewed partnership ensures that we can continue to provide a professional platform for our players and our pathway clubs while strengthening the competition’s reach and impact across the country,” he said.
PNGRFL Chief Executive Officer Stanley Hondina highlighted the broader impact of the partnership on the sport’s development.
“Digicel’s support goes beyond sponsorship — it is an investment in the future of rugby league in Papua New Guinea. Through improved broadcast coverage and increased visibility, our players are gaining greater exposure, and our pathways are becoming stronger. Digicel not only invests in this tier of the game but into our Kumuls and Orchids too and is a great whole of the game partner.
As the governing body, PNGRFL is committed to building a sustainable and inclusive game, and partnerships like this are critical to achieving that vision,” Hondina stated.
The renewal of Digicel’s sponsorship reinforces confidence in the continued growth of the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup and its role as a key driver of rugby league development in Papua New Guinea.
As the 2026 season gets underway, PNGNRLC looks forward to building on this strong foundation and delivering another exciting year of competition for fans across the nation.