The Papua New Guinea Rugby National Rugby League Competition (PNGNRLC) is proud to officially announce the draw for the 2026 Santos Cup, the nation’s premier women’s rugby league competition.
This season marks a significant milestone in the growth of the women’s game, featuring an expanded schedule and matches to be played across multiple provinces including Port Moresby, Lae, Rabaul, Goroka and Minj.
The 2026 season will officially kick off on July 11 and 12, following the mid-year representative window. The competition comprises six elite teams competing over eight rounds of regular-season action, followed by a high-stakes two weeks of finals series.
Round one will see a Grand Final rematch between the reigning champions, the Gas Resources Central Dabaris, and their rivals from the past two seasons, the Bintangor Goroka Lahanis. Participating teams in this year’s competition are the Lae Snax Tigers, Wamp Nga Mt. Hagen Eagles, Bintangor Goroka Lahanis, ENB Agmark Gurias, Moni Plus NCDC Pom Vipers and reigning premiers, Gas Resources Central Dabaris.
The 2026 draw is headlined by several marquee events designed to celebrate the role of women in the sport. Round five, scheduled for August 8th and 9th, is designated as the “Women in League Round.” Additionally, the competition continues its integration with the wider rugby league ecosystem, with several rounds slated to be co-hosted alongside the SP PNG Hunters and the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup.
Following the conclusion of the regular season, the top four teams will advance to the Semi-Finals on September 6, 2026, to be held in Port Moresby.
The season will culminate in the Grand Final on September 13, 2026, at the National Football Stadium, where the two best teams in the country will battle for the prestigious Santos Cup.
PNGNRLC Women’s Competition Manager, Urith Toa said this year mark’s the third year of the competition and reflects the continued growth of the women’s game, with matches being taken to more communities across the country.
“We have only been able to do see the 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,” she concluded.