PNG CHIEFS NRL TICKETS 2028

About

Rugby league isn’t just a sport in Papua New Guinea — it’s the national sport, the heartbeat of a
country where the game is woven into everyday life. After more than 15 years of bids, dreams,
and unwavering belief, that passion is finally being rewarded. On 12 December 2024, the NRL
formally announced that a Papua New Guinea-based franchise would join the competition in
2028. On 12 October 2025, Prime Minister James Marape unveiled the club’s name to the
world: the PNG Chiefs.

Based in Port Moresby, the Chiefs will be the NRL’s 19th club and the first team in the
competition’s history to be based outside of Australia or New Zealand. Backed by a A$600
million Australian Government package supporting the team alongside grassroots and pathways
investment across Papua New Guinea and the Pacific, the Chiefs are the centrepiece of the
NRL’s landmark Pacific Rugby League Partnership.

The club’s seven-person board is chaired by former Bulldogs supremo Ray Dib, with Melbourne
Storm legend Marcus Bai among its members, blending Australian rugby league experience
with deep Papua New Guinean knowledge. Home games will be played at Santos National
Football Stadium in Port Moresby, with the venue being upgraded to a capacity of 23,000–
25,000 in preparation for the Chiefs’ inaugural 2028 season.

The PNG Chiefs are set to make NRL history in 2028, and when that day comes, Ticket
Merchant will be right there with you. Stay tuned — PNG Chiefs NRL tickets will be available
here the moment fixtures are released. In the meantime, bookmark this page and be first in line
when the Chiefs take the international stage.

When Do the PNG Chiefs Join the NRL?

The PNG Chiefs are scheduled to enter the NRL competition in the 2028 season, making them
the league’s 19th club. The team’s inclusion was formally announced on 12 December 2024 as
part of the Pacific Rugby League Partnership, with the franchise name officially confirmed on 12
October 2025 ahead of the Prime Minister’s XIII test between Papua New Guinea and Australia.

Where Do the PNG Chiefs Play Their Home Games?

The PNG Chiefs will play their home games at Santos National Football Stadium in Port
Moresby, the national stadium of Papua New Guinea. Originally redeveloped for the 2015
Pacific Games, the venue is being upgraded from its current 15,000 capacity to between 23,000
and 25,000 in time for the Chiefs’ inaugural NRL season in 2028. It will also be the home ground
of the Papua New Guinea national rugby league team.

What Is the History Behind the PNG Chiefs?

Efforts to bring an NRL team to Papua New Guinea date back to 2008, when then-prime
minister Sir Michael Somare first launched a national bid. The Papua New Guinea Hunters
entered the Queensland Cup in 2014 and won the premiership in 2017, proving the country’s
capacity to compete at a high level. After years of advocacy, Prime Minister James Marape’s
push for a 2025 entry evolved into the historic 2024 announcement of a 2028 NRL debut.

How Is the PNG Chiefs Franchise Funded?

The Chiefs are supported by an A$600 million Australian Government investment over ten years
as part of the NRL’s Pacific Rugby League Partnership. The funding underpins the new team
while also investing in grassroots, pathways, and elite rugby league across Papua New Guinea,
Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji. A linked security agreement between the Australian and Papua New
Guinean Governments accompanies the deal, recognising the shared strategic importance of
the partnership.

Who Runs the PNG Chiefs?

The PNG Chiefs are governed by a seven-person board chaired by Ray Dib, the former
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs chairman. Board members include Melbourne Storm legend
Marcus Bai, Lorna McPherson, Richard Pegum, Stan Joyce, Wapu Sonk and Ian Tarutia,
combining strong Australian rugby league experience with deep ties to Papua New Guinea’s
sporting and business communities.

How Can I Get PNG Chiefs NRL Tickets for 2028?

PNG Chiefs NRL tickets aren’t on sale just yet — but they will be. When the 2028 NRL fixture is
announced and tickets go live, Ticket Merchant will have you covered. We’ll list all PNG Chiefs
home and away games, including matches at Santos National Football Stadium in Port
Moresby, so you can lock in your seats for the moment history is made.

Bookmark this page or sign up to our mailing list to be notified the moment PNG Chiefs tickets
are available at Ticket Merchant.