The NRL has announced the draw for the 2024 Pacific Championships, with four weekends of footy being announced across four countries.

Promotion and relegation has also been introduced, with the third-place Pacific Cup men’s and women’s team to play against the winner of the Pacific Bowl tournament for their respective place in the top bracket.

For NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo, promotion and relegations means each game has a meaning for the respective nations.

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“The 2024 Pacific Championships will be the biggest sporting event in the region,” Abdo said in a statement.

“This year we have raised the stakes by adding promotion and relegation across the men’s and women’s tournaments so there is a great deal at stake in the Pacific Championships.

“As the Pacific’s largest sport, Rugby League is fast becoming the language that unifies the region.

“The Pacific Championships is a powerful showcase and celebration of culture, connecting passionate Rugby League fans in each host city and nation into one pulsating sporting community.

“Fans will have the opportunity to experience the unique colour and atmosphere that the Pacific Championships brings with each venue hosting double-header match days to create a carnival atmosphere with local and visiting supporters.”

The 2024 tournament once again features two divisions, with Australia, New Zealand and Tonga competing for the Cup.

Meanwhile, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and the Cook Islands will do battle for the Bowl.

In the women’s competition, Australia, New Zealand and PNG compete for the Cup and Fiji, Tonga, Cook Islands and Samoa contest the Bowl.

The women’s Bowl competition will earn the winner a direct entry into the 2026 World Cup.

The tournament will kick off in Australia in Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium before Fiji, PNG and New Zealand host games, rounding off with a quadruple header in Sydney at CommBank Stadium.

FULL PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS DRAW

Pacific Cup – Men

Friday October 18 — Australia v Tonga, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Sunday October 27 — New Zealand v Australia, Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch

Saturday November 2 — New Zealand v Tonga, Go Media Stadium, Auckland

Sunday November 10 — Final, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Pacific Bowl – Men

Saturday October 19 — Fiji v PNG, Fiji

Saturday October 26 — Fiji v Cook Islands, Fiji

Sunday November 3 — PNG v Cook Islands, Santos Stadium, Port Moresby

Sunday November 10 — Promotion/Relegation Playoff, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Pacific Cup – Women

Friday October 18 — Australia v PNG, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Sunday October 27 — New Zealand v Australia, Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch

Sunday November 3 — PNG v New Zealand, Santos Stadium, Port Moresby

Sunday November 10 — Final, CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Pacific Bowl – Women

Saturday October 19 — Tonga v Samoa, Fiji

Saturday October 26 — Fiji v Cook Islands, Fiji

Saturday November 2 — Final, Go Media Stadium, Auckland

Sunday November 10 — Promotion/Relegation Playoff, CommBank Stadium, Sydney