The annual Prime Minister’s XIII rugby league clashes between Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Australia will be held once again in Port Moresby, this time coinciding with the nation’s historic 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations. The matches are set for Sunday, 12 October 2025, at the Santos National Football Stadium. Festivities will kick off at 9am, when the Junior Orchids face the Australian Schoolgirls, followed by the Junior Kumuls taking on the Australian Schoolboys at 11am. At 1pm, the PM’s XIII women clash will take centre stage before the much-anticipated PM’s XIII men’s match at 3pm, which will headline the day’s program. PNG Rugby Football League Chief Executive Officer, Stanley Hondina, said the annual fixture provides invaluable opportunities for players on both sides. “These games always provide a pathway for players from both countries, and the opportunity this provides for our juniors and the school children from Australia is quite significant as many of them can get selected to the senior sides, to feeder clubs and possibly the NRL and NRLW.” Tickets are already on sale at participating Post PNG outlets, with prices set at: -Eastern Stand – K30 -North/South Stands – K50 -Western Wings – K80 -Grandstand – K120 All squads will be announced next week as preparations ramp up for what is expected to be an enthralling day for rugby league fans in Port Moresby. The Prime Minister’s XIII tradition began in 2005 with the men’s match, later expanding to include the women’s game in 2017 and junior fixtures in 2023. Beyond the action on the field, the annual clashes also serve as a platform to promote rugby league and humanitarian causes supported by the governments of PNG and Australia.