2026 Pacific Four Series: Tournament Schedule, Results and How to Watch

The 2026 Pacific Four Series is right around the corner this April. While all the Unions haven’t announced their locations and stadiums, we were able to put together the pieces to see what the month ahead looks like. With the 2025 Rugby World Cup in the books, the powerhouse quartet of Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the USA are already shifting their focus toward the long term build for the 2029 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

This tournament continues to be a vital part of the spring calendar. It provides a high stakes competitive environment for the top teams not involved in the Six Nations. It also serves as the first major benchmark for the new four year cycle.

Current World Rugby Standings

The PAC4 remains one of the most competitive regional tournaments in the world. It features three of the top eight teams globally. Canada currently leads the pack among these four and sits comfortably at world number two.

History and Recent Form

The PAC4 did not serve as a path for WXV last year and that trend continues in 2026. Instead, it is the primary preparation ground for the next world cycle. In the 2025 edition, New Zealand took the title on point differential after a massive win over the USA. This followed a 27–27 draw between the Black Ferns and Canada.

The battle between the USA and Australia remains one of the most watched rivalries in the series. In 2025, the Wallaroos secured a 27–19 victory over the Eagles. The USA will be looking to reclaim the form they showed in 2024 when they took down Australia 32-25 in a thriller.

Looking Ahead to 2029

The PAC4 is essential because it keeps these top tier teams active while the Northern Hemisphere is busy. With World Rugby’s new WXV Global Series moving to a home and away touring model later this year, these April matches are the perfect way to test depth.

For Australia, every match is now viewed through the lens of being the 2029 hosts. For the USA, the Hanratty Era officially begins. New Head Coach Jack Hanratty, who recently led the Canadian 7s to Olympic silver, is already evaluating domestic talent in Chula Vista to build a new identity for the Eagles. Canada remains focused on closing the gap on the world number one spot currently held by England. For New Zealand, the focus is on a total reset. Under new Head Coach Whitney Hansen, the Black Ferns are using this series to shore up defensive gaps and develop a deeper roster as they look to transition from 2025 bronze medalists back to world leaders.

Alice Soper’s Take: The Need for “CANU”

Despite the high level of play, the lack of an official schedule in late January remains a major point of frustration. As Alice Soper noted in her latest column, the tournament is currently held back by its “stumbling” administrative structure. She recommends that the participating nations form a dedicated organizing body—CANU (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, USA)—similar to SANZAAR. This would prevent fans and players from having to “dig” for TBC placeholders and ensure the tournament is treated as a strategic asset with professional promotion, much like the Six Nations.