Team Tonga will compete in the inaugural Asia Pacific Opens Touch Cup (APOTC) in Mudgee, New South Wales, Australia, in April.
Tonga is one of 14 nations confirmed for the first-ever regional tournament, which will feature elite competition across Men’s, Women’s and Mixed Open divisions.
The Tonga Touch national team is preparing to test itself against some of the best teams in the Asia-Pacific region.
Tonga will line up alongside a diverse and competitive field that includes China, Chinese Taipei, Cook Islands, Greece, Hong Kong China, Lebanon, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Sri Lanka, and host nation Australia.
The 2026 tournament will be hosted at the Glen Willow Regional Sports Complex at Mudgee.
Touch is one of the fastest-growing sports globally and is known for its speed, agility and inclusivity. Played by teams of six, the minimal-contact game promotes running, passing, catching, evasion and strong support play. Unlike rugby union, rugby league or soccer, Touch is uniquely played in mixed-gender formats alongside men’s and women’s divisions, a feature that reflects the sport’s inclusive spirit.
The tournament is being delivered by the Federation of International Touch (FIT) in partnership with the Touch Football Australia, the sport’s international governing body.
Chief Executive Officer of Touch Football Australia, Marcus Ashcroft, said the move ensures a world-class experience for athletes and supporters alike.
“TFA is excited to partner with FIT and Mid-Western Regional Council as we showcase elite Touch Football in regional New South Wales. Glen Willow Regional Sports Complex provides world-class facilities that will provide an exceptional experience for our Opens athletes, while Mudgee’s renowned hospitality makes it the perfect destination for both participants and supporters,” Ashcroft said
The game began in Australia in the early 1960s as a social sport and training method for rugby league players. The first official tournament was held in Sydney in 1968 before the sport quickly expanded to New Zealand and throughout the Pacific.
Today, Touch is played in more than 100 countries worldwide. FIT, established in 1985, now includes over 70 affiliated member nations and continues working to expand the sport’s global footprint.
