Digicel-ExxonMobil Cup Launched 2025 Season

The wait is over as the premier rugby league competition in PNG, Digicel-ExxonMobil Cup, officially launched its 2025 season yesterday (April 8th) at the Gateway Hotel in Port Moresby.

Running into its 35th season, the elite competition looks forward to hosting its round one this weekend and delivering another successful season, despite facing a myriad of challenges over the years. 

No new teams will join the DEM Cup this season, with the twelve original teams from last season retaining their spots to battle for national glory.  

Two new bidders, the Morobe Kandes and Simbu Warriors, have shown keen interest in joining the semi-professional competition, but their bidding were unsuccessful. 

General Manager of Pathways & Performance, Tony Archer, said PNG’s successful bid to join the NRL by 2028 creates an opportunity for the DEM Cup to supply budding talents to the new franchise.

“The 12th of December 2024 changed rugby league’s history in this country when PNG’s bid to enter the NRL was approved,” Archer stated.

“One of the really important pieces of that development for the PNG NRL team in 2028 is the Digicel-ExxonMobil Cup and the pathway those clubs create.”

Mr. Archer highlighted that this year’s competition must run smoothly, urging the referees, players, coaches, and team management to be professionals and lead by example on and off the field.

“The players have been in the preseason for the last ten or twelve weeks, and the referees have been the same, trying the trial games and getting reviewed every game,” Archer emphasized.

“There will always be some debates around referees' decisions. Not everyone's going to agree with their decisions. Referees make mistakes, like everyone else in the game. 

“But you have to be really aware that they (referees) are held to account for their performances and if they don’t perform up to the standard of this particular competition, they will be dropped.

“I’m really confident that this year they will work hard and improve but like anyone else, they have to show strong performances to stay in this grade.

“These are the leaders of the club (referring to the captains) and they know that responsibility. They are the players that each club has picked as their leaders.”

Meanwhile, the inaugural U19 Youth competition and Santos Women’s competition will run simultaneously with the Digicel-ExxonMobil Cup, ensuring that these three competitions deliver a competitive and successful season.