Asia Rugby has officially announced its much anticipated 2025 competitions calendar, setting the stage for a thrilling year of rugby across the continent. The action-packed season will feature key matches with major implications, including qualification pathways for the Rugby World Cup 2027.
Kick-off: Asia Rugby Emirates Playoff Match
The season begins with the highly anticipated Asia Rugby Emirates Playoff match between Malaysia and Sri Lanka. As the winners of Division 1 last year, Sri Lanka will face Malaysia, the fourth-place finisher from the previous year’s Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship. The winner of this crucial match will secure a spot in the Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship 2025, which serves as a Rugby World Cup 2027 qualification tournament.
Asia Rugby Emirates Women’s Championship in Fukuoka, Japan
Japan will host the Asia Rugby Emirates Women’s Championship, featuring matches against Kazakhstan and Hong Kong China in Fukuoka. This tournament will be critical for defending champions Japan as they prepare for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 in England.
Match Schedule:
- May 15: Japan vs. Kazakhstan
- May 20: Kazakhstan vs. Hong Kong China
- May 25: Hong Kong China vs. Japan
Japan’s dominant performance last year secured their place in the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, and this championship will serve as an important stepping stone for their preparations. While Japan enters as the favorite, Kazakhstan and Hong Kong China will provide formidable competition.
The Showdown: Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship
The premier event of 2025 will be the Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship, with a direct qualification spot for Rugby World Cup 2027 on the line. With Japan already qualified, the championship winner will secure their place at the global event. The runner-up will continue their World Cup qualification journey, facing Africa 2 in July (date TBC), with hopes of advancing to the final qualification tournament in Q4 of 2025.
2025 Emirates Men’s Championship Schedule:
- June 13: Malaysia or Sri Lanka vs. Korea (Malaysia or Sri Lanka)
- June 14: UAE vs. Hong Kong China (Dubai, UAE)
- June 21: Korea vs. UAE (Incheon, Korea)
- June 22: Hong Kong China vs. Malaysia or Sri Lanka (Hong Kong, China)
- July 4: Malaysia or Sri Lanka vs. UAE (Malaysia or Sri Lanka)
- July 5: Korea vs. Hong Kong China (Incheon, Korea)
Reigning champions Hong Kong China will aim for their sixth consecutive title, while United Arab Emirates, last year’s runners-up, will look to challenge for the top spot. Korea, a perennial contender, will also be a strong competitor in the tournament.
Live Broadcast and Global Coverage
Both the Emirates Men’s and Women’s Championship will be broadcasted live on Asia Rugby’s social media platforms and RugbyPass.tv, ensuring fans across the globe don’t miss a moment of the action.
Asia Rugby Leadership’s Perspective
Asia Rugby Competitions Committee Chairperson, Mr. Asanga Seneviratne, shared his excitement for the 2025 season:
“The 2025 season marks an exciting new chapter for Asia Rugby as we witness teams battling for the prestigious Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship. The winner will directly qualify for the Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia. We are also preparing for an enhanced, inclusive, and dynamic Sevens season in 2025, with the format announcement coming soon.”
Asia Rugby Deputy President, Mr. Terence Khoo, emphasised the significance of this milestone:
“For the first time in history, Asia’s top team will qualify directly for the Rugby World Cup. This achievement is a testament to the sport’s growth in the region and the determination of Asia Rugby leadership in providing global opportunities for our teams.”
Sevens Rugby Takes Center Stage in the Second Half of 2025
The latter half of 2025 will shift focus to Sevens Rugby, with the goal of providing all 36 member unions opportunities to participate in international competitions. Asia Rugby is in discussions with World Rugby to launch a new Sevens Tournament structure, including an expanded Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series and a sub-regional Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Trophy, designed to reduce travel distances and boost participation.
Looking Ahead: A Landmark Year for Asia Rugby
With high stakes matches, regional rivalries, and Rugby World Cup qualification spots up for grabs, 2025 promises to be a landmark year for rugby in Asia. From the fiercely contested Men’s and Women’s Championships to the dynamic Sevens season, Asia Rugby is set for an exhilarating year ahead.
Stay tuned for more updates and don’t miss a second of the action!
