Rugby
Bigger and Bolder: Marist 7s Expands to 24 Teams & $20K Prize
By Jeannie Penehuro/
Apia, 18 February 2026 – The 37th Marist Sevens Tournament is set to be one of the highlights of this year’s Independence celebrations, kicking off 5 – 6 June at Apia Park with backing from major sponsor Vailima Breweries.
In a major shift for the annual event, the Organizing Committee has announced an expanded format and prize money, aiming to elevate local talent to the international stage.
A Legacy of Development for Marist Club leadership, the tournament is about more than just a trophy.
President of Marist St. Josephs Sports Club, Lemalu John Lemisio emphasized that the club’s “Sports Season” concept established in 2017, was designed to benchmark local competitions against international standards.
“Since 2017, we have tried to run the Marist Club to international standards so that players who play different sports can become international players,” Lemalu said.
He noted the success of this approach during the recent Pacific Games where many athletes who developed through Marist tournaments went on to win gold medals.
“We are still trying to contribute… to push the talents of our young generations.”
New Format, Bigger Rewards Tournament Director, Taupa’ū Alex Mikaele revealed that the Men’s division will expand from 16 to 24 teams this year.
The teams will compete for the Tupua Fred Wetzell Cup and a champion’s purse of $20,000 talā. The Women’s Tournament winner will take home $5,000 talā.
Taupa’ū assured teams that the new format offers a safety net. “Even if things go wrong on the first day, you are still qualified,” he explained.
“There will be qualifying rounds… every team is qualified for the Championship Cup.”
International Interest and Top Seeds in the line-up for the 24-team format is already taking shape. The top eight teams from 2024 are:
- Tepatasi
- Marist St Josephs
- Siumu
- Vaimoso
- Afega
- Moata’a
- Satalo
- Lauli’i
They will be joined by Lotofaga and Safata who won the Challenge Cup in 2024.
Taupa’ū added that the remaining spots are generating global interest.
“Fiji, Tonga, NZ, and American Samoa are interested in participating, not only in the tournament but also in the independence celebrations this year.” The final spots will be determined by the committee based on team standings.
The 37th Marist Tournament represents a significant evolution for the event, blending celebration with high-stakes competition. By expanding the field to 24 teams and offering a substantial $20,000 prize purse, the organizers have underscored their commitment to elevating local rugby to international standards.
With top-tier local teams already confirmed and expressions of interest from neighbouring Pacific nations, the tournament is poised to be a centerpiece of the Independence celebrations.
Ultimately, this year’s event aims to honour the legacy of the Marist Club by continuing to provide a vital platform for the next generation of gold medalists and international athletes.