The stage is set for a manic weekend at McMahon Stadium.
The Pacific Nations Cup opens there on Friday, Aug. 22nd at 7 p.m. The event will feature the Canadian men’s rugby team taking on the United States with an opportunity to qualify for the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup on the line.
The international rugby tournament includes competition between Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Canada, Japan and the U.S. The round-robin event sees each team play one match against the other squad.
After Canada’s match against the U.S., the team will travel to Japan for a matchup on Aug. 30th. All six teams will then go to the United States for playoffs in September. The top three teams in the tourney will qualify for the Rugby World Cup, not including Fiji and Japan, who have already punched their tickets to the event.
“As we now turn our focus to the opening match of the Pacific Nations Cup against the USA, we understand the importance of the occasion. The players and staff are focused, and we will continue to build throughout these critical matches in Calgary, Japan, and Denver,” said Canada Head Coach Stephen Meehan in an announcement on Rugby Canada’s website.

STAMPS VS. ROUGHRIDERS
When the rugby players clear out, the football players will take the field in a gridiron rivalry game between the top two teams in the Canadian Football League’s West Division.
The “Battle of the Prairies” will see the 6-3 Calgary Stampeders take on the 8-1 Saskatchewan Roughriders at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23rd at McMahon Stadium.
“I do fell like our team has good energy, now can we execute and beat a great opponent?” wondered Dave Dickenson, the head coach and general manager of the Stampeders during a recent media scrum.
“They’re playing good football, they’ve got a lot of talent … they’re playing what I consider winning football,” added Dickenson of the Roughriders.
“We’re excited for the challenge even though we know it’s a huge challenge. It’s always good to kind of see where you’re at in the season.”
The Stampeders handed the Roughriders their only loss of the season in July.
After Calgary’s game against Saskatchewan, the Stampeders will welcome the Edmonton Elks to McMahon Stadium for the Labour Day Classic on Monday, Sept. 1st.