Sport in Fiji

Fiji

The island nation of Fiji in the South Pacific Ocean has a particular love of Rugby Union, with the Flying Fijians punching way above their weight in the sport for a country with a population of just over 900,000. Rugby League, Football and Netball are also popular in Fiji.

The ANZ National Stadium is the country’s primary stadium, hosting the country’s international rugby and football teams. The stadium opened in 1951 and has a seated capacity of 4,300, with concrete and grass embankments increasing this to 15,000 people.

For active tourists, watersports are widely found in Fiji, in particular surfing. For golfers, there are six 18-hole courses spread throughout the country.

Key Information

Capital – Suva
Currency – Fijian dollar (FJD)
Official Languages – English, Fijian & Fiji Hindi
Population – 926,276
Time – GMT+12


Sport in Fiji

Rugby Union in Fiji

Rugby Union is by far the most popular sport in Fiji, the national team is known as the Flying Fijians and have competed in several Rugby World Cup’s, reaching the quarter-final in both 1987 and 2007. The national rugby sevens team is one of the most successful and popular teams on the World Rugby Seven Series, with the team winning Fiji’s first ever Olympic medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics, winning gold in Rio de Janeiro by defeating Great Britain 43–7 in the final which sparked wild celebrations back home.

The country’s primary domestic competition is the Skipper Cup, running from May to September and contested between the country’s top 12 provincial sides.

Rugby League in Fiji

Rugby League is also popular in Fiji, with the national team (known as the Bati) reaching semi-finals in the Rugby League World Cup in 2008, 2013 and 2019. The primary domestic competition features six zones of 8 teams, who of 14 Rounds and Finals. Each Zone plays their own competition with 16 teams going through from all 6 Zones into a knockout phase until the champion is decided in a Final.

The Fiji National Rugby League competition runs from ? to August and features two conferences based around Nadi and Suva, with the top teams competing in the Finals.

Football in Fiji

Football has traditionally been a minority sport in Fiji but has gained in popularity in recent years. The national team, known as the Bula Boys have never made the finals of the FIFA World Cup but did qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics, where they lost all three matches to Germany, Mexico and South Korea.

The Fiji Premier League is an eight team competition played from January to September, with the bottom club after a 14 match season relegated to the Fiji Senior League.

Golf in Fiji

Fiji was very much put on the golfing map by former world number 1 Vijay Singh, who won three major championships – The Masters in 2000 and the PGA Championships in 1998 and 2004. The Fiji International was a European Tour event between 2016 and 2018, played at the Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course in Natadola.

The country has five other 18-hole courses including The Pearl at Rovodrau Bay, Denarau near Nadi, the Fiji Club in Suva, the Nadi Airport Club and Laucala Island.

Surfing in Fiji

Surfing is a very popular sport in Fiji, with great waves to be found all year round at the famed Cloudbreak and Restaurants, as well as Frigate Passage, King Kong Lefts, Namotu Left and Natadola Beach.

Diving in Fiji

Fiji is a great place for divers, with clear waters and an active reef life. You can dive with bull and tiger sharks at the Beqa Lagoon, get up close to Manta Rays at Nanuya Balavu or visit the famed Rainbow Reef at the Great White Wall in Taveuni.

Sailing in Fiji

Musket Cove every September hosts the Fiji Regatta Week. Other sailing destinations on the island nation include Port Denarau, the Royal Suva Yacht Club and Savusavu.

Hiking in Fiji

Fiji is a great place for hiking, with the island of Taveuni the pick of the bunch. There are also some great trails such as Ciki-i-Suva Forest Park, Des Voeux Peak, the 5 kilometre Lavena Coastal Walk, the Koroyanitu National Heritage Park or the nation’s highest peak at Mount Tomanivi.


Travelling to Fiji & Visa

Most international travellers to Fiji arrive at Nadi International Airport, with flights to destinations such as Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Samoa, Singapore, Tonga and the United States. The airport is located 10 km from the city of Nadi and 20 km from the city of Lautoka but over 190 kilometres from the nation’s largest city and capital, Suva.

Nausori International Airport is the country’s second largest airport and primarily offers domestic flights but does offer some services to Auckland and Sydney. The airport is approximately 23 kilometres from Suva.

Thinking of flying to Fiji? Search & book your flights through Skyscanner.

Entry Requirements & Visas

A free tourist visa for stays of up to 4 months is available upon arrival for citizens of more than 100 countries, subject to having proof of onward travel and a passport valid for 3 months longer than date of departure.

If you are a UK citizen, you can view the UK’s government latest advice on entry requirements to Fiji by clicking here. For other passport holders, consult your own government’s travel advice for entry to Fiji.


Travelling around Fiji

Car Hire – Hiring a car is a relatively easy way of travelling around the larger islands of Fiji, meaning you can dictate your own itinerary and pace. There are many companies offering car hire and can be found across most major towns, with one-way hire often available.

Thinking of hiring a car in the Fiji? Search & book through Skyscanner here.


Where to stay in Fiji

Use TripAdvisor to find some great places to stay in Fiji by clicking here.

TripAdvisor

What to do in Fiji

Visions of Fiji obviously conjure images of idyllic beaches and there are some truly outstanding beaches to be found, with special mentions to Caqalai, Long Beach and Modriki. However there is more to Fiji than just beaches, with highlights including the traditional Navala Village, the Sawa-i-Lau Cave, the Nausori Highlands or the Waitavala Water Slide.

Last Updated on August 6, 2021 by Sports Tourist

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