When two teams finish level on competition points, their pool position is decided in this order, moving to the next step only if the tie survives:

1. Head-to-head — whoever won the match between the two ranks higher. If that match was drawn: 2. Points difference across all pool matches, then 3. Try difference, then 4. Most points scored, then 5. Most tries scored, and finally 6. a coin toss between the team managers.

Men: overall ranks 1–8 enter the Cup quarter-finals; ranks 9–16 enter the Bowl quarter-finals. Men’s ranks 17–24 do not enter these knockout tiers. U20: the top two teams from each pool enter the Cup quarter-finals; the bottom two enter the Bowl quarter-finals, seeded within those groups. Cup quarter-final losers enter the Plate semi-finals.

Women: all five teams play each other once. After the round robin, 1st plays 2nd in the Cup final (Game 105); 3rd plays 4th in the Plate final (Game 102).

If a knockout match is level at full time, extra time is played in 5-minute periods with teams changing ends between periods. The first team to score wins immediately — sudden death. The team that kicked off the match kicks off the first period of extra time.

Seven players a side, squads of 12 with fixed jersey numbers for the whole tournament, up to five replacements per match. All matches — including the finals — are 7-minute halves with a 2-minute half time interval. Matches run from 25–27 September 2026 at Scrum Oval, Lae. See the confirmed match schedule.

All matches are played under World Rugby Sevens variations. Tournament rules, their interpretation and application are at the sole discretion of the Organising Committee in consultation with the Tournament Director, whose decision is final.