South Pacific supporters face US$50 overseas pay-per-view cost to watch MSG Cup

The 2026 MSG Prime Minister’s Cup is bringing major Melanesian international football back to Fiji, but many supporters outside the country face a significant cost to follow their teams live.

Mai TV has announced pay-per-view coverage of the tournament, including every football match, the opening and closing ceremonies and the Cultural Night programme. The package is priced at FJD$50 for local viewers and US$50 for overseas viewers.

For supporters in Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia and the wider Pacific diaspora, the overseas price has become an important issue. The MSG Cup is a regional event built on Melanesian identity and rivalry, but many of its most passionate supporters live outside Fiji and cannot attend matches at HFC Bank Stadium.

Mai TV’s current promotion does not include a free online stream. The broadcaster’s advertised option for overseas viewers is the US$50 pay-per-view package.

The situation creates a difficult balance. Live sports coverage requires investment in cameras, production staff, commentary, broadcast infrastructure and online streaming. Pay-per-view revenue can help a broadcaster recover those costs and improve the quality of the product.

However, the MSG Cup is also a tournament with a special regional role. It is not simply a domestic event. Every participating nation has supporters across the South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand and other overseas communities who want access to their national teams.

The first men’s matchday showed exactly why interest is high. Papua New Guinea came from behind to defeat defending champions Vanuatu 2-1, while Fiji and Solomon Islands produced a six-goal thriller that ended 3-3 after a late Bonitos comeback.

With only the top two teams progressing to the final, the tournament still has several decisive matches ahead. Fans want to see whether Fiji can use home advantage, whether Vanuatu can defend their title, whether Papua New Guinea can continue their strong start and whether Solomon Islands can build on their comeback.

The football is attracting attention across Melanesia. The question now is how many supporters will be able to afford to watch it live.