Rugby football is a popular sport among Samoans, who have long played for New Zealand and Samoan national teams. Communities in Samoa sometimes play Kirikiti, which is similar to cricket but involves teams of unrestricted size; games are social as well as sporting events, with spirited cheering and singing by spectators and unlimited food and drinks provided by the host village.

Samoans and other Polynesians have used outrigger canoes since establishing their first island settlements. Most of the canoes are confined to lagoons, but many are also paddled in ocean races. Footracing, cockfighting, tiak (darts), and spear throwing are also traditional Samoan sports.

Brian Lima is a former Samoan rugby union footballer who was inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame in 2011.He earned the memorable nickname of "The Chiropractor" for his shuddering hits both on and off the pitch that supposedly rearrange the bones of the victim. According to the Samoa Observer, Lima announced that he would retire after the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

Michael Jones, the Manu Samoa coach, announced Brian Lima as the captain for the first game of that year's Pacific Nations Cup. Brian Lima has been selected to lead Samoa against Fiji. This game was one of Brian's last games on Samoan soil. Western Samoa has played in every Rugby World Cup since the 1991 Rugby World Cup. Their omission from the inaugural tournament in 1987 was controversial, as there were no qualifications.

Below are details of sports, sporting events and sports people related to Samoa. Is there something missing? If you know of something that should be listed here, please let us know.

Popular sports of Samoa

Traditional or Regional Sports

Samoa Sporting Success

  • The Samoan women's team (Manusina) won the 2023 Oceania Rugby Women's Championship
  • Samoa reached the quarter-finals of the 1991 Rugby World Cup
  • Samoa won a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics

Great athletes from Samoa

  • Brian Lima (rugby union)
  • Apollo Perelini (rugby union)
  • David Tua (Boxing)

Samoa at major events

Past sporting events hosted in Samoa

Upcoming sporting events in Samoa

  • IWF Weightlifting World Cup 2026: This event will be held between April 25 - May 1, 2026
  • Triathlon National Champs: This event will be held between May 22-23, 2026
  • Samoa Swim Series: This event will be held between July 20-25, 2026
  • Samoa Islands Warrior Triathlon: This event will be held in August, 2026
  • Teuila Festival 2026 Tag Tournament: This event will be held between September 10-12, 2026

Annual sporting events held in Samoa

  • The Teuila Festival 
  • The Samoa International Games
  • The Samoa National Games

Sporting Facilities in Samoa

  • Apia Park Sports Complex
  • Faleata Sports Complex