The Pacific Games, is a continental multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from Oceania. The inaugural Games took place in 1963 in Suva, Fiji, and most recently in 2019 in Apia, Samoa. The Games were called the South Pacific Games from 1963 to 2007. The Pacific Games Council (PGC) organises the Games and oversees the host city's preparations. Athletes with a disability are included as full members of their national teams. In each sporting event, gold medals are awarded for first place, silver medals are awarded for second place, and bronze medals are awarded for third place.
The 2003 South Pacific Games were held in Suva, Fiji from 28 June to 12 July 2003. They are also known as the XII South Pacific Games.
Rugby union has been a men's medal sport at the South Pacific Games, being played at nine of the first ten competitions. The sport debuted at the inaugural 1963 games where the gold medal was won by the host nation. It was subsequently featured in the following games till the tenth games in 1995.
The 1963 South Pacific Games, held from 29 August to 9 September 1963 at Suva in Fiji, was the first edition of the South Pacific Games. The multisport games were established to engender bonds of friendship amongst peoples in the Pacific, after an idea originated by Dr A.H. Sahu Khan was adopted by the South Pacific Commission. At a meeting of nine Territories, held in Nouméa during March 1961, Fiji was awarded the honour of hosting the first Games.
Boxing at the Pacific Games has been contested since 1963 when it was included as one of ten sports at the First South Pacific Games held in Suva, Fiji. There are presently ten weight classes for the men's competition at the Pacific Games, known as the South Pacific Games prior to 2011, in accordance with the (amateur) International Boxing Association (AIBA) classifications.
Rugby sevens at the Pacific Games was played for the first time at the 1999 South Pacific Games with only the men's tournament. The women's tournament was contested for the first time at the 2011 Pacific Games. The champions for the inaugural rugby sevens tournament in 1999 were Fiji for the men and in 2011 were also Fiji for the women. Prior to 1999, 15-a-side matches were played between the 1963–1995 games.
The 1966 South Pacific Games, held at Nouméa in New Caledonia from 8–18 December 1966, was the second edition of the South Pacific Games.
The 1997 South Pacific Mini Games were held at Pago Pago in American Samoa from 11 to 22 August 1997. It was the fifth edition of the South Pacific Mini Games. It was much larger than previous editions, with an almost doubling of the number of medals awarded compared to the 1993 South Pacific Mini Games. The impressive performances by Nauru in weightlifting continued in Pago Pago, with the tiny nation finishing on top of the unofficial medal table after winning 33 gold.
The 1995 South Pacific Games, held at Papeete in French Polynesia from 25 August to 5 September 1995, was the tenth edition of the South Pacific Games.
The 1987 South Pacific Games, held from 8–20 December 1987 at Nouméa in New Caledonia, was the eight edition of the South Pacific Games. Political events of the time affected the Games in 1987 and the number of competitors were down. Fiji had two military coups in 1987, and within New Caledonia itself, the Games became a focus of protest in the Kanak independence struggle. The French territories of New Caledonia and French Polynesia had the largest teams and dominated the medal count, with Papua New Guinea finishing third ahead of a depleted Fijian team.
The 1979 South Pacific Games, held at Suva in Fiji from 28 August to 8 September 1979, was the sixth edition of the South Pacific Games.
Netball at the Pacific Games has been an optional Pacific Games sport since 1963. Fiji have been the tournament's most successful team, winning seven gold medals. Cook Islands have won four gold medals. To date, only the Cook Islands and Fiji have won netball gold at the Pacific Games.
Volleyball at the Pacific Games has been played since 1963.
Tennis at the Pacific Games has been contested since 1963 when it was included as one of ten sports at the First South Pacific Games held in Suva, Fiji.
Weightlifting at the Pacific Games has been contested since 1966 when it was included as one of twelve sports at the Second South Pacific Games held in Nouméa, New Caledonia. A weightlifting competition for women was introduced in 1995 for the games in Papeete.
Swimming competitions have been held at the Pacific Games since the inaugural edition in 1963 at every Games except for 1983. Swimming has also been held once at the South Pacific Mini Games, in 2005.
Sailing at the Pacific Games was first contested when the sport was added for the 1969 games at Port Moresby. It has also been included at several of the Pacific Mini Games, starting with the fifth edition held in American Samoa in 1997.
Triathlon at the Pacific Games was first contested at the 1995 games at Papeete. It has also been included in the Pacific Mini Games, firstly at Norfolk Island in 2001.
Badminton has been contested at the Pacific Games since 2003 when it was included as one of ten sports at the Eleventh South Pacific Games held in Suva, Fiji. Badminton was added to Pacific Mini Games for the seventh edition held at Saipan in 2022.
Judo has been contested at the Pacific Games since 1969 when it was included in the Third South Pacific Games held in Port Moresby.| Judo has also been included at the Pacific Mini Games held at Port Vila in 2017.
