Tonga is putting its hand up to host the 2027 Pacific Games. 

The bid comes two years after it pulled the plug on the 2019 edition of the region's largest sporting event, which then compelled Samoa to bid to take on the challenge.

Tonga is one of six countries in the region that has expressed interest in hosting the biggest sporting event in the Pacific. 

The bid was among several matters that were on the agenda during the Pacific Games Council annual general assembly meeting held at the Sheraton Samoa on Sunday.. 

Amongst the other six island nations is Fiji – the host of the first Games which was held in its capital Suva in 1963. Fiji has since hosted the event in 1979 and 2003. 

Vanuatu, which is yet to play host to the Games, has also announced its intention to bid for the 2027 event. 

Other countries that have thrown their names into the hat include American Samoa, which failed to get Pacific Games Council support to host the 2025 Pacific Mini Games. 

The largest French Polynesian island of Tahiti had also expressed interest in taking on the event. Tahiti had first welcomed the South Pacific Games on its land in 1971 and then again 1995. 

The expression of interest from the island nations was noted by the Pacific Games Council and will now go through the bidding process.