[5][6][7] Five Pacific Island countries expressed interests in hosting the fifteenth edition of the games as soon as the bidding process began.

The country's ability to host the event in time was uncertain in 2011, according to the PNG Pacific Games organizers.

Kundun said the purpose of the games baton was to unite the people of Papua New Guinea, and the kundu drum was the perfect fit.

The baton paid a special visit to Cairns, Australia, on June 20 to give the sizable Papua New Guinean community a chance to see it firsthand.

[13] The relay proceeded for the following five days when the baton landed in the National Capital District (the host province) on June 29.

[14] The baton ended its journey at the opening ceremony on 4 July 2015, where Olympian and Commonwealth weightlifting champion Dika Toua took to the heights of the Sir John Guise Stadium to light the Games Cauldron.

The inclusion of Australia and New Zealand was on a trial basis, with a review scheduled after the Games to determine its success.

[18] Host nation The opening ceremony was held at the Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, between 18:00 and 22:00 (GMT+10), on 4 July 2015.

[19] Airleke Ingram was its artistic director, with executive producer being Merryn Hughes from the Makoda Productions.

A special performance by Sir George Telek and a medley from Papua New Guinea's all-time music greats - the Paramana Strangers, Pati Potts Doi, and Tom Larry.

As per games tradition, each PGA paraded into the arena for the opening ceremony with each delegation being led by a flag bearer from their respective teams.

Following tradition, the host of the previous games, New Caledonia, enters first followed by the rest of the participating PGA's in alphabetical order.

The official mascot for the 2015 games, 'Tura the Kokomo', was designed by a 13-year-old boy named Taka Seigori from Tubuseria, a motuan village - located 30 minutes drive from Port Moresby.

[25] ^e Men's softball was not able to be included in the program as the sport did not meet the criterion of the Pacific Games charter requiring nominations for the event from at least six countries.

[26][27] ^f Swimming: The schedule for Taurama Pool included 40 events; 19 for men, 19 for women, and two mixed team relays.