The fourth annual Queensland United Nations Cultural Cup (QUNCC) took place over the weekend at Beenleigh's Bill Norris Oval, drawing more than 80 teams from across the Pacific and Indigenous Australia.

Held across three days, the carnival celebrated culture through sport, with community, language, and identity woven into every division, performance and sideline.

The 2025 champions list was dominated by Indigenous teams, who took out eight divisions, including all Mixed Opens and age group finals from Under 12 Boys to Under 16 Girls.

Te Ao Māori claimed four titles, winning the Under 10s, Under 12 Girls, Open Men's and Masters Mixed divisions.

Samoa won three - the Under 8s, Under 14 Girls and Seniors Mixed - while other nations competing included Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, Niue and Fiji, who joined as the carnival's first-ever international invitee.

QUNCC co-founder and Samoan representative Margaret Sialape said the event was built as an alternative to existing competitions, with a clear community focus.

"We wanted to run it for our people, the way our people would want it run," she said.

"We pulled away from the existing all nations and created a smaller one, where everybody gets to have fun, you know, with the island music and things like that."

Ms Sialape said the tournament allows families to take to the field together, with cultural pride at the core.

"It's about instilling culture and having kids proud of where their bloodline comes from," she said.

"Every year, a different nation hosts - it gives every team the chance to do things their way."

Organiser Salley Tuiala said this year was QUNCC's biggest yet, with eight nations involved and growing interest from overseas.

"This is probably one of our best years we've had," she said.

"We had an invitational side from Fiji, which was our first international team, and the Cook Islands returned as well."

Ms Tuiala said the event is just as much about learning and sharing culture as it is about competition.

"It's not just about touch," she said. "It's about how we can be respectful through culture, how we learn from each other, both on and off the field."

The 2025 event was hosted by the Indigenous side with special credit to Grayson Morgan, Moesha Graham and Marlon Doak leading the organising committee.

Mr Morgan said despite some behind-the-scenes challenges, the weekend ran smoothly.

"There were a few hiccups and speed bumps along the way, but nothing we couldn't handle," he said.

"Each year it's growing bigger and bigger. More divisions, more talent, more people wanting to be involved."

Mr Morgan said the inclusion of cultural performances and shared experiences gave the carnival its point of difference.

"We're playing touch, yeah, but the bigger message is about inviting all the cultures and experiencing them," he said.

"From the performances during the day to the food stalls, to just playing for your nation - it's about sharing that."

Ms Tuiala said performances, food stalls and language all form part of the experience, with plans already underway to expand the tournament in 2026.