The RLWC 2026 tournament is set to become one of the biggest international rugby events in the world. Fans across Australia kangaroos, New Zealand kiwis, England, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji bati, and Papua New Guinea PNG are preparing for an unforgettable month of elite rugby league action.
The Rugby League World Cup 2026 will feature the world’s best international teams competing for global glory across major stadiums in Australia and the Pacific region.
RLWC 2026 Tournament Overview
Tournament
RLWC 2026
Full Name
Rugby League World Cup 2026
Sport
Rugby League
Host Region
Australia & Pacific
Competition Format
Group Stage + Knockout
Expected Teams
16 Nations
Final Match
November 2026
The Rugby League World Cup continues growing globally, especially with the rapid rise of Pacific rugby league nations.
RLWC 2026 Opening Fixtures
Rugby League World Cup Opening Week
Date
Fixture
Venue
Oct 23, 2026
Australia vs France
Sydney
Oct 24, 2026
New Zealand vs Fiji
Auckland
Oct 24, 2026
England vs Samoa
Brisbane
Oct 25, 2026
Tonga vs Papua New Guinea
Melbourne
These opening RLWC matches are expected to attract massive global audiences.
Rugby League World Cup 2026 Group Stage Schedule
Week 2 Fixtures
Date
Match
Oct 27
Australia vs Wales
Oct 28
England vs France
Oct 29
New Zealand vs Samoa
Oct 30
Tonga vs Fiji
Week 3 Fixtures
Date
Match
Nov 1
Australia vs Samoa
Nov 2
England vs Papua New Guinea
Nov 3
New Zealand vs Tonga
Nov 4
Fiji vs France
RLWC 2026 Quarterfinal Fixtures
Date
Match
Nov 7
Quarterfinal 1
Nov 8
Quarterfinal 2
Nov 8
Quarterfinal 3
Nov 9
Quarterfinal 4
The Rugby League World Cup knockout stage always produces dramatic matches and unforgettable moments.
Group Stage Matches
Date
Match
Venue
Oct 15
Australia vs New Zealand
Sydney
Oct 16
Samoa vs France
Sydney
Oct 17
England vs Tonga
Perth
Oct 17
Papua New Guinea vs Lebanon
Port Moresby
Oct 18
Fiji vs Cook Islands
Brisbane
Oct 20
Australia vs Cook Islands
Melbourne
Oct 21
New Zealand vs Fiji
Auckland
Oct 22
England vs Lebanon
Perth
Oct 22
Samoa vs Tonga
Sydney
Oct 23
Papua New Guinea vs France
Port Moresby
Oct 25
Australia vs Fiji
Brisbane
Oct 25
New Zealand vs Cook Islands
Christchurch
Oct 26
England vs Samoa
Perth
Oct 27
Tonga vs France
Sydney
Oct 28
Papua New Guinea vs Tonga
Port Moresby
Oct 29
Lebanon vs France
Sydney
Oct 31
New Zealand vs Fiji
Gold Coast
Nov 1
Tonga vs Samoa
Parramatta
Rugby League World Cup 2026 Semifinal Schedule
Date
Match
Nov 13
Semifinal 1
Nov 14
Semifinal 2
RLWC 2026 Final
Date
Match
Nov 21, 2026
Rugby League World Cup Final
The RLWC 2026 Final is expected to be one of the biggest rugby league events ever hosted in Australia.
Teams Expected in RLWC 2026
Major rugby league nations expected to compete include:
Australia national rugby league team
New Zealand national rugby league team
England national rugby league team
Samoa national rugby league team
Tonga national rugby league team
Fiji national rugby league team
Papua New Guinea national rugby league team
Biggest RLWC 2026 Matches to Watch
Australia Kangaroos vs New Zealand Kiwis
One of the biggest rivalries in international rugby league.
England vs Tao Samoa
A highly anticipated clash after Samoa’s recent international rise.
Mate Ma’a Tonga vs Fiji Bati
Pacific rugby league rivalry with huge passion and physical intensity.
Australia vs Samoa
Could become one of the tournament’s biggest group-stage matches.
Rugby League World Cup 2026 Ticket Information
Fans are strongly encouraged to buy tickets early because:
Opening matches may sell out quickly
Pacific nation matches attract huge crowds
Semifinals and final expected to sell out
International demand is rising
Official RLWC Ticket Portal
Official tickets for RLWC 2026 are now available through Ticketmaster Australia: Buy RLWC 2026 Tickets
How to Watch RLWC 2026 Live Streaming
The Rugby League World Cup 2026 is expected to broadcast globally.
Possible Broadcasters
Fox League
Sky Sport NZ
BBC Sport
Kayo Sports
International rugby streaming services
Broadcast schedules will be officially announced closer to kickoff.
RLWC 2026 Stadiums
Expected Rugby League World Cup venues include:
Accor Stadium
Suncorp Stadium
AAMI Park
Eden Park
Newcastle Stadium
These venues regularly host:
NRL Finals
State of Origin
International rugby league matches
Major sporting events
RLWC 2026 Favorites
Australia
The defending powerhouse with incredible NRL depth.
New Zealand
Always a dangerous international rugby league side.
England
Continuing to improve at international level.
Samoa
One of the fastest-rising rugby league nations.
Tonga
Massive physicality and passionate supporters.
Rugby League World Cup 2026 Prediction
Predicted Semifinalists
Australia
New Zealand
England
Samoa
Predicted RLWC Final
Australia vs New Zealand
Predicted Champion
Australia
However, Pacific nations are becoming stronger every year, making RLWC 2026 potentially the most competitive Rugby League World Cup ever.
Final Thoughts on RLWC 2026
The Rugby League World Cup 2026 promises:
Elite international rugby league
Massive stadium crowds
Fierce rivalries
NRL superstars
Historic Pacific nation moments
Dramatic knockout rugby
With growing worldwide interest in rugby league, RLWC 2026 could become one of the biggest international rugby tournaments ever staged.
Fans can secure tickets now through the official Ticketmaster Australia page: