The Rugby League World Cup 2026 will see Seven re-establish itself as the home of global rugby league action, uniting fans from across the nation.

Rugby League is making its comeback to the Seven Network for the first time since 2017, with the broadcaster securing exclusive Australian rights to air the Rugby League World Cup 2026 (RLWC2026) live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport.

Coverage will begin on 15 October 2026, kicking off with a major opener between Australia and New Zealand at Allianz Stadium in Sydney. The month-long event will feature 18 men’s, 15 women’s, and 20 wheelchair matches, celebrating the best of international rugby league.

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Hosted across Australia, the tournament will include 26 teams from around the world — among them England, Tonga and Samoa — with several games also set to take place in Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.

Seven West Media Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Howard said the partnership marked another major step in Seven’s sports coverage.

“Seven is proud to be the unrivalled home of Australian sport.

The Rugby League World Cup is a significant world-class event and hosting it on home soil makes it even more special.

It’s exactly the kind of premium sporting content Seven is known for and committed to delivering – live, free and exclusively to all Australians.

Thank you to the Australian Rugby League Commission, Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo for championing this deal, and we’re looking forward to delivering this outstanding event, in a way that only Seven can do, to Australian audiences in 2026.”

Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V’landys AM said the World Cup would showcase the global strength of the game.

“Growing the international game has been a key focus of the Commission and nothing compares to the passion, excitement and sheer intensity of a Rugby League World Cup.

Big hits, brilliant athleticism and epic finishes — this World Cup will have it all, and more.

With all men’s, women’s and wheelchair Rugby League World Cup matches available live and free right across Australia, this partnership will give every Australian unprecedented access to the biggest games on the Rugby League calendar.”

Seven’s exclusive coverage of the Rugby League World Cup 2026 will air live and free across Seven and 7plus Sport from 15 October to 15 November 2026.

Rugby League World Cup 2026 – Live and Free on Seven and 7plus from 15 October 2026

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