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Three tournaments, 14 nations, 26 teams, 53 matches, 31 days \u2013 the most competitive, ambitious and anticipated Rugby League World Cup will be played across three countries and nine host cities.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The draw for the 2026 events, to be held in October and November next year, was announced today, alongside the competition structure for the Men\u2019s, Women\u2019s and Wheelchair competitions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Brisbane\u2019s Suncorp Stadium will host the Final of the Men\u2019s and Women\u2019s tournaments, on Sunday, November 15. Wollongong\u2019s WIN Entertainment Centre will host the Wheelchair Final on Friday, November 13.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cRugby League World Cup 2026 couldn\u2019t come at a better time on the back of record-breaking NRL and NRLW seasons, a successful Ashes series, and the most exciting Pacific Championships ever,\u201d Australian Rugby League (ARLC)\u00a0Chairman\u00a0Peter V\u2019landys AM said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“Representing your country is the ultimate honour and doing so in a World Cup is the ultimate stage. The talent, skill, physicality, passion and raw emotion on display will be something like we have never seen before.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will be the best and most successful Rugby League World Cup on record.\u201d \u202f<\/p>\n
International Rugby League (IRL)\u00a0Chairman\u00a0Troy Grant\u00a0added:\u00a0\u201cInternational Rugby League has never been more competitive and there will be genuine superstars across all groups and stages in this tournament.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cA World Cup is about more than international glory. The biggest stars on the planet will put everything on the line for their country and fans will experience a level of passion and intensity that very few events can rival both on the field and in the stands.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the popularity of Rugby League soaring to unprecedented heights, the international game is riding a wave of momentum into what will be the biggest global showcase the game has seen across the Men\u2019s, Women\u2019s and Wheelchair formats next October and November.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tickets are on sale today for all Men\u2019s and Women\u2019s Group stage and Semi-Final matches from $19 (AUD) for adults and $49 (AUD) for families. Tickets for the Suncorp Stadium Final start from $39 (AUD) for adults) and $109 (AUD) for families.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The 10-team Men\u2019s tournament will include one pool of four and two pools of three nations. The pools are:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Group A\u00a0
Australia\u00a0\u00a0
New Zealand\u00a0\u00a0
Fiji\u00a0\u00a0
Cook Islands\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Group B\u00a0
England\u00a0\u00a0
Samoa\u00a0\u00a0
Lebanon\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Group C\u00a0
Tonga\u00a0\u00a0
PNG\u00a0\u00a0
France\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Group A teams will each play three matches against the other teams in Group A. Group B and C teams will each play three matches against the teams in the adjacent group (ie Group B teams will play Group C teams only).\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Men\u2019s tournament will kick off at Allianz Stadium on Thursday, October 15, with the heavyweight clash between the top two world-ranked teams, the Kangaroos and the Kiwis. The opening weekend will also feature a clash between England and Tonga at Perth\u2019s HBF Park, on Saturday, October 17.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Group stage culminates with a match between Pacific giants Tonga and Samoa, at CommBank Stadium, on Sunday, November 1.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The top two teams from Group A will progress to the Semi-Finals, while the top two teams from a combined table of Group B and Pool C will progress to the Semi-Finals.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Men\u2019s matches will be played across Sydney, Port Moresby, Perth, Newcastle, Christchurch, Brisbane, Wollongong, Gold Coast and Townsville.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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The eight-team Women\u2019s tournament will feature two Groups of four:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Group A\u00a0
Australia\u00a0\u00a0
England\u00a0\u00a0
Samoa\u00a0\u00a0
Wales\u00a0<\/p>\n
Group B\u00a0
New Zealand\u00a0\u00a0
PNG\u00a0\u00a0
France\u00a0\u00a0
Fiji\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Women\u2019s tournament will kick off on Friday, October 16 with a clash between the all-conquering Australian Jillaroos and Samoa at CommBank Stadium.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Each team will play three matches against the other teams in their Group. The top two teams from each Group will progress to the Semi-Finals.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Women\u2019s Group matches will be played across Sydney, Port Moresby, Perth, Newcastle, Christchurch, Wollongong and Gold Coast.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Newcastle\u2019s McDonald Jones Stadium and Sydney\u2019s Allianz Stadium will host double-header Semi-Finals across the Men\u2019s and Women\u2019s tournaments.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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The eight-team Wheelchair tournament, played in its entirety at Wollongong\u2019s WIN Entertainment Centre, features two groups of four:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Group A\u00a0
England\u00a0\u00a0
Ireland\u00a0\u00a0
Wales\u00a0\u00a0
USA\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Group B\u00a0
France\u00a0\u00a0
Australia\u00a0\u00a0
Scotland\u00a0\u00a0
New Zealand\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The opening match will coincide with a Men\u2019s and Women\u2019s double-header at WIN Stadium on October 30.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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The full draw is available at https:\/\/www.rlwc2026.com. <\/a><\/p>\n