The 2026 Rugby League World Cup is just around the corner and the excitement is building for the tournament in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
France were originally scheduled to host the now-delayed competition in 2025, but ultimately pulled out, leading to Australia being named as the main host of the tournament.
The host nation have won 13 of the 17 versions of this tournament to this point and are searching for their fourth consecutive tournament win in 2026.
Here's everything you need to know ahead of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
2026 Rugby League World Cup dates
The 2026 Rugby League World Cup will get underway on 15th October, culminating in the final on 15th November 2026.
2026 Rugby League World Cup schedule
The pool stages of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup will take place over the course of three rounds between 15th October and 1st November 2026.
The knockout stages begin with semi finals on 7th and 8th November, with the final set to take place in Sydney on 15th November 2026.
2026 Rugby League World Cup location
The 2026 Rugby League World Cup was due to be held in France, but - due to France pulling out of being hosts, Australia will host the tournament, with matches also being held in New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
2026 Rugby League World Cup venues
Australia
- Lang Park, Brisbane
- Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
- Newcastle International Sports Centre, Newcastle
- Western Sydney Stadium, Sydney
- Robina Stadium, Gold Coast
- Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth
- North Queensland Stadium, Townsville
- Wollongong Showgrounds, Wollongong
New Zealand
- Te Kaha, Christchurch
Papua New Guinea
- National Stadium, Port Moresby
2026 Rugby League World Cup teams and pools
Controversially, there will be just 10 teams competing in the 2026 tournament - reduced from the usual 16 - with International Rugby League (IRL) claiming the reduction was to improve the competitiveness of matches in order to showcase the sport better.
Teams
- Australia
- Cook Islands
- England
- Fiji
- France
- Lebanon
- New Zealand
- Papua New Guinea
- Samoa
- Tonga
Pools
Pool A
- Australia
- Cook Islands
- Fiji
- New Zealand
Pools B & C
Pool B
- England
- Lebanon
- Samoa
Pool C
- France
- Papua New Guinea
- Tonga
Rugby League World Cup history
The next tournament will be the 17th edition of the Rugby League World Cup, with the first event taking place all the way back in 1954.
It was Great Britain who won the first edition of the competition, beating hosts France 16-12 at the Parc des Princes in Paris.
There have only been three different nations to have been crowned world champions, with 12-time winners Australia the dominant force.
The Aussies have won the last three editions of the World Cup, beating Samoa 30-10 in the 2021 final.
Playing as a united Great Britain, GB won the title in 1954, 1960 and 1972, while New Zealand got their hands on the trophy on one occasion in 2008.
