Australia will host the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, as announced by the International Rugby League.
Originally scheduled to take place in France in 2025, the tournament was moved because France withdrew after failing to secure necessary government support. Now, Australia will hold the men’s, women’s, and wheelchair World Cups in October and November 2026, with some matches also taking place in Papua New Guinea.
Last year, New Zealand expressed interest in hosting the tournament in 2025, but the IRL chose to delay the event until 2026 to ensure its success.
Peter V’landys, the chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission, stated that the 2026 World Cup will be the most “culturally diverse” ever, helping to establish rugby league as the top sport in the Pacific region.
Australia last hosted the World Cup in 2017.
The 2025 men’s tournament was initially planned for 16 teams, but it will now feature 10 teams in 2026. The women’s and wheelchair tournaments will each have eight teams. IRL chair Troy Grant emphasized that the 2026 World Cup will showcase competitive matches, with some games potentially being double or triple headers, offering great value for fans.
This event aims to highlight the culture, diversity, and competitiveness of participating nations, capturing global audiences’ attention and further promoting rugby league around the world.
