RLWC 2026 Draw, Venue & Crowds

[mccarthyj367]

Semi-reliable leaks
Take with a grain of salt i guess

The only thing I can think is that the pool of 4 will contain seeds 1 and 2 (e.g. Aus and NZ), and two pools of three have seeds 3 and 4.

 

[adamkungl]

The only thing I can think is that the pool of 4 will contain seeds 1 and 2 (e.g. Aus and NZ), and two pools of three have seeds 3 and 4.

Yes. And it's been reported as the opening match by the host broadcaster.

Rugby League World Cup arrives on Seven and 7plus Sport

Australia’s chase for glory will air live, free and exclusive as part of Seven’s supercharged rugby league coverage.

7news.com.au

What we know:
We know the pool format is 4-3-3 and we can assume a mostly fair/sensible seeding based on rankings.
We know Aus and NZ in Pool A, therefore England and Samoa (ranked 3 and 4) heading up Pools B and C.
We know PNG will be hosting their home games. To make this viable, they will not be in Pool A as they won't sent high drawing Kangaroos and Kiwis matches to PNG.
It has been reported that Samoa and Tonga are in opposite pools.
We hope that each pool has 1 non-Pacific nation.

So the most likely draw is this, with the bolded parts 95% certain.
The only question for me is which pools France and Lebanon land in.
I reaaaaally hope France gets Pool C. If they're smart they'll rig it that way, because Lebanon technically aren't even eligible for qualification anymore.

A: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, France/Lebanon
B: England, Tonga, Cook Islands
C: Samoa, PNG, France/Lebanon

 

[Ideas Man Stephen]

According to Forty 20 the RLWC draw will be revealed on Ch 7 at lunchtime of the cricket on the 23rd November.

The cricket won’t reach lunchtime on the 23rd November

 

[Ideas Man Stephen]

Only issue is that it presumes the Poms can last 3 days. I guess it will be a big part of channel 7s Sunday News bulletin which shows they are serious about maximising their investment.

I don’t think it’s the Poms we should be worrying about

 

[Willy2452]

I got an email from the RLWC2026 marketing confirming the draw to be released tomorrow during lunch at the Ashes.




Email below

“The Rugby League World Cup 2026 draw will be announced tomorrow, Sunday 23rd November.

Make sure you tune into Channel 7's coverage of The Ashes from 3:20pm AEDT to catch all the highlights.

HOW TO ACCESS TICKETS

Tickets to the RLWC 2026 Men's and Women's matches will be on-sale tomorrow at 3:20pm AEDT.

As you signed up for the Rugby League World Cup 2026 waitlist, you will receive an exclusive ticket allocation to the best available seating across all categories and fixtures for 72 hours.””

 

[Willy2452]

But with the 4 innings starting at tea on day 2… is there 60 overs left in the match to make it to lunch?

 

[adamkungl]

Theres a countdown on the rlwc2026 website pointing to 3.20pm AEDT tomorrow too

 

[adamkungl]

ALSO the website lists cities:

Sydney Newcastle Wollongong
Brisbane Gold Coast Townsville
Perth PNG and....
Christchurch

We'd already heard that Canberra was out. But assumed Melbourne would be in! Christchurch would be a big surprise. Kiwis playing at the new stadium due to open early next season?

I'm not fussed on Melbourne if true. Support not strong enough for semi finals, and the only pool game that would draw there is Australia vs NZ and that's already locked for Allianz.

Keeping it majority focused around Sydney and Brisbane helps crowds making it easier for fans to hit multiple games without flying cross country like 2017.

 

[Willy2452]

My money now is on Perth Semi final? Announcing it in perth?

 

[Coastbloke]

Melbourne must have a game..!! Wollongong has to be a pool game before ANY final..?

 

[adamkungl]

Melbourne must have a game..!!

Shrug. I went in 2017. It was shit. They won't show for anything except Storm games.

 

[adamkungl]

My money now is on Perth Semi final? Announcing it in perth?

Christchurch smokey. NZ are (near) guaranteed a semi final, unless Fiji upset them again haha.

 

[undertaker]

ALSO the website lists cities:

Sydney Newcastle Wollongong
Brisbane Gold Coast Townsville
Perth PNG and....
Christchurch

We'd already heard that Canberra was out. But assumed Melbourne would be in! Christchurch would be a big surprise. Kiwis playing at the new stadium due to open early next season?

I'm not fussed on Melbourne if true. Support not strong enough for semi finals, and the only pool game that would draw there is Australia vs NZ and that's already locked for Allianz.

Keeping it majority focused around Sydney and Brisbane helps crowds making it easier for fans to hit multiple games without flying cross country like 2017.

Christchurch? That can't be right.

I thought the 2026 RLWC was hosted by Australia and Papua New Guinea.

 

[eels4lifee]

I hope Tonga vs Samoa is played at Accor, I reckon it will sell out in no time, the amount of pacific islanders who will tavel from all around Australia and abroad. So yeah play it at Accor and don't screw it up!

 

[Willy2452]

Christchurch? That can't be right.

I thought the 2026 RLWC was hosted by Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Thats what the official website has.

 

[Willy2452]

Thats what the official website has.

But they have removed the list of host cities now… someone clicked unhide to early before the announcement haha

 

[undertaker]

I hope Tonga vs Samoa is played at Accor, I reckon it will sell out in no time, the amount of pacific islanders who will tavel from all around Australia and abroad. So yeah play it at Accor and don't screw it up!

If there is one test match that needs to be played at Accor, this is it.

I'll be interested to see what a future Tonga vs Samoa 3-test series can draw across Accor Stadium, Suncorp Stadium and Eden Park. It'd give the recent Ashes series crowd aggregate in the UK a run for its money.

 

[jim_57]

Cricket is done. What’s the plan now?

Obviously I’m sure there is a backup plan.

As @adamkungl touched on Perth has to be part of the draw if they’re announcing it in Perth. Part of the Bears/NRL/WAGov deal was $25m for more events in Perth so I imagine that will be part of it, wonder if they’ll aim big for Optus or just go HBF Park.

 

[undertaker]

Cricket is done. What’s the plan now?

Obviously I’m sure there is a backup plan.

As @adamkungl touched on Perth has to be part of the draw if they’re announcing it in Perth. Part of the Bears/NRL/WAGov deal was $25m for more events in Perth so I imagine that will be part of it, wonder if they’ll aim big for Optus or just go HBF Park.

Exactly.

With the test match officially over now, it will be interesting to see where and when the draw will be announced.

 

[Coastbloke]

I hope Tonga vs Samoa is played at Accor, I reckon it will sell out in no time, the amount of pacific islanders who will tavel from all around Australia and abroad. So yeah play it at Accor and don't screw it up!

I’d predict 50,000 at best. Still OK..