RLWC 2026 Details soon per official account

[undertaker]

I know many on this forum despise Channel 7 because they're associated with AFL, but to their credit, they have done a 1000x better job promoting test match footy whenever they've had the broadcasting rights compared to anything Channel 9 has ever done for rugby league in general: both pre-SL war (during 1991-93), and in more recent times with their coverage of both the 2013 RLWC and 2017 RLWC (which really exposed just how abysmal Channel 9's efforts were during the 2008 RLWC). I'm thoroughly looking forward to what they will produce for next year's RLWC.

Furthermore, the fact that Channel 7 will have a weekly rugby league show next year means they are definitely a serious contender to pick up content in the next NRL tv broadcasting rights deal (starting from 2028).

I should also add Channel 9's crappola they dished out during the 2000 RLWC as well. The tournament copped an absolute barrage of criticism in the media, due to the World Cup having two New Zealand teams, as well as crap weather, poor scheduling and mediocre crowd attendances. Yes, test footy was still struggling to rebuild its profile and gain credibility in the aftermath of the Super League war, so much so that it would take another 8 years until the RFL/IRL/ARL had enough confidence to schedule the next World Cup. However, make no mistake: coverage on "the HOME of rugby league" leaves a lot to be desired.

All Channel 9 did was provide a score summary of the first three matches that took place earlier on the opening day of the World Cup, show a delayed (by approx. 2 hours) broadcast of England vs Australia at Twickenham, then after the post-game analysis from Gus and Sterlo............"thanks for joining us. We'll see you in three weeks time for the quarter-finals!" ROFL! It was like the next 20 matches during the group stage of the tournament - including Australia's two other group matches - never took place at all.

So, of the 31 matches in the World Cup, Channel 9 ended up televising only one match during the group stage, the quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final. Really goes to show you what they thought about the tournament.

 

[adamkungl]

Hopefully they don't organise this one like the last one, so that the two best teams can't make the final to ensure a SH v NH final (and then have England stuff that up).

The rumoured pools and draw would have Australia and NZ in separate semi finals. Impossible for them to knock each other out early.

 

[Bulldog2020]

With the final in Brisbane.
They should do all semi finals in Sydney.
Either a double header at Accor or separate days at Allianz

 

[Coastbloke]

Why would it be sabotaged?

Figure of speech.

The Tournament was so badly organised and promoted it could be construed it was sabotaged..

 

[Last Week]

Absolute farce that the final isn't in Sydney.

Watch Sydney get the opening match, being their only Kangaroos match, sell 40'000 tickets and be criticized for it.

 

[adamkungl]

Absolute farce that the final isn't in Sydney.

Watch Sydney get the opening match, being their only Kangaroos match, sell 40'000 tickets and be criticized for it.

I love Sydney but honestly I'm perfectly fine with Suncorp with being the main host of international finals. If they don't sell out (again) we can rethink it.

Strongly suggesting they don't play a Brisbane semi final though and ask the crowd for an expensive ticket 2 weeks in a row.

 

[undertaker]

The rumoured pools and draw would have Australia and NZ in separate semi finals. Impossible for them to knock each other out early.

It's 100% confirmed that Australia will play New Zealand in the opening match at Allianz Stadium on Thursday, October 15.

Being in the same pool means it's impossible for them to compete against each other in the semi-finals. Assuming they are the two teams that advance through from Pool A, their semi-final opponents will be the top 2 of the 6 teams from Pools B/C combined.

 

[Last Week]

It's 100% confirmed that Australia will play New Zealand in the opening match at Allianz Stadium on Thursday, October 15.

Being in the same pool means it's impossible for them to compete against each other in the semi-finals. Assuming they are the two teams that advance through from Pool A, their semi-final opponents will be the top 2 of the 6 teams from Pools B/C combined.

Where has it been confirmed that the kickoff is on a Thursday night?

 

[yakstorm]

Where has it been confirmed that the kickoff is on a Thursday night?

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

Kicking off with a blockbuster clash between Australia and New Zealand at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on October 15.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

I know many on this forum despise Channel 7 because they're associated with AFL, but to their credit, they have done a 1000x better job promoting test match footy whenever they've had the broadcasting rights compared to anything Channel 9 has ever done for rugby league in general: both pre-SL war (during 1991-93), and in more recent times with their coverage of both the 2013 RLWC and 2017 RLWC (which really exposed just how abysmal Channel 9's efforts were during the 2008 RLWC). I'm thoroughly looking forward to what they will produce for next year's RLWC.

Furthermore, the fact that Channel 7 will have a weekly rugby league show next year means they are definitely a serious contender to pick up content in the next NRL tv broadcasting rights deal (starting from 2028).

Channel 7 has usually done an awesome job with the world cup when they have broadcast it

 

[yakstorm]

Strongly suggesting they don't play a Brisbane semi final though and ask the crowd for an expensive ticket 2 weeks in a row.

Agree with this. Both times they tried this previously (2008 & 2017) lead to pretty average Semi Final crowds in Brisbane (26,659 for NZ v England & 22,073 for Australia v Fiji).

Considering we know one final will involve Australia and one will involve NZ, they can optimise their picks for a big crowd. Safest venue for the Australia final (not knowing who they'd play) is Newcastle, but I'd imagine somewhere like Allianz and may even sell out if it's against the likes of a Samoa or Tonga.

NZ will do well in Sydney, Melbourne or Gold Coast crowd wise.

 

[dogz08]

Would be nice to not see Australia in the final.. but NZ is the only team that could beat them

 

[parrawentyfan]

Final in Brisbane.

Semis in Melbourne and Sydney.

Will quarter finals even exist in a 10 team tournament?

 

[adamkungl]

Will quarter finals even exist in a 10 team tournament?

No

 

[Perth Red]

Absolute farce that the final isn't in Sydney.

Watch Sydney get the opening match, being their only Kangaroos match, sell 40'000 tickets and be criticized for it.

You do understand that cities pay hosting rights dont you? NSW Govt has along history of not wanting to pay of Int RL events.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Suncorp semis of 26k and 22k are just as good as RLWC SF crowds anywhere else.

Agree though, that a Suncorp final means the SFs should be somewhere else.

 

[Willy2452]

Newcastle set to be part of Rugby League World Cup next year

Australia and Papua New Guinea are hosting the 2026 tournaments.

www.newcastleherald.com.au

Newcastle to host games? I cant read the article due to paywall.

 

[Burns]

"Newcastle looks set to play a role in next year's Rugby League World Cup, as tournament organisers prepare to announce host venues next week.

The 2026 edition of the World Cup, which includes men's, women's and wheelchair tournaments, is being held in Australia and Papua New Guinea next October and November.

The Newcastle Herald understands the World Cup will visit the Hunter in some capacity. The qualified teams are now all locked in, but the draws and game venues are yet to be revealed.

An official announcement is expected on Monday.

Newcastle council wrote to the tournament organisers late last year expressing interest in hosting games and also teams for periods of training."

Newcastle set to be part of Rugby League World Cup next year

Australia and Papua New Guinea are hosting the 2026 tournaments.

www.newcastleherald.com.au

 

[undertaker]

"Newcastle looks set to play a role in next year's Rugby League World Cup, as tournament organisers prepare to announce host venues next week.

The 2026 edition of the World Cup, which includes men's, women's and wheelchair tournaments, is being held in Australia and Papua New Guinea next October and November.

The Newcastle Herald understands the World Cup will visit the Hunter in some capacity. The qualified teams are now all locked in, but the draws and game venues are yet to be revealed.

An official announcement is expected on Monday.

Newcastle council wrote to the tournament organisers late last year expressing interest in hosting games and also teams for periods of training."

Newcastle set to be part of Rugby League World Cup next year

Australia and Papua New Guinea are hosting the 2026 tournaments.

www.newcastleherald.com.au

Fantastic to hear.

Hopefully Newcastle gets to host either one of Australia's other two group matches (tournament opener vs New Zealand is at Allianz Stadium), or a semi-final.

 

[Coastbloke]

Apparently England have been offered a Mid season Test against PNG leading up to the RLWC..

Source: Love Rugby League FB Page.