The world’s best rugby league nations are set to battle for international supremacy as the Rugby League World Cup 2026 arrives across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
Running from 15 October to 15 November 2026, the tournament brings together the biggest stars from the NRL and Super League for a month of elite international rugby league. With powerhouse nations including Australia, New Zealand, England, Tonga, Samoa and Fiji all chasing World Cup glory, fans can expect fierce rivalries, packed stadiums and unforgettable moments.
Whether you’re following the Kangaroos, supporting one of the Pacific nations or simply looking for the complete Rugby League World Cup 2026 schedules, here’s everything you need to know about the tournament.
Rugby League World Cup 2026 Tournament Overview 🌏
The 2026 Rugby League World Cup marks one of the biggest international rugby league events ever staged.
For the first time, the tournament will be jointly hosted across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, showcasing the sport in three nations where rugby league enjoys passionate support.
The men’s competition features 10 nations split across three pools before progressing to the knockout rounds.
Fans can look forward to over a month of world-class rugby league featuring many of the biggest names from the NRL.
Rugby League World Cup 2026 Men’s Pools 🏉
Pool A
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Fiji
- Cook Islands
Pool B
- England
- Samoa
- Lebanon
Pool C
- Tonga
- Papua New Guinea
- France
Note: Pools B and C are combined. Teams from Pool B play all three of their group games against teams from Pool C. Results feed into a single combined ladder, with the top two teams progressing to the semi-finals.
With only the top teams progressing, every pool match could prove decisive in determining who advances to the knockout rounds.
Rugby League World Cup 2026 Men’s Schedule 📅
All times listed in AEST (Queensland time).
Pool Stage — Round 1
Thursday, 15 October Australia vs New Zealand — 7:05 PM AEST | Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Friday, 16 October Samoa vs France — 4:45 PM AEST | CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Saturday, 17 October Papua New Guinea vs Lebanon — 2:25 PM AEST | Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby England vs Tonga — 7:05 PM AEST | HBF Park, Perth
Sunday, 18 October Fiji vs Cook Islands — 3:05 PM AEST | McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Pool Stage — Round 2
Friday, 23 October Tonga vs Lebanon — 7:05 PM AEST | CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Saturday, 24 October Papua New Guinea vs Samoa — 2:25 PM AEST | Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby England vs France — 4:35 PM AEST | HBF Park, Perth
Sunday, 25 October New Zealand vs Cook Islands — 1:00 PM AEST | One NZ Stadium, Christchurch Australia vs Fiji — 7:05 PM AEST | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Pool Stage — Round 3
Friday, 30 October England vs Papua New Guinea — 7:05 PM AEST | WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Saturday, 31 October New Zealand vs Fiji — 2:30 PM AEST | Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast Australia vs Cook Islands — 7:05 PM AEST | Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Sunday, 1 November Lebanon vs France — 4:50 PM AEST | CommBank Stadium, Sydney Tonga vs Samoa — 7:05 PM AEST | CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Semi-Finals 🏆
Saturday, 7 November Semi-Final 1 — 7:05 PM AEST | McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Sunday, 8 November Semi-Final 2 — 7:05 PM AEST | Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Rugby League World Cup 2026 Final
Sunday, 15 November 2026 Men’s Final — TBC | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The tournament culminates with the Rugby League World Cup Final, where one nation will lift rugby league’s most prestigious international trophy.
Australia (Kangaroos) Schedule 🇦🇺
Australia enters the tournament as one of the favourites and begins its campaign with a blockbuster clash against long-time rivals New Zealand.
| Date | Match | Time (AEST) | Venue |
| Thursday, 15 October | Australia vs New Zealand | 7:05 PM | Allianz Stadium, Sydney |
| Sunday, 25 October | Australia vs Fiji | 7:05 PM | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane |
| Saturday, 31 October | Australia vs Cook Islands | 7:05 PM | Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville |
The Kangaroos boast incredible depth across the park and will once again be expected to challenge for the World Cup title.
New Zealand Kiwis Schedule 🇳🇿
The Kiwis always rise to the occasion on the international stage and will be determined to spoil Australia’s home campaign.
| Date | Match | Time (AEST) | Venue |
| Thursday, 15 October | New Zealand vs Australia | 7:05 PM | Allianz Stadium, Sydney |
| Sunday, 25 October | New Zealand vs Cook Islands | 1:00 PM | One NZ Stadium, Christchurch |
| Saturday, 31 October | New Zealand vs Fiji | 2:30 PM | Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast |
England Schedule 🏴
England enters the tournament hoping to finally end its long wait for Rugby League World Cup success.
| Date | Match | Time (AEST) | Venue |
| Saturday, 17 October | England vs Tonga | 7:05 PM | HBF Park, Perth |
| Saturday, 24 October | England vs France | 4:35 PM | HBF Park, Perth |
| Friday, 30 October | England vs Papua New Guinea | 7:05 PM | WIN Stadium, Wollongong |
Samoa Schedule 🇼🇸
Following their memorable run to the 2022 Rugby League World Cup Final, Samoa once again enters the tournament as one of the most dangerous teams in international rugby league.
| Date | Match | Time (AEST) | Venue |
| Friday, 16 October | Samoa vs France | 4:45 PM | CommBank Stadium, Sydney |
| Saturday, 24 October | Papua New Guinea vs Samoa | 2:25 PM | Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby |
| Sunday, 1 November | Tonga vs Samoa | 7:05 PM | CommBank Stadium, Sydney |
Tonga Schedule 🇹🇴
Tonga continues to be one of rugby league’s most exciting international teams, featuring a squad packed with NRL talent.
| Date | Match | Time (AEST) | Venue |
| Saturday, 17 October | England vs Tonga | 7:05 PM | HBF Park, Perth |
| Friday, 23 October | Tonga vs Lebanon | 7:05 PM | CommBank Stadium, Sydney |
| Sunday, 1 November | Tonga vs Samoa | 7:05 PM | CommBank Stadium, Sydney |
Biggest Matches to Watch 🔥
Australia vs New Zealand
It doesn’t get much bigger than this. The opening match of the tournament sees two of rugby league’s fiercest rivals collide in what could easily be a preview of the World Cup Final.
England vs Tonga
England faces one of the Pacific’s most powerful nations in the opening round, in a match that could prove decisive in determining who tops the combined Pool B/C ladder.
Tonga vs Samoa
Two of the Pacific’s most passionate fan bases go head to head in the final round of pool play, in what promises to be one of the most electric atmospheres of the entire tournament.
Australia vs Fiji
Fiji have become one of international rugby league’s strongest emerging nations and will relish the opportunity to challenge the Kangaroos at Suncorp Stadium.
Players to Watch ⭐
Nathan Cleary (Australia)
Widely regarded as one of the game’s premier halfbacks, Cleary will once again be central to Australia’s title hopes.
Cameron Munster (Australia)
One of rugby league’s biggest game-breakers, Munster thrives in the pressure of representative football.
Harry Grant (Australia)
Grant’s speed around the ruck and creativity from dummy-half make him one of the world’s most dangerous hookers.
Payne Haas (Australia)
Few forwards dominate the middle of the field like Haas, whose power and work rate set the platform for Australia’s attack.
Isaah Yeo (Australia)
Australia’s captaincy and leadership qualities continue to make Yeo one of the competition’s most influential players.
Jahrome Hughes (New Zealand)
The elite playmaker will once again orchestrate the Kiwis’ attack from halfback.
Joseph Manu (New Zealand)
Capable of playing across the backline, Manu remains one of the world’s most complete rugby league players.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (New Zealand)
One of rugby league’s most exciting ball-runners, RTS always delivers on the international stage.
Herbie Farnworth (England)
Fresh off outstanding NRL form, Farnworth provides England with genuine attacking strike out wide.
Jarome Luai (Samoa)
Luai’s creativity and passion continue to make Samoa one of the tournament’s most entertaining teams to watch.
Biggest Storylines 👀
Can Australia Win on Home Soil?
The Kangaroos will enter as one of the favourites, but with expectation comes enormous pressure. Winning the World Cup in front of home supporters would further cement Australia’s dominance of international rugby league.
Can New Zealand Spoil Australia’s Party?
The Kiwis have repeatedly shown they can beat Australia on the biggest stage. Their opening-night clash at Allianz Stadium could provide an early indication of who will ultimately challenge for the trophy.
Pacific Nations Continue Their Rise
Tonga, Samoa and Papua New Guinea have transformed international rugby league over the past decade. With world-class NRL talent throughout their squads, each nation has the ability to upset the traditional powerhouses.
Can England Finally Break Through?
England remains one of rugby league’s strongest nations but has waited decades to reclaim the World Cup. With a talented squad drawing on NRL-based players, this could be the year that changes.
International Rugby League Continues to Grow
The Rugby League World Cup showcases the global growth of the game, bringing together passionate supporters from around the world and highlighting the increasing strength of emerging rugby league nations.
Watch the Rugby League World Cup LIVE at Prince of Wales Hotel Ipswich 🍻
There’s nothing quite like watching international rugby league surrounded by fellow fans.
With the majority of Rugby League World Cup 2026 matches kicking off in prime Queensland evening viewing times, the Prince of Wales Hotel Ipswich is the perfect place to catch every big hit, spectacular try and unforgettable moment.
Whether you’re backing the Kangaroos, cheering on the Kiwis, supporting Samoa, Tonga, England or one of the tournament’s rising nations, you’ll find an unbeatable game-day atmosphere at the Prince.
Why Watch the Rugby League World Cup at the Prince?
- 📺 Big screens showing the biggest Rugby League World Cup matches
- 🍺 Ice-cold beers and your favourite drinks on tap
- 🍔 Delicious pub meals and game-day classics
- 🏉 A lively atmosphere for every major international clash
- 👥 The perfect place to cheer on your team with family and mates
From the opening whistle through to the Rugby League World Cup Final at Suncorp Stadium, settle in at the Prince of Wales Hotel Ipswich and experience every thrilling moment of rugby league’s biggest international tournament.
Don’t Miss the Rugby League World Cup 2026 🏆
The Rugby League World Cup 2026 promises to deliver another unforgettable month of international rugby league.
With fierce rivalries, passionate supporters and the world’s best players all competing for the ultimate prize, every match has the potential to become part of rugby league history.
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