The excitement of the Rugby League World Cup 2026 is just around the corner, as top teams gather in Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. This year's tournament promises thrilling matches as the best international men's, women's, and wheelchair teams compete.
Broadcast and Free Streaming Options
Fans in Australia are in for a treat, as they can catch every match live on the Seven Network and the 7plus streaming platform for FREE. New Zealand viewers can also enjoy selected games on ThreeNow at no cost, including the men's and women's semi-finals and finals.
International Viewing
If you're outside Australia or New Zealand, a VPN can help you bypass geographical restrictions and stream the games from anywhere. With a VPN, your device will appear as if it's located in another country, allowing access to your preferred Rugby League World Cup live streams.
Regional Viewing Details
- USA: Premier Sports holds the streaming rights in the U.S. with all matches available for a one-time fee of $25.
- UK: Unlike previous tournaments, there is no free-to-air coverage. Subscriptions to Premier Sports start at £18.99 per month.
- Australia: With every game available for free on Seven Network channels and 7plus, Australian fans can enjoy seamless access on various devices.
- Canada: Premier Sports also broadcasts the tournament in Canada with subscription options starting at $29.99 per month.
- New Zealand: Sky Sport will air all matches, while ThreeNow provides selected free coverage.
Rugby League World Cup 2026 Overview
The tournament runs from October 15 to November 15, featuring a total of 53 matches across different formats. The men's teams include heavyweights like Australia, New Zealand, and Tonga, while the women’s competition showcases the dominance of teams like Australia and New Zealand.
This year, Australia enters as the favorites, a position reinforced by their remarkable record of winning nine out of the last ten tournaments. Notably, they are the top-ranked team globally, having lost just once in international rugby this decade.
Fixture Highlights
The tournament's schedule is packed with exciting match-ups:
- Men's Opener: Australia vs. New Zealand - October 15
- Women's Opener: Australia vs. Samoa - October 16
- Finals: Scheduled for November 15
Fans are keenly anticipating a showdown between the Kangaroos and their fierce rivals, the Kiwis, in what is set to be a thrilling opening match.
Group Breakdown
The teams are divided into groups for the tournament:
- Men's Groups:
- Group A: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Cook Islands
- Group B: England, Samoa, Lebanon
- Group C: Tonga, Papua New Guinea, France - Women's Groups:
- Group A: Australia, England, Samoa, Wales
- Group B: New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, France, Fiji - Wheelchair Groups:
- Group A: England, Ireland, Wales, USA
- Group B: France, Australia, Scotland, New Zealand
This tournament promises to deliver matches filled with passion and skill, making it a must-watch event for sports fans worldwide.