The 2026 Men’s Rugby League World Cup semi-finals bring the tournament closer to its deciding match, with two fixtures scheduled across consecutive evenings in New South Wales. Newcastle hosts the first semi-final on 7 November, followed by Sydney on 8 November. Both matches are scheduled to kick off at 20:05 AEDT (UTC+11:00).
With a place in the final at stake, these fixtures mark an important stage of the competition. The schedule below outlines the semi-final matchups, dates, kick-off times and venues, along with links to the NRL and International Rugby League match pages.
2026 Men’s Rugby League World Cup
Semi-finals Schedule
7–8 November 2026 · All kick-off times in AEDT (UTC+11:00)
Pool A
runners-up
Pool B & C
winner
First Semi-final: Pool A Runners-up vs Pool B & C Winner
The first semi-final is scheduled for 7 November 2026 at Newcastle International Sports Centre in Newcastle. Kick-off is listed for 20:05 AEDT.
This fixture pairs the Pool A runners-up with the Pool B & C winner. These qualification labels identify the positions assigned to the match in the supplied bracket. The team names can be added to the schedule once those places are confirmed.
For supporters following the tournament’s progression, this match will determine the first of the two semi-final winners. It also opens a weekend of knockout rugby league, with the second semi-final taking place the following evening in Sydney.
Second Semi-final: Australia vs Pool B & C Runners-up
The second semi-final is scheduled for 8 November 2026 at Sydney Football Stadium in Sydney. As with the Newcastle fixture, the listed kick-off time is 20:05 AEDT.
The supplied schedule lists Australia against the Pool B & C runners-up. This pairing completes the two-match semi-final lineup, with the winner progressing to the final.
Holding the matches on separate evenings allows fans to follow each semi-final individually. After the opening fixture in Newcastle, attention turns to Sydney as the remaining two sides compete for the other place in the tournament’s deciding match.
Fixture details are available through the NRL match page and the IRL match page.
Semi-final Kick-off Times Explained
Both semi-finals use Australian Eastern Daylight Time, abbreviated as AEDT, which is UTC+11:00. The listed 20:05 kick-off therefore means 8:05 p.m. local time at both venues.
If you are following from another country, convert the Australian kick-off time to your local time zone before making viewing plans. The date and time shown on a broadcaster’s schedule may differ from the venue’s local listing.
Following the Road to the Final
The semi-final bracket provides a simple way to track the last step before the final. Newcastle hosts the first matchup on 7 November, while Sydney hosts the second on 8 November, giving supporters two consecutive evenings to follow the action.
Keep this schedule handy for the match dates, venues and starting times. Before attending or watching, check the linked match pages for any fixture updates. As the remaining team positions are confirmed, the qualification labels can be replaced with team names to keep the bracket easy to follow.