The Rugby League World Cup 2026 (RLWC 2026) is one of the most anticipated international sporting events, bringing together the world’s top rugby league nations for an action-packed tournament. Scheduled across Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea, the competition promises thrilling matches, global viewership, and unforgettable moments.
📅 RLWC 2026 Tournament Dates
The tournament will officially kick off on October 15, 2026, and conclude with the grand final on November 15, 2026. Over one month, fans will witness 52 matches across men’s, women’s, and wheelchair competitions.
Rugby League World Cup 2026 – Complete Schedule (AEDT)
Men’s Match Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue | Local Kick-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 15 Oct | Australia v New Zealand | Allianz Stadium, Sydney | 8:05pm AEDT |
| Fri 16 Oct | Samoa v France | CommBank Stadium, Sydney | 6:45pm AEDT |
| Sat 17 Oct | Papua New Guinea v Lebanon | Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby | 3:25pm |
| Sat 17 Oct | England v Tonga | HBF Park, Perth | 6:05pm AWST |
| Sun 18 Oct | Fiji v Cook Islands | McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle | 5:05pm AEDT |
| Fri 23 Oct | Tonga v Lebanon | CommBank Stadium, Sydney | 8:05pm AEDT |
| Sat 24 Oct | Papua New Guinea v Samoa | Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby | 3:25pm |
| Sat 24 Oct | England v France | HBF Park, Perth | 3:35pm AWST |
| Sun 25 Oct | New Zealand v Cook Islands | One NZ Stadium, Christchurch | 6:05pm NZDT |
| Sun 25 Oct | Australia v Fiji | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | 7:05pm AEST |
| Fri 30 Oct | England v Papua New Guinea | WIN Stadium, Wollongong | 8:05pm AEDT |
| Sat 31 Oct | New Zealand v Fiji | Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast | 2:45pm AEST |
| Sat 31 Oct | Australia v Cook Islands | Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville | 7:05pm AEST |
| Sun 1 Nov | Lebanon v France | CommBank Stadium, Sydney | 5:50pm AEDT |
| Sun 1 Nov | Tonga v Samoa | CommBank Stadium, Sydney | 8:05pm AEDT |
| Sat 7 Nov | Semi-Final 1: TBC v TBC | McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle | 8:05pm AEDT |
| Sun 8 Nov | Semi-Final 2: TBC v TBC | Allianz Stadium, Sydney | 8:05pm AEDT |
| Sun 15 Nov | Final: TBC v TBC | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | 6:35pm AEST |
Men’s Groups
| Group | Teams / Format |
|---|---|
| Group A | Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Cook Islands — round-robin within the group |
| Group B | England, Samoa, Lebanon |
| Group C | Tonga, Papua New Guinea, France |
| Group B & C Format | Each Group B team plays all Group C teams, and vice versa |
Women’s Match Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue | Local Kick-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 16 Oct | Australia v Samoa | CommBank Stadium, Sydney | 9:05pm AEDT |
| Sat 17 Oct | Papua New Guinea v France | Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby | 1:15pm |
| Sat 17 Oct | England v Wales | HBF Park, Perth | 3:35pm AWST |
| Sun 18 Oct | New Zealand v Fiji | McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle | 2:50pm AEDT |
| Fri 23 Oct | Samoa v Wales | CommBank Stadium, Sydney | 6:50pm AEDT |
| Sat 24 Oct | Fiji v Papua New Guinea | Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby | 1:15pm |
| Sat 24 Oct | Australia v England | HBF Park, Perth | 6:05pm AWST |
| Sun 25 Oct | New Zealand v France | One NZ Stadium, Christchurch | 3:50pm NZDT |
| Fri 30 Oct | England v Samoa | WIN Stadium, Wollongong | 5:50pm AEDT |
| Sat 31 Oct | Fiji v France | Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast | 12:35pm AEST |
| Sat 31 Oct | New Zealand v Papua New Guinea | Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast | 4:55pm AEST |
| Sun 1 Nov | Australia v Wales | CommBank Stadium, Sydney | 3:45pm AEDT |
| Sat 7 Nov | Semi-Final 1: TBC v TBC | McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle | 5:55pm AEDT |
| Sun 8 Nov | Semi-Final 2: TBC v TBC | Allianz Stadium, Sydney | 5:55pm AEDT |
| Sun 15 Nov | Final: TBC v TBC | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | 3:15pm AEST |
Women’s Groups
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| Group A | Australia, England, Samoa, Wales |
| Group B | New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, France, Fiji |
🌍 Multi-Nation Hosting Advantage
One of the unique aspects of the RLWC 2026 schedule is its multi-country hosting format. Matches are distributed across major cities, including:
- Sydney
- Brisbane
- Perth
- Christchurch
- Port Moresby
This approach enhances global reach and allows fans from different regions to experience live matches.
🔥 Why the RLWC 2026 Schedule Matters
The carefully planned schedule ensures:
- Balanced rest periods for teams
- Prime-time viewing for global audiences
- Maximum fan engagement across regions
It also highlights the growing popularity of rugby league, with emerging teams getting equal opportunities on the world stage.
📌 Final Thoughts
The Rugby League World Cup 2026 schedule is designed to deliver non-stop excitement from start to finish. With top-tier teams, iconic venues, and a perfectly structured format, fans can expect a tournament full of drama, skill, and unforgettable moments.
Whether following every match or tuning in for key fixtures, RLWC 2026 promises to be a must-watch global sporting event.