2026 Rugby League World Cup Fixtures and Host CitiesRevealed: Queensland Secures Major Economic Coup withFinals at Suncorp Stadium
The competition structure and fixtures for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup have been officially announced, detailing a massive 31-day international showcase across three countries and nine host cities set for October and November next year. Billed as the most competitive, ambitious, and anticipated Rugby League World Cup, the event will feature 14 nations, 26 teams, and a total of 53 matches across the Men’s, Women’s, and Wheelchair tournaments
In a significant win for Queensland, Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium has secured the hosting rights for both the Men’s and Women’s Grand Finals, scheduled for Sunday, November 15. The Wheelchair Final will take place earlier, on Friday, November 13, at Wollongong’s WIN Entertainment Centre.
Major Economic Benefits for Queensland
Queensland secured three of the eight host city destinations—Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and Townsville—which Premier David Crisafulli called a “tremendous win for the State”.
The decision is expected to attract approximately 110,000 people from interstate and overseas, injecting more than $18 million into the Queensland economy. This coup was made possible through the state’s new Mega and Strategic Events Fund, committed under the Destination 2045 tourism plan.
Minister for Sport and Racing Tim Mander lauded the selection of Suncorp Stadium, calling it the “best rugby league stadium in the world” and the perfect stage for the Grand Final. Gold Coast and Townsville will stage events throughout the tournament, including a blockbuster Men’s match featuring the Australian team at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville.
Tournament Structure and Blockbuster Openers
The tournament runs from Thursday, October 15, 2026, through Sunday, November 15, 2026.
Men’s Tournament (10 Teams): The Men’s tournament will kick off on Thursday, October 15, at Allianz Stadium with a heavyweight clash between the top two world-ranked teams: the Kangaroos and the Kiwis.
The pools are structured with one pool of four and two pools of three nations:
- Group A: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Cook Islands.
- Group B: England, Samoa, Lebanon.
- Group C: Tonga, PNG, France.
Group A teams will play three matches against each other, while teams in Group B and C will play three matches against teams in the adjacent group. The top two teams from Group A will progress to the Semi-Finals, alongside the top two teams from a combined table of Group B and C.
Other key fixtures include England versus Tonga at Perth’s HBF Park on Saturday, October 17, and a match between Pacific giants Tonga and Samoa at CommBank Stadium on Sunday, November 1. Brisbane will also host a blockbuster fixture between Australia and Fiji’s men’s teams at Suncorp Stadium. Men’s matches will be played across Sydney, Port Moresby, Perth, Newcastle, Christchurch, Brisbane, Wollongong, Gold Coast, and Townsville.
Women’s Tournament (8 Teams): The eight-team Women’s tournament begins on Friday, October 16, with the all-conquering Australian Jillaroos facing Samoa at CommBank Stadium.
- Group A: Australia, England, Samoa, Wales.
- Group B: New Zealand, PNG, France, Fiji.
Each team plays three matches within their group, with the top two teams from each Group advancing to the Semi-Finals. A triple-header at Gold Coast’s CBUS Super Stadium will feature Samoa vs France (Women’s) and New Zealand vs Papua New Guinea (Women’s), alongside a Men’s fixture. Women’s Group matches will be held in Sydney, Port Moresby, Perth, Newcastle, Christchurch, Wollongong, and Gold Coast.
Wheelchair Tournament (8 Teams): The eight-team Wheelchair tournament will be played in its entirety at Wollongong’s WIN Entertainment Centre.
- Group A: England, Ireland, Wales, USA.
- Group B: France, Australia, Scotland, New Zealand.
The opening match coincides with a Men’s and Women’s double-header at WIN Stadium on October 30.
Officials Heralding a New Era
ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys AM stated that representing one’s country in the World Cup is the “ultimate honour,” predicting this will be the “best and most successful Rugby League World Cup on record”.
International Rugby League (IRL) Chairman Troy Grant emphasized the soaring popularity of the sport, noting that the international game is “riding a wave of momentum into what will be the biggest global showcase the game has seen”.
Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium and Sydney’s Allianz Stadium will host double-header Semi-Finals across the Men’s and Women’s tournaments.
Tickets are on sale today via Ticketmaster. Adult tickets for Group stage and Semi-Final matches start from $19 (AUD), while Finals tickets at Suncorp Stadium start from $39 (AUD) for adults. All matches will be broadcast live and exclusive in Australia on Seven and 7Plus.
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