Rugby League World Cup 2026 arrives live, free and exclusive on Seven and 7plus Sport
Australia’s chase for glory has a new home, with Rugby League World Cup 2026 to air live, free and exclusive on Seven and 7plus Sport.
Kicking off with a blockbuster clash between Australia and New Zealand at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on October 15, Seven’s month-long coverage will showcase 18 men’s, 15 women’s and 20 wheelchair matches played in Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Channel 7 locks in 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Seven will also extend its successful The Agenda Setters brand to rugby league, with a new panel show beginning from Round 1 of the 2026 NRL season and continuing right through to the end of RLWC2026.
“Seven is proud to be the unrivalled home of Australian sport,” Seven West Media chief executive Jeff Howard said.
“The Rugby League World Cup is a significant world-class event and hosting it on home soil makes it even more special. It’s exactly the kind of premium sporting content Seven is known for and committed to delivering — live, free and exclusively to all Australians.
“Thank you to the Australian Rugby League Commission, Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo for championing this deal, and we’re looking forward to delivering this outstanding event, in a way that only Seven can do, to Australian audiences in 2026.”
V’landys said growing the international game has been a key focus for the Commission.
“Nothing compares to the passion, excitement and sheer intensity of a Rugby League World Cup. Big hits, brilliant athleticism and epic finishes — this World Cup will have it all, and more,” he said.
“With all men’s, women’s and wheelchair Rugby League World Cup matches available live and free right across Australia, this partnership will give every Australian unprecedented access to the biggest games on the rugby league calendar.”
Australia’s Kangaroos and Jillaroos enter the 2026 edition as reigning champions after defeating Samoa and England in their respective 2022 finals.
The Kangaroos will face a tough challenge to retain the men’s trophy, with several leading NRL stars opting to represent the likes of Samoa and Tonga in honour of their families.
Broncos premiership winner Payne Haas is set to headline a powerful Samoan squad that could feature Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton, Brian To’o, Terrell and Taylan May, and Spencer Leniu.
Seven’s coverage of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup will mark the network’s first foray into the top level since the 2017 edition.
Rugby League World Cup 2026
MEN
Australia (reigning champions)
Samoa
New Zealand
England
Lebanon
Tonga
Fiji
Papua New Guinea
TBC: France v Jamaica (October 25)
TBC: Cook Islands v South Africa (November 9)
WOMEN
Australia (reigning champions)
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
England
France
Wales
Samoa
TBC: Nigeria or Fiji (October 26)
WHEELCHAIR
England (reigning champions)
France
Wales
Australia
Ireland
Scotland
New Zealand
United States
Originally published on 7NEWS Sport
