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How to watch Rugby League World Cup 2026
The tournament runs October 15 to November 15 across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, US and Canada with free streams in some regions.
In brief
The tournament runs October 15 to November 15 across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, US and Canada with free streams in some regions. Rugby League World Cup 2026 runs October 15 to November 15 with free-to-air coverage in Australia via 7Plus and paid streaming options in the US, UK and Canada. Originally reported by…
Tournament dates and format
Rugby League World Cup 2026 runs from Thursday, October 15 to Sunday, November 15. This is the seventeenth edition of the tournament.
Australia favoured despite absences
Twelve-time world champions Australia enter as favourites but will miss code-crossing superstar Mark Nawaqanitawase and injured NRL Dally M Player of Year Nathan Cleary.
New Zealand and Pacific challengers
Two-thousand eight champions New Zealand won the Pacific Championships in Australia's absence and are led by Kalyn Ponga, James Fisher-Harris and Erin Clark.
Samoa and Tonga make inroads
Samoa reached the Rugby League World Cup final for the first time five years ago. Tonga reached the RLWC last four for the first time in two thousand seventeen.
England rebuild after Ashes loss
England have reached the final three times but faced comprehensive Ashes series humiliation last year, forcing an impromptu managerial change. New boss Brian McDermott dropped Super League top scorer Jake Connor.
Free coverage in Australia
Every game of the two thousand twenty-six Rugby League World Cup is shown on free-to-air Channel seven, seven Mate and seven Plus in Australia. All eighteen matches stream free on seven Plus.
Paid streaming in US, UK and Canada
Premier Sports shows all eighteen games in the US for twenty five dollars. In the UK, Premier Sports costs eighteen pounds ninety-nine monthly or one hundred fifty pounds yearly.
Canada pricing and options
In Canada, Premier Sports costs twenty-nine dollars ninety-nine monthly, seventy-nine dollars ninety-nine for six months or one hundred thirty-nine dollars ninety-nine for twelve months.
New Zealand and VPN access
In New Zealand, select games are available on ThreeNow, including every Kiwis game plus the semi-finals and final. VPNs can unlock streams from anywhere in the world.
Tournament schedule begins October 15
First match is Thursday, October 15 at ten oh five am UK time: Australia versus New Zealand. Final is Sunday, November 15 at eight thirty-five am UK time.
The big picture
Rugby League World Cup 2026 runs October 15 to November 15 with free-to-air coverage in Australia via 7Plus and paid streaming options in the US, UK and Canada.
