The 2026 Rugby League World Cup is here. The men’s tournament runs October 15 through November 15, 2026, co-hosted by Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, and it opens today with a heavyweight clash: Australia against New Zealand at Allianz Stadium in Sydney. The final is set for Sunday, November 15 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
Here is the full group breakdown, how the knockout path works, the key dates, how to watch, and a printable bracket you can fill in as the tournament unfolds.
Quick facts
Event: 2026 Rugby League World Cup (men’s)
Dates: October 15 to November 15, 2026
Hosts: Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea
Opening match: Australia vs New Zealand, Allianz Stadium, Sydney (Oct 15)
Teams: 10, split across three groups
Final: Sunday, November 15, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
How the 2026 Rugby League World Cup works
Ten men’s teams are split into three groups. Group A is a four-team round-robin, and its top two advance straight to the semifinals. Groups B and C do not play within their own group; instead each team plays the three teams in the other group, and the results feed a single combined B/C table. The top two from that combined table also advance.
That sets up the semifinals: the Group A winner meets the runner-up from the combined B/C table, and the Group A runner-up meets the B/C winner. The two semifinal winners meet in the final in Brisbane on November 15.
Groups and teams
Key dates and knockout path
| Stage | Dates (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Opening match | Thu, Oct 15 | Australia vs New Zealand, Sydney |
| Group stage | Oct 15 – Nov 1 | Group A round-robin; Groups B and C cross over |
| Semifinals | Sat Nov 7 and Sun Nov 8 | A winner vs B/C runner-up; A runner-up vs B/C winner |
| Final | Sun, Nov 15 | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane |
How to watch in the US
Coverage is built around the host nations: matches air on Nine in Australia and on the BBC in the United Kingdom. In the United States, kickoffs land in the early morning Eastern time because of the time difference, so your best bet is to check your provider’s streaming listings for the tournament on the day of each match. We will note confirmed US streaming details here as they lock in.
Printable 2026 Rugby League World Cup bracket
Print the bracket, pencil in the group winners, and follow the knockout path all the way to the Brisbane final.
Download the printable 2026 Rugby League World Cup bracket (PDF)
2026 Rugby League World Cup FAQ
When is the 2026 Rugby League World Cup?
It runs October 15 through November 15, 2026.
Where is it being held?
It is co-hosted by Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, with the final at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
How many teams are in the tournament?
Ten men’s teams, split into three groups (A, B and C).
What is the opening match?
Australia plays New Zealand at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on October 15.
When is the final?
Sunday, November 15, 2026 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.
