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.

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