Rugby League World Cup 2026 on 7

23rd October 2025

Live, free and exclusive – Rugby League World Cup

Seven and 7plus home to the Australian-hosted 2026 tournament
The Seven Network today announced it has secured the exclusive Australian rights to the Rugby League World Cup 2026 (RLWC2026), which will be live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport from 15 October 2026.  

 

Kicking off with a blockbuster clash between Australia and New Zealand at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium, Seven’s month-long coverage will showcase the very best of international rugby league with 18 men’s, 15 women’s and 20 wheelchair matches. 

 

Hosted by Australia, RLWC2026 will feature 26 teams from around the world, including England, Tonga and Samoa, with four matches to also be played in Papua New Guinea and two matches in New Zealand. 

 

Seven West Media Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Howard, said: “Seven is proud to be the unrivalled home of Australian sport. 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.”

 

Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman, Peter V'landys AM, said: "Growing the international game has been a key focus of the Commission and 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.

 

"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," Mr V'landys said.

 

Seven’s coverage of the Rugby League World Cup 2026 runs from 15 October until 15 November 2026 and will available live, free and exclusively in Australia on Seven and 7plus Sport. 

 

The best of Australian and international sport will be live and free on Seven and 7plus next year, including AFL, AFLW, a red-hot summer of Test cricket, Big Bash League, Women’s Big Bash League, Women’s International Cricket, Supercars, horse racing, LIV Golf, NFL (including Super Bowl LX) and two of the biggest sporting events in the world: the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games in July and August and the Rugby League World Cup in October and November.