2026 Rugby League World Cup: Australia’s Draw & Fixtures
The 2026 Rugby League World Cup (men’s) runs from October 15 to November 15, 2026, across Australia (main host), Papua New Guinea, and New Zealand. Australia, as hosts and world #1 ranked team, headline the tournament in a blockbuster Group A alongside traditional rivals New Zealand, plus Fiji and Cook Islands.
The format sees Group A (4 teams) play a full round-robin (each plays 3 matches). The top 2 teams advance straight to the semi-finals. Groups B and C (3 teams each) cross-play, with winners progressing. The final is at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, on November 15.
Group A Teams (Australia’s Pool)
- Australia (hosts, world #1)
- New Zealand (world #2)
- Fiji (world #7)
- Cook Islands (world #9)
Australia’s Fixtures in the 2026 World Cup Group Stage
| Date | Match | Venue | Kick-off (local/AEDT where known) |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 15, 2026 | Australia vs New Zealand | Allianz Stadium, Sydney | 20:05 AEDT |
| October 25, 2026 | Australia vs Fiji | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | TBC (evening slot expected) |
| October 31, 2026 | Australia vs Cook Islands | Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville | 19:05 AEST |
Note: These are Australia’s confirmed pool matches. Additional group fixtures (e.g., New Zealand vs Fiji, etc.) fill out the schedule but are not listed here. Kick-off times and exact details may be subject to final confirmation. The tournament features high-profile venues like Allianz Stadium (Sydney), Suncorp Stadium (Brisbane), CommBank Stadium (Sydney), and others across Perth, Newcastle, Wollongong, Gold Coast, Port Moresby (PNG), and Christchurch (NZ).
Path to the Final for Australia
- Top 2 in Group A → Direct to semi-finals (November 8, likely in Sydney)
- Semi-final winners → Final at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (November 15, 2026)
For the full tournament draw (including women’s and wheelchair events), group standings updates, tickets, and live results, visit the official site: rlwc2026.com or nrl.com/RLWC2026. Tickets are on sale now starting from $19 AUD via Ticketmaster.
Source: Compiled from official announcements by International Rugby League (IRL), NRL, and rlwc2026.com (draw released November 23, 2025). As of February 2026, no changes reported.
