We've witnessed some thrilling domestic rugby league from the Super League and the NRL recently, but attention now shifts to the international scene as the Rugby League World Cup kicks off on October 15 in Australia (New Zealand and Papua New Guinea are also co-hosting).
A month of intense and exhiliarating action awaits from the Southern Hemisphere with 10 teams striving for global glory and you can savour everything the tournament has to offer by booking match tickets today.
Australia start as the warm favourites to claim the crown for a fourth successive occasion and the 13th time in total since the inaugural event in 1954. They are set to face stiff competition though from fellow co-hosts and Antipodean rivals, New Zealand, as well as England, Samoa and Tonga.
Let GOAL give you all the latest ticket information on how you can secure seats at upcoming Rugby League World Cup matches, including where to purchase them, how much they cost and more.
When is the Rugby League World Cup 2026?
The Rugby League World Cup 2026, co-hosted by Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea, will take place from Thursday, October 15 to Sunday, November 15. The month-long showpiece tournament will feature 18 matches in total (15 pool matches, semi-finals and final).
The event will also be running simultaneously alongside the women's and wheelchair competitions.
Stage | Date(s) |
|---|---|
Pool matches | October 15 - November 1 |
Semi-Finals | November 7/8 |
Final | November 15 |
How to buy Rugby League World Cup 2026 tickets
Official tickets can be purchased via the Rugby League World Cup site, which links directly to the authorised sales portals for each specific host city and stadium.
The primary authorized distribution platform is Ticketmaster Australia (and Ticketmaster New Zealand). Depending on the specific venue (such as matches held in certain Australian or New Zealand venues), Ticketek is also utilised as a partner agent.
If looking to secure last-minute seats, fans can also purchase tickets off secondary platforms, like StubHub.
Guaranteed transfers – every StubHub purchase is backed by the platform's FanProtect programme, giving buyers confidence that tickets are valid and will arrive in time for matchday.
How much are Rugby League World Cup 2026 tickets?
Official general admission tickets for the Rugby League World Cup 2026 (RLWC2026) start at $19 AUD for adults, but prices will vary depending on the specific match, venue, and seating category.
Match Type | Adult Ticket (16+) | Family Ticket (2+2 or 1+3) |
|---|---|---|
Group Stage & Semi-Finals | From $19 AUD | From $49 AUD |
Final (Suncorp Stadium) | From $39 AUD | From $109 AUD |
While specific individual category maps depend heavily on the 10 different stadium layouts across Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea, seating is divided into several general tiers:
- Category 1 / Premium: Positioned along the halfway line and lower-tier sidelines, providing the best central views of the pitch.
- Category 2: Typically located in the upper side tiers or corners of the stadiums.
- Category 3 / General Admission: Usually located behind the goalposts or higher upper decks, offering the most affordable entry points.
Keep tabs on the national team’s official sites nearer the time, for additional information, and also on secondary resale sites such as StubHub for current availability.
What is the Rugby League World Cup 2026 schedule?
Date & Time (local) | Fixture | Venue (Location) | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
Thu, Oct 15 (20:05 AEDT) | Pool A: Australia vs New Zealand | Allianz Stadium (Sydney) | |
Fri, Oct 16 (17:45 AEDT) | Pool B/C: Samoa vs France | CommBank Stadium (Sydney) | |
Sat, Oct 17 (14:25 PGT) | Pool B/C: Papua New Guinea vs Lebanon | Santos National Football Stadium (Port Moresby) | TBA |
Sat, Oct 17 (17:05 AWST) | Pool B/C: England vs Tonga | HBF Park (Perth) | |
Sun, Oct 18 (16:05 AEDT) | Pool A: Fiji vs Cook Islands | McDonald Jones Stadium (Newcastle) | |
Fri, Oct 23 (20:05 AEDT) | Pool B/C: Tonga vs Lebanon | CommBank Stadium (Sydney) | |
Sat, Oct 24 (14:25 PGT) | Pool B/C: Papua New Guinea vs Samoa | Santos National Football Stadium (Port Moresby) | TBA |
Sat, Oct 24 (14:35 AWST) | Pool B/C: England vs France | HBF Park (Perth) | |
Sun, Oct 25 (18:05 NZDT) | Pool A: New Zealand vs Cook Islands | One NZ Stadium (Christchurch) | |
Sun, Oct 25 (19:05 AEST) | Pool A: Australia vs Fiji | Suncorp Stadium (Brisbane) | |
Fri, Oct 30 (20:05 AEDT) | Pool B/C: England vs PNG | WIN Stadium (Wollongong) | |
Sat, Oct 31 (14:30 AEST) | Pool A: New Zealand vs Fiji | Cbus Super Stadium (Gold Coast) | |
Sat, Oct 31 (19:05 AEST) | Pool A: Australia vs Cook Islands | Queensland Country Bank Stadium (Townsville) | |
Sun, Nov 1 (17:40 AEDT) | Pool B/C: Lebanon vs France & Tonga vs Samoa | CommBank Stadium (Sydney) | |
Sat, Nov 7 (20:05 AEDT) | 1st Semi-Final - TBC | McDonald Jones Stadium (Newcastle) | TBA |
Sun, Nov 8 (20:05 AEDT) | 2nd Semi-Final - TBC | Allianz Stadium (Sydney) | TBA |
Sun, Nov 15 (18:35 AEST) | Final - TBC | Suncorp Stadium (Brisbane) | TBA |
What are the Rugby League World Cup 2026 venues?
The following ten venues will be hosting games at this year's Rugby League World Cup:
Country | Venue (Location) | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
Australia | Suncorp Stadium (Brisbane) | 52,500 |
Allianz Stadium (Sydney) | 42,500 | |
McDonald Jones Stadium (Newcastle) | 33,000 | |
CommBank Stadium (Sydney) | 30,000 | |
Cbus Super Stadium (Gold Coast) | 27,400 | |
Queensland Country Bank Stadium (Townsville) | 25,455 | |
WIN Stadium (Wollongong) | 23,750 | |
HBF Park (Perth) | 20,500 | |
New Zealand | One New Zealand Stadium (Christchurch) | 30,000 |
Papua New Guinea | Santos National Football Stadium (Port Moresby) | 14,800 |
Who are the recent Rugby League World Cup winners?
The inaugural edition of the Rugby League World Cup took place in 1954. These are the most recent finals:
Year | Winners | Runners-up | Final Score | Venue (Location) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Australia | Samoa | 30-10 | Old Trafford (Manchester) |
2017 | Australia | England | 6-0 | Lang Park (Brisbane) |
2013 | Australia | New Zealand | 34-2 | Old Trafford (Manchester) |
2008 | New Zealand | Australia | 34-20 | Lang Park (Brisbane) |
2000 | Australia | New Zealand | 40-12 | Old Trafford (Manchester) |
1995 | Australia | England | 16-8 | Wembley (London) |
1992 | Australia | Great Britain | 10-6 | Wembley (London) |
1988 | Australia | New Zealand | 25-12 | Eden Park (Auckland) |
1977 | Australia | Great Britain | 13-12 | Sydney Cricket Ground (Sydney) |