Rugby League World Cup 2026 Goes Global as Premier Sports Deal Reaches 129 More Countries

The 2026 Rugby League World Cup will be the most widely available in the sport's history. International Rugby League confirmed on Thursday that every match across all three tournaments will stream live on the Premier Sports Player platform in 129 more countries, taking the competition to fans in the United States, France, Japan, Brazil and South Africa among others. IRL secretary general Danny Kazandjian confirmed the agreement, which arrives exactly a week before the tournament kicks off. The action runs from October 15 to November 15 across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, opening with defending champions Australia against New Zealand on October 15 at Allianz Stadium in Sydney. The men's final is set for Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on November 15. A tournament pass is priced at $25, available on desktop, iOS and Android — a deliberate play for accessibility in markets where league has a foothold but little television presence. With 129 new territories onboard, the World Cup finally gets the global shop window the sport has long argued it deserves. From Sydney to São Paulo, the next month of rugby league will be one click away.