The 2026 Rugby League World Cup is already underway. It kicked off on 15 October 2026 with Australia edging New Zealand at Allianz Stadium in Sydney. The final is set for 15 November 2026 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia.
The tournament is being co-hosted by Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. 10 teams are playing 18 matches across nine cities, and Australia come in as the team to beat.
There is no Irish team in the men’s tournament this year, but Ireland will compete in the wheelchair World Cup being staged alongside it.
Heads up: most matches kick off in the early morning in Ireland, between 4:30 am and 10:05 am, so plan your alarms (or your recordings) accordingly.
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When & Where is the Rugby League World Cup Happening?
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How to Watch Rugby League World Cup in Ireland for Free
In Australia, 7Plus is showing every match of the tournament live and free, alongside Channel 7 and 7mate. Since 7Plus is geo-restricted to Australia, you’ll need a VPN like Surfshark to stream from Ireland.
Here’s how to watch the Rugby League World Cup in Ireland for free on 7Plus:
Step 1: Subscribe to a reliable VPN service (Surfshark is the best VPN)
Step 2: Download and install the Surfshark VPN App on your device
Step 3: Open the app and connect to the Australian server.
Step 4: Visit the 7Plus official website and click on the profile icon in the top right corner
Step 5: Click on Register to make a new account, or sign in
Step 6: Add your personal information and Australian ZIP code (0872) to create an account
Step 7: Verify your account via email
Step 8: Open the Live section, select the Rugby League World Cup match and enjoy free streaming!
How to Watch Rugby League World Cup Match in Ireland
Premier Sports holds exclusive rights to the Rugby League World Cup in Ireland and the UK. It is showing all 18 men’s matches live, including the semi-finals and final, plus every England match and the semi-finals and finals in the women’s and wheelchair tournaments.
You can watch it on a NOW Sports Extra membership, starting at €17/month, which includes Premier Sports.
Here’s how to watch the Rugby League World Cup in Ireland on mobile via NOW TV:
Step 1: Download the NOW TV app from the Play Store or APK
Step 2: Open the app and tap the sidebar
Step 3: Choose Sports Membership
Step 4: Select the Sports Extra plan and click Claim offer
Step 5: Click Checkout
Step 6: Create your account via Continue to checkout, or sign in with an existing one
Step 7: Enter your credentials
Step 8: Choose your payment plan, enter your details, and subscribe. Enjoy streaming!
Schedule for Rugby League World Cup 2026 (Irish Time)
| Date | Irish Time | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Oct 15 | 10:05 am | Australia vs New Zealand | Allianz Stadium, Sydney |
| Fri, Oct 16 | 7:45 am | Samoa vs France | CommBank Stadium, Sydney |
| Sat, Oct 17 | 5:25 am | Papua New Guinea vs Lebanon | Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby |
| Sat, Oct 17 | 10:05 am | England vs Tonga | HBF Park, Perth |
| Sun, Oct 18 | 6:05 am | Fiji vs Cook Islands | McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle |
| Fri, Oct 23 | 10:05 am | Tonga vs Lebanon | CommBank Stadium, Sydney |
| Sat, Oct 24 | 5:25 am | Papua New Guinea vs Samoa | Santos National Football Stadium, Port Moresby |
| Sat, Oct 24 | 7:35 am | England vs France | HBF Park, Perth |
| Sun, Oct 25 | 5:05 am | New Zealand vs Cook Islands | One NZ Stadium, Christchurch |
| Sun, Oct 25 | 9:05 am | Australia vs Fiji | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane |
| Fri, Oct 30 | 9:05 am | England vs Papua New Guinea | WIN Stadium, Wollongong |
| Sat, Oct 31 | 4:30 am | New Zealand vs Fiji | Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast |
| Sat, Oct 31 | 9:05 am | Australia vs Cook Islands | Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville |
| Sun, Nov 1 | 6:40 am | Lebanon vs France | CommBank Stadium, Sydney |
| Sun, Nov 1 | 9:05 am | Tonga vs Samoa | CommBank Stadium, Sydney |
| Sat, Nov 7 | 9:05 am | Semi-final 1 | McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle |
| Sun, Nov 8 | 9:05 am | Semi-final 2 | Allianz Stadium, Sydney |
| Sun, Nov 15 | 8:35 am | Final | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane |
Note: Daylight Saving Time in Ireland ends on October 25, 2026, moving local time from IST (UTC+1) to GMT (UTC+0). Kickoff times and venues are subject to change.
How the Rugby League World Cup 2026 Format Works
The men’s tournament has a slightly unusual format with two sections:
- Pool A: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Cook Islands play each other once.
- Pool B & C (combined table): England, Samoa and Lebanon each play Tonga, France and Papua New Guinea. All nine matches count towards one six-team table.
Four teams reach the semi-finals: the top two from Pool A and the top two from the combined Pool B & C table. The group stage ends on 1 November.
Other Rugby & Sports Tournaments to Watch in Ireland
Here’s a list of rugby tournaments and leagues to watch in Ireland with the help of a VPN like Surfshark:
FAQs – Rugby League World Cup
1. Where can I watch the Rugby League World Cup in Ireland?
Premier Sports has exclusive rights in Ireland and the UK and shows all 18 men’s matches live. You can get it through a NOW Sports Extra membership.
2. Is the Rugby League World Cup on RTÉ or the BBC?
No. Neither broadcaster is covering the 2026 tournament, so there is no free-to-air option in Ireland.
3. Can I watch the Rugby League World Cup for free?
Yes, with a VPN. 7Plus in Australia streams every match live and free. Connect to an Australian server with Surfshark and sign up for a free 7Plus account.
4. What time are the matches in Ireland?
Because the tournament is in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, kickoffs range from 4:30 am to 10:05 am Irish time.
5. When is the Rugby League World Cup final?
The final is on Sunday, 15 November 2026 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, with an 8:35 am Irish time kickoff.
6. Is Ireland playing in the Rugby League World Cup?
Ireland is not in the men’s tournament, but the Irish team is in the wheelchair Rugby League World Cup. Premier Sports is showing the semi-finals and final of that event, with the wheelchair final due on 13 November.
Conclusion
The 2026 Rugby League World Cup kicked off on 15 October 2026, running through to the final on 15 November 2026 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
You can watch every match in Ireland on Premier Sports via NOW, or stream for free on 7Plus using a VPN. Surfshark is our #1 choice
