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.
Chief Executive Officer National Rugby League, Andrew Abdo, said: "International rugby league is the ultimate stage and representing your country is the ultimate honour.
“In less than a year, the Rugby League World Cup 2026 will deliver the most competitive international tournament in the game’s history. We are excited to be partnering with the Seven Network to bring every match live and free across Australia."
Seven will also extend its successful The Agenda Setters brand to Rugby League, with a new panel show beginning from round one of the NRL season and continuing through to the end of RLWC2026.
Seven Network Director of Sport, Chris Jones, said: “To broadcast RLWC2026 to Australians across the country builds on our dedication to providing exceptional live and free sport programming 365 days of the year on Seven and 7plus Sport.
“With every game exclusive to Seven and 7plus Sport, the tournament will form part of an epic spring of sport, running alongside Australia’s premier thoroughbred racing and record-breaking Supercars Championship coverage.
“We cannot wait to expand Seven’s sport offering into the NRL season. The Agenda Setters: Rugby League will do just as the name suggests and be at the forefront of news and opinion from the start of the NRL season right through to the end of the Rugby League World Cup,” he said.
“With an unbeatable 2026 sport calendar that begins with the Summer of Cricket, the 2026 AFL season, the Birmingham 2026 Commonwealth Games, Supercars Championship and now the Rugby League World Cup, there is something for every Australian on Seven and 7plus Sport.”
Seven’s Commercial Director, Sport, Renee Quirk, said: “World-class events on home soil have historically delivered exceptional ratings results for Seven and we are thrilled to add RLWC2026 to our extensive live and free sport offering.
“With the historic success of the Kangaroos and Jillaroos at World Cups past, paired with the passion of the fans on Australian shores and in neighbouring countries, we cannot wait to deliver every heart-racing moment to living rooms across the country – live, free and exclusively on Seven and 7plus Sport.”
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.
