Rugby League World Cup kicks off with Australia-New Zealand showdown in Sydney

The 2026 Rugby League World Cup kicked off on Thursday 15 October at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, with reigning men's champions Australia beginning their title defence against arch-rivals New Zealand in a packed opener. The month-long tournament runs from 15 October to 15 November and takes place across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, with 10 men's teams competing for the title Australia last won in 2022. The women's tournament, featuring Australia's Jillaroos defending their crown against Samoa, launches the following night at CommBank Stadium. The wheelchair World Cup gets underway in Wollongong on 30 October. Organisers promoted the opening fixture as the biggest Trans-Tasman rugby league clash in years, with hosts hoping sell-out crowds and family-friendly ticketing will boost the sport across the southern hemisphere. The Kangaroos entered as favourites, backed by a core of NRL grand finalists, while the Kiwis arrived under a new coaching ticket seeking to end a long wait for the trophy. The event is also seen as a critical shop-window for Papua New Guinea's co-hosting bid and for the sport's push to grow in women's and inclusive formats.