Competition structure

One game. Together.

The Rugby League World Cup has been the pinnacle of international rugby league since 1954. Now contested every four years, with a series of qualification tournaments leading up to it, the RLWC is open to all full and affiliate members of the International Rugby League (IRL).

For the first time, the men's, women's and wheelchair competitions will be staged in a single, celebratory event, culminating in an epic finals weekend to crown the champions of each. RLWC2021 is set to be an unmissable event!

RLWC2021 will take place twelve months later than originally planned, but we can’t wait to welcome the greatest athletes into some of the best stadia across England and have a global spotlight shone on Rugby League in 2022. Now scheduled for the Saturday 15 October 2022 and Saturday 19 November 2022, RLWC2021 will see the opening match remain at Newcastle’s St James Park, with the double-header final also staged at its original home in Manchester at Old Trafford.

We are working hard to confirm the full tournament fixture schedule including ticket details and availability and will be providing updates as soon as can.

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Men's

A special occasion
The pinnacle event in International Rugby League.

Women's

An unprecedented platform
Bigger & better than ever

Wheelchair

An iconic event
A truly inclusive sport, for all.

Key dates

All dates are subject to change

January - July 2018

Stage one: Host bid process

Towns and cities from across England and beyond commence the host process to express interest in staging RLWC2021 events. Stage one bids close 31 July 2018.

August to December 2018

Host bid candidate stage

Successful applicants from the initial host bid process proceed to the candidate stage.

June 2018

Men's qualifiers start

The qualification process for the men's competition will commence with European qualifiers. All RLWC2021 competing nations will be known by November 2019.

January 2019

Hosts announcement

Following a rigorous review and selection process, RLWC2021 hosts will be announced.

August 2021

RLWC2021 to now take place in 2022

The new dates of Saturday 15 October 2022 until Saturday 19 November 2022, were announced as RLWC2021 moves to 2022. The opening match remains at Newcastle’s St James Park, with the double-header final also staged at its original home in Manchester at Old Trafford.

Late 2021

Tickets on sale

RLWC2021 tickets go on sale to the general public. More information will be released via RLWC2021.com in due course.

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