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).

In 2021, 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!

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