An unmissable event
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.
Key Dates
Stage 1: Host Bid Process
Towns and cities from across England and beyond commence the host process to express interest in staging RLWC2021 events. Stage 1 bids close 31st July, 2018.
Host Bid Candidate Stage
Successful applicants from initial Host Bid Process to proceed to Candidate Stage
Mens Qualifiers Start
Qualification process for the Men's competition will commence with European qualifiers. All RLWC2021 competing nations will be known by November 2019.
Hosts Announcement
Following a rigorous review and selection process, RLWC2021 Hosts will be announced.
Tickets on Sale
RLWC2021 tickets go on sale to the general public. More information will be released via RLWC2021.com in due course.
Men's Groups Stages Start
Four groups of four teams commence competition across England.
Women's Group Games Commence
Eight teams will compete in 15 games across 18 days.
Men's Quarter Finals Start
Wheelchair Group Stages Begin
For the first time the Wheelchair competition will take place along side the Men's and Women's, with eight teams competing.
Men's Semi Finals Start
The winning teams from each of the quarter finals will proceed to the semi finals.
Women's Semi Finals Start
The top four teams from the group games will compete for a place in the final.
Wheelchair Semi Finals Start
The top two teams from the group games will compete for a place in the final to be scheduled as part of one Finals Weekend along side the Men's and Women's Final.
Wheelchair Final
The Wheelchair final takes place at the M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool.
Women's Final
Old Trafford, Manchester hosts the two winners from the semi-final in the Women's Final.
Men's Final
The Men's final concludes the epic Finals Weekend and RLWC2021.
