Major Rugby League World Cup update as 2030 host nation reported whilst 2026 final venue set for announcement
Reports have emerged this week that the Rugby League World Cup has found it’s host for 2030, and if confirmed it will see the prestigious tournament hosted outside the UK, France and Oceania for the first time ever.
The tournament, which will be the 18th instalment of the event, is due to head to new a new country, as the sport continues to look for new markets to venture into.
Following on from the success of the NRL’s Las Vegas matches, the United States are set to be the nation to host the 2030 competition, with the International Rugby League board keen to keep that partnership between the sport and the country prospering.
A report from Nine’s Wide World of Sports in Australia has revealed that the US is the preferred host, with other countries such as Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and South Africa all making bids to hold the competition.
Where specifically in the States it will be held remains to be seen, but New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago and Honolulu are thought to be the sport’s next targets to venture into.
A decision that will confirm where the 2030 World Cup will be held is expected to be made in the coming months, with ARLC chairman Peter V’landys discussing the venue for that tournament with other major rugby league officials during his time in England for the ongoing Ashes series.
Final venue for 2026 Rugby League World Cup set for confirmation
It’s not just the 2030 World Cup that has had a new update this week, with next year’s edition reportedly finding a venue for the final.
Old Trafford hosted the competition’s culmination in 2022, as a crowd of over 67,000 witness Australia beat Samoa to retain the trophy.
The 2026 tournament, which will be hosted primarily in Australia but will have games in Papua New Guinea too, will be made up of 10 teams and will be formatted in a group of four and two groups of three, with only a semi-final stage set to be held before the final.
Where that final will be played is yet to be officially confirmed, but The Daily Telegraph have stated this week that Suncorp Stadium, home of the Brisbane Broncos, will be the venue that proudly hosts such a prestigious fixture.
The stadium has history in hosting the World Cup finale, with the 2008 and 2017 events coming to a conclusion there, too. Should Suncorp get the green light, it will match Old Trafford for the most World Cup Finals to be held at the venue.
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