Triumph or flop? The Rugby League World Cup that split opinion
Summary
Australia won the men’s and women’s titles at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, while England won the wheelchair competition. The tournament made a profit, but its smaller men’s field, uneven contests and limited live coverage for viewers in the UK and North America drew criticism.Key Facts
- Australia won the men’s and women’s titles for the fourth consecutive World Cup.
- England beat France in the wheelchair final.
- The men’s tournament had 10 teams, down from 16 in 2022.
- Australia took over as host after France withdrew for financial reasons, and the tournament was postponed by a year.
- The tournament made a profit.
- Channel Seven paid a reported A$12 million for exclusive free-to-air coverage in Australia.
- In the UK, only the wheelchair final aired free, on BBC iPlayer; viewers needed a Premier Sports subscription for other matches.
- Premier Sports was also the only way to watch the tournament in North America.
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