Pay-TV broadcaster Premier Sports has snapped up rights in the UK and Ireland (its home market) to the upcoming Rugby League World Cup (RLWC).
The 2026 RLWC will be held across Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea, between October 15 and November 15, and UK and Irish fans will be able to watch all 18 matches from the men's edition live.
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From the women's and wheelchair World Cups, meanwhile, Premier Sports will cover all England games, as well as the semi-finals and final of each tournament.
In making its announcement around these rights today, Premier Sports has also said there is "provision to broadcast more women's and wheelchair World Cup matches live," depending on other scheduling requirements.
In terms of its previous RLWC coverage, Dublin-based Premier Sports aired both the 2013 and 2017 editions. The 2022 RLWC, meanwhile, took place in the UK and was aired in that market and in Ireland by the public-service BBC.
This deal has been negotiated by the heavyweight IMG sports marketing agency, which acts as the exclusive worldwide media rights partner for the upcoming World Cup, on behalf of the International Rugby League (IRL) governing body.
IMG landed these rights last November.
Premier Sports has also closed a deal to cover the RLWC in Canada, as well as in 20 countries across Southeast Asia.
Danny Kazandjian, secretary general at the IRL, commented: "Premier Sports has had a strong partnership with international rugby league events for many years … IRL is really excited about renewing that relationship as we continue to develop our business.”
Richard Sweeney, Premier Sports' chief executive, added: "Premier Sports has a proud history with rugby league, from the 2013 and 2017 World Cups to our more recent coverage of the Rugby League Championship. We are excited to bring that experience and commitment to this tournament and to showcase the very best of the international game."
