Pay-TV network Premier Sports has entered into a significant global streaming partnership with the International Rugby League (IRL) governing body, ahead of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup (RLWC).
Through a tie-up unveiled today, the Premier Sports Player platform will broadcast every fixture from the RLWC – which actually contains men's, women's, and wheelchair tournaments and will take place across Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea – to fans in 129 extra countries.
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Premier Sports already held exclusive rights in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, Canada, and 22 Asian territories (through Premier Sports Asia).
In total, the agreement covers 45 countries in Africa, 12 (extra) in Asia, 38 in Europe, and 34 in the Americas.
It extends across major markets such as the US, Brazil, South Africa, France, and Japan.
The partnership and the launch of this streaming platform have been unveiled with the 2026 RLWC set to get underway on October 15 in Sydney, Australia, and run through until November 15.
A tournament pass covering the entire RLWC will be available for the equivalent of $25, from the broadcaster's online site, as well as from desktop, iOS, and Android apps.
Danny Kazandjian, secretary general at International Rugby League, commented: "It was very important that rugby league fans all around the world have the opportunity to watch the Rugby League World Cup and we are pleased to extend our partnership with Premier Sport to provide that service.”
Premier Sports previously covered both the 2013 and 2017 editions of the RLWC in the UK and Ireland.
The heavyweight IMG sports marketing agency is acting as exclusive, worldwide, media rights partner for the RLWC, on behalf of IRL.
The tournament will be covered domestically by Seven Network (Australia), and also by Sky New Zealand.
For Premier Sports, this announcement comes shortly after the broadcaster unveiled a multi-year rights extension in the UK and Ireland with top-tier ice hockey's NHL.
This agreement, which spans the next three seasons, will run through the 2028-29 campaign, bringing Premier Sports’ NHL coverage, which began in 2011, to 18 years by that point.
The broadcaster also holds UK and Irish rights to a selection of soccer leagues from around the world, as well as Nascar motor racing and top-tier rugby union.
