IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026 rules confirmed

The International Rugby League Board has approved competition-specific rules for the Rugby League World Cup 2026, to be held in Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea from October 15 to November 15. The tournament will adopt the 2026 NRL and NRLW Premiership Rules, incorporating technology such as the Video Review Bunker, Captain's Challenge, and Shot Clocks, with Men's and Women's finals scheduled at Suncorp Stadium. Golden Point will be used to decide drawn matches, Women's games will run for 70 minutes, and the Wheelchair World Cup will run concurrently with the Men's and Women's tournaments.