Newcastle locks in Rugby League World Cup openers and semi-finals for 2026

newy.com.au – Newcastle will host opening round and semi-final fixtures of the Rugby League World Cup 2026 under a deal announced by the Minns Labor Government on Monday 24 November 2025.

The NSW Government says securing a slate of men’s and women’s World Cup games will draw thousands of visitors to the Hunter, reinforce Newcastle’s reputation as an international sporting destination and inject more than $19 million into the state’s visitor economy.

Round One of the tournament will kick off at McDonald Jones Stadium on 18 October 2026, with a Sunday afternoon double-header bringing together some of the Pacific’s biggest rugby league nations. The New Zealand women’s side will face Fiji Bulikula before a men’s group-stage clash between Fiji Bati and their Cook Islands neighbours.

Newcastle will then stage the first men’s and women’s semi-finals on Saturday 7 November 2026, with the government expecting thousands of rugby league fans from around the world to travel to the city for the high-stakes fixtures. A further 12 World Cup matches will be played in Sydney and Wollongong.

According to the government’s estimates, Rugby League World Cup 2026 will attract more than 32,000 fans to New South Wales and inject over $19 million into the visitor economy, supporting hotels, pubs, restaurants and tourism operators across the three host cities and surrounding regions.

The tournament has been pitched as a key plank of the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035, which aims to grow the state’s visitor economy to $91 billion by 2035. A central focus of the strategy is building a year-round calendar of major events that sustain jobs and businesses that rely on tourism.

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said the announcement confirmed Newcastle’s status as a rugby league stronghold and a destination for major events. “Newcastle is Rugby League heartland and that passion will be on full display during the 2026 World Cup,” Ms Catley said.

Catley said the tournament would be a chance for travelling fans to experience game day in the city as well as the wider region. “Watching a footy game at McDonald Jones Stadium should be on every League fan’s bucket list and the 2026 World Cup is the perfect opportunity to experience a double-header game day in Newcastle,” she said. “Our city is a world class sporting destination and it is terrific that thousands of people will travel here not only for the match, but to experience everything we have to offer.”

Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said hosting multiple World Cup fixtures was a reward for the city’s loyal rugby league supporter base. “Newcastle is the home of thousands of devoted rugby league fans. This is a huge win for my community,” Mr Crakanthorp said.

He pointed to the run of elite codes hosted in Newcastle in 2025 as proof the city could deliver major events. “In 2025, we saw major sporting events come to our city, from NRLW Magic Round to Wallabies and Wallaroos home tests. It is great to see more major events lined up for 2026,” he said. “I can’t wait to show the world how great Newcastle is.”

The government says the Rugby League World Cup will add to an already crowded 2026 sports calendar in NSW, alongside events including the United Cup, New Year’s Ashes Test, Sydney Sail GP, AFC Women’s Asian Cup, Sydney 500, Bathurst 1000, State of Origin, the NRL and NRLW Grand Finals and the TCS Sydney Marathon Abbott World Marathon Major.

Further details on fixtures and tickets for Rugby League World Cup 2026 are available at rlwc2026.com.