Rugby League World Cup 2026 Kick-Off Times: UK, Australia and NZ
The Rugby League World Cup 2026 is played in Australia, New Zealand and PNG, so for fans in the UK, most matches kick off in the morning.
And because UK clocks change during the tournament, working out kick-off times can get confusing fast.
Men’s and women’s matches at the Rugby League World Cup 2026 kick off between 2:35am and 10:05am UK time, with the opener, Australia v New Zealand, at 10:05am UK time (8:05pm in Sydney) on Thursday 15 October.
UK clocks go back on Sunday 25 October, and every UK time below already allows for that.
Below, you’ll find every men’s and women’s match in UK, Sydney and New Zealand time, plus the Finals.
Fans in Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, PNG, Perth and Brisbane can use the quick conversion notes under the tables.
Quick Answer: Rugby League World Cup 2026 Kick-Off Times
- Opener: Australia v New Zealand, Thu 15 Oct, 10:05am UK, 8:05pm Sydney
- Women’s opener: Australia v Samoa, Fri 16 Oct, 10:05am UK, 8:05pm Sydney
- UK clocks change: Sunday 25 October
- Men’s Final: Sun 15 Nov, 8:35am UK, 6:35pm Brisbane
- Women’s Final: Sun 15 Nov, 5:15am UK, 3:15pm Brisbane
- Wheelchair Final: Fri 13 Nov, 8:30am UK, 7:30pm Sydney
What Time Is Australia vs New Zealand?
Australia v New Zealand kicks off at 8:05pm AEDT on Thursday 15 October 2026, at Allianz Stadium in Sydney.
That’s 10:05am in the UK and 10:05pm in New Zealand. See both squads on our Kangaroos and Kiwis squad pages.
Opening Weekend Kick-Off Times
Here are the first four days of the tournament, from 15 to 18 October.
| Date | Match | UK | Sydney | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 15 Oct | Australia v New Zealand | 10:05am | 8:05pm | 10:05pm |
| Fri 16 Oct | Samoa v France | 7:45am | 5:45pm | 7:45pm |
| Fri 16 Oct | Australia v Samoa (women) | 10:05am | 8:05pm | 10:05pm |
| Sat 17 Oct | PNG v Lebanon | 5:25am | 3:25pm | 5:25pm |
| Sat 17 Oct | England v Tonga | 10:05am | 8:05pm | 10:05pm |
| Sun 18 Oct | Fiji v Cook Islands | 6:05am | 4:05pm | 6:05pm |
Men’s Rugby League World Cup 2026 Kick-Off Times
| Date | Match | UK | Sydney | NZ, Tonga, Samoa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 15 Oct | Australia v New Zealand | 10:05am | 8:05pm | 10:05pm |
| Fri 16 Oct | Samoa v France | 7:45am | 5:45pm | 7:45pm |
| Sat 17 Oct | PNG v Lebanon | 5:25am | 3:25pm | 5:25pm |
| Sat 17 Oct | England v Tonga | 10:05am | 8:05pm | 10:05pm |
| Sun 18 Oct | Fiji v Cook Islands | 6:05am | 4:05pm | 6:05pm |
| Fri 23 Oct | Tonga v Lebanon | 10:05am | 8:05pm | 10:05pm |
| Sat 24 Oct | PNG v Samoa | 5:25am | 3:25pm | 5:25pm |
| Sat 24 Oct | England v France | 7:35am | 5:35pm | 7:35pm |
| Sun 25 Oct | New Zealand v Cook Islands | 5:05am | 4:05pm | 6:05pm |
| Sun 25 Oct | Australia v Fiji | 9:05am | 8:05pm | 10:05pm |
| Fri 30 Oct | England v PNG | 9:05am | 8:05pm | 10:05pm |
| Sat 31 Oct | New Zealand v Fiji | 4:45am | 3:45pm | 5:45pm |
| Sat 31 Oct | Australia v Cook Islands | 9:05am | 8:05pm | 10:05pm |
| Sun 1 Nov | Lebanon v France | 6:50am | 5:50pm | 7:50pm |
| Sun 1 Nov | Tonga v Samoa | 9:05am | 8:05pm | 10:05pm |
| Sat 7 Nov | Semi-final 1 (Newcastle) | 9:05am | 8:05pm | 10:05pm |
| Sun 8 Nov | Semi-final 2 (Sydney) | 9:05am | 8:05pm | 10:05pm |
| Sun 15 Nov | Final (Brisbane) | 8:35am | 7:35pm | 9:35pm |
Women’s Rugby League World Cup 2026 Kick-Off Times
| Date | Match | UK | Sydney | NZ, Tonga, Samoa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 16 Oct | Australia v Samoa | 10:05am | 8:05pm | 10:05pm |
| Sat 17 Oct | PNG v France | 3:15am | 1:15pm | 3:15pm |
| Sat 17 Oct | England v Wales | 7:35am | 5:35pm | 7:35pm |
| Sun 18 Oct | New Zealand v Fiji | 3:50am | 1:50pm | 3:50pm |
| Fri 23 Oct | Samoa v Wales | 7:50am | 5:50pm | 7:50pm |
| Sat 24 Oct | Fiji v PNG | 3:15am | 1:15pm | 3:15pm |
| Sat 24 Oct | Australia v England | 10:05am | 8:05pm | 10:05pm |
| Sun 25 Oct | New Zealand v France | 2:50am | 1:50pm | 3:50pm |
| Fri 30 Oct | England v Samoa | 6:50am | 5:50pm | 7:50pm |
| Sat 31 Oct | Fiji v France | 2:35am | 1:35pm | 3:35pm |
| Sat 31 Oct | New Zealand v PNG | 6:55am | 5:55pm | 7:55pm |
| Sun 1 Nov | Australia v Wales | 4:45am | 3:45pm | 5:45pm |
| Sat 7 Nov | Semi-final 1 | 6:55am | 5:55pm | 7:55pm |
| Sun 8 Nov | Semi-final 2 | 6:55am | 5:55pm | 7:55pm |
| Sun 15 Nov | Final (Brisbane) | 5:15am | 4:15pm | 6:15pm |
Wheelchair World Cup Kick-Off Times
Every Wheelchair World Cup match is in Wollongong. The opening day, Friday 30 October, starts with Ireland v USA at 2:00am UK time (1:00pm Sydney).
England v Wales follows at 4:30am UK time (3:30pm Sydney). The Final is on Friday 13 November at 8:30am UK time (7:30pm Sydney). See our Wheelchair World Cup guide.
Kick-Off Times for Fiji, PNG, Perth and Brisbane
Use the tables above and adjust with these simple rules.
| Where you are | How to work it out |
|---|---|
| Tonga and Samoa | Same as the New Zealand column |
| Fiji | 1 hour behind the New Zealand column |
| Papua New Guinea | 1 hour behind the Sydney column |
| Brisbane, Gold Coast, Townsville | 1 hour behind the Sydney column |
| Perth | 3 hours behind the Sydney column |
For match-by-match times in your own team’s time zone, see our squad pages for England, Fiji, Tonga and PNG.
What Channel Is the Rugby League World Cup On?
Every match is live on Premier Sports in the UK and Ireland, free on Seven and 7plus in Australia, and on Sky Sport in New Zealand.
Travelling for the World Cup? Many fans use a VPN like NordVPN to keep their home streaming account working abroad. (We may earn a commission if you sign up.)
For other countries, see our how to watch guide. For venues and dates, see the full Rugby League World Cup 2026 schedule.
Rugby League World Cup 2026 Kick-Off Times: FAQ
What time does the Rugby League World Cup 2026 start in the UK?
The opening match, Australia v New Zealand, kicks off at 10:05am UK time on Thursday 15 October 2026.
What time is the Rugby League World Cup 2026 Final in the UK?
The men’s Final kicks off at 8:35am UK time on Sunday 15 November, after the women’s Final at 5:15am.
Do UK clocks change during the World Cup?
Yes. UK clocks go back on Sunday 25 October. The UK times in our tables already allow for this.
What time is England v Tonga in the UK?
England v Tonga kicks off at 10:05am UK time on Saturday 17 October 2026, in Perth.
What time is the opening match in New Zealand?
Australia v New Zealand kicks off at 10:05pm New Zealand time on Thursday 15 October 2026.
Conclusion
UK fans are in for early mornings, while fans in Australia and New Zealand get afternoon and evening kick-offs.
After each match, find the score and the updated table on our Rugby League World Cup results page.
Kick-off times can change, so always check the official rlwc2026.com draw before match day.
