Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup 2026: Schedule, Teams and Groups
England and France are the only two nations to have ever won the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup, with two titles each.
In 2026, the tournament returns to Australia for the first time since 2008, and every single match is played in one arena.
So when does it start, who is playing, and how can you watch it live?
The Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup 2026 runs from 30 October to the Final on 13 November, with eight teams playing 20 matches at the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong.
England start as the world’s number one ranked team and defending champions, after beating France 28–24 in the 2021 final.
Below, you’ll find both groups, the full tournament format, the teams to watch and how to follow every match live.
Quick Answer: Wheelchair RLWC 2026
- Dates: 30 October to 13 November 2026
- Venue: WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong (every match)
- Teams: 8, in two groups of four
- Matches: 20 over 15 days
- Opening day: Friday 30 October, Ireland v USA and England v Wales
- Defending champions: England
Wheelchair World Cup 2026 Teams and Groups
Eight nations are split into two groups of four.
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| Group A | England, Ireland, United States, Wales |
| Group B | Australia, France, New Zealand, Scotland |
How Did Each Team Qualify?
England, France, Australia and Wales qualified automatically as semi-finalists from the last World Cup.
New Zealand and the USA were added in 2025 to represent Asia-Pacific and the Americas.
Ireland and Scotland won the last two places through a European application process.
How the Wheelchair World Cup Works
Each team plays the other three teams in its group once. The top two in each group reach the semi-finals.
The Group B winner plays the Group A runner-up on 9 November, and the Group A winner plays the Group B runner-up on 10 November.
The teams finishing third and fourth play ranking matches, so every nation plays right up to the final week.
Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup 2026 Schedule
| Date | Stage |
|---|---|
| Fri 30 Oct | Group A begins: Ireland v USA, England v Wales |
| Sat 31 Oct | Group B begins: Australia, France, New Zealand and Scotland |
| 9–10 Nov | Semi-finals and ranking semi-finals |
| Thu 12 Nov | 5th to 8th place play-offs |
| Fri 13 Nov | Third-place play-off and Final |
Opening day on 30 October coincides with a men’s and women’s double-header at WIN Stadium, just down the road.
For match times, check the official draw on rlwc2026.com, and see our RLWC 2026 schedule for every other match.
What Is Wheelchair Rugby League?
Wheelchair rugby league is a five-a-side version of the game, played indoors on a court.
Instead of a full tackle, players make a “tackle” by pulling a tag from an opponent’s shoulder.
Teams can include both disabled and non-disabled players, and men and women can play together.
Teams to Watch
England
England are the world’s number one ranked team and won the World Cup in 2008 and 2021.
Their 2021 final win over France drew a world record wheelchair rugby league crowd of 4,526 in Manchester. Follow England’s other teams on our England World Cup squad page.
France
France won back-to-back titles in 2013 and 2017, and they’ve reached every final since.
Another England v France final would surprise nobody.
Australia (Wheelaroos)
The hosts reached the semi-finals in 2021, and their best result is runners-up at the first World Cup in 2008.
With a home crowd behind them in Wollongong, they’ll be aiming to go one better.
Australia Wheelaroos Squad for the Wheelchair World Cup
Australia have named a 10-player Wheelaroos squad, coached by Brett Clark and captained by Bayley McKenna.
| Wheelaroos squad |
|---|
| Bayley McKenna (captain) |
| Daniel Anstey |
| Peter Arbuckle |
| Cory Cannane |
| Diab Karim |
| Liam Luff |
| Toby Popple |
| Stephan Rochecouste |
| Zac Schumacher |
| Adam Tannock |
We’ll add the other nations’ wheelchair squads here as they are announced.
How to Watch the Wheelchair World Cup
- UK and Ireland: Premier Sports, which is showing every match of all three tournaments
- Australia: Seven Network and 7plus hold the RLWC 2026 rights
- New Zealand: Sky Sport
For more countries, see our guide to watching RLWC 2026.
Tickets for the Wheelchair World Cup
Tickets for every Wheelchair World Cup session are sold through Ticketmaster, the official ticket seller.
Our RLWC 2026 tickets guide explains where to buy safely and how to avoid scam sellers.
Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup Winners
| Year | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | England | Australia |
| 2013 | France | England |
| 2017 | France | England |
| 2021 | England | France |
See the men’s and women’s winners too in our Rugby League World Cup winners list.
The Women’s World Cup runs at the same time. See our Women’s Rugby League World Cup 2026 guide.
Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup 2026: FAQ
When is the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup 2026?
It runs from 30 October to the Final on 13 November 2026.
Where is the Wheelchair World Cup 2026 played?
Every match is played at the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong, New South Wales.
Who are the defending champions?
England are the defending champions. They beat France 28–24 in the 2021 final.
How many teams are in the Wheelchair World Cup 2026?
Eight teams: England, Ireland, the USA and Wales in Group A, and Australia, France, New Zealand and Scotland in Group B.
What is wheelchair rugby league?
It’s a five-a-side version of rugby league played indoors, where tackles are made by pulling a tag from a player’s shoulder.
Summary: Wheelchair RLWC 2026
Eight teams, 20 matches and one arena: Wollongong hosts the whole Wheelchair World Cup.
England and France start as favourites, but the home crowd could lift Australia’s Wheelaroos.
It all starts on 30 October. For official news, follow International Rugby League.
