Rugby League World Cup Queensland 2026: what you need to know
The Rugby League World Cup Queensland 2026 matches bring international rugby league to three Queensland cities this spring. The tournament runs from 15 October to 15 November 2026 across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, and Queensland hosts five of the biggest fixtures, including both the men’s and women’s finals at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
The Queensland Government expects the matches to draw around 110,000 interstate and international visitors and inject more than $18 million into the state, according to a statement from the Premier’s office. That means accommodation will be in demand on match weekends.
This guide covers every Queensland fixture, tickets, getting to each stadium and what to do around the games in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Townsville.
Information checked October 2026.
2026 Rugby League World Cup at a glance
- Dates: 15 October to 15 November 2026
- Competitions: a 10-team men’s tournament, an 8-team women’s tournament and an 8-team wheelchair tournament
- Queensland host cities: Brisbane, Gold Coast and Townsville
- Finals: men’s and women’s finals at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, on Sunday 15 November
- Tickets: through Ticketmaster, the official ticketing agent
The wheelchair tournament is played entirely in Wollongong, NSW, and the semi-finals are in Newcastle and Sydney on 7 and 8 November, so the Queensland matches are group games plus the two finals.
Which teams are playing?
Ten nations contest the men’s Rugby League World Cup: Australia, Cook Islands, England, Fiji, France, Lebanon, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tonga. The women’s tournament features Australia, England, Fiji, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Wales.
For Queensland fans, the headline games are the Kangaroos’ two home fixtures against Pacific nations, plus the chance to see Fiji play in both Brisbane and on the Gold Coast within a week.
Queensland fixtures: dates and venues
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Sun 25 Oct | Australia v Fiji (men) | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane |
| Sat 31 Oct | Fiji v France (women) | Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast |
| Sat 31 Oct | New Zealand v Fiji (men) | Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast |
| Sat 31 Oct | New Zealand v Papua New Guinea (women) | Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast |
| Sat 31 Oct | Australia v Cook Islands (men) | Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville |
| Sun 15 Nov | Women’s final and men’s final | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane |
The Australia matches in Brisbane and Townsville are listed in published fixtures with a 7:05pm (AEST) kick-off, and the men’s final at 6:35pm (AEST), with the women’s final earlier the same afternoon. Kick-off times can change for broadcast, so confirm them on your ticket before you travel.
Brisbane: Suncorp Stadium and the World Cup finals
Brisbane is the centre of the Rugby League World Cup in Queensland. Suncorp Stadium in Milton, which holds about 52,500 people, hosts the Kangaroos against Fiji on 25 October and a finals double-header on 15 November, when both world champions will be crowned.
Getting to Suncorp Stadium
Your match ticket includes free public transport on the Queensland Rail City Network (excluding Airtrain) and all Transport for Brisbane buses, from 4 hours before kick-off until 4 hours after the game, according to Suncorp Stadium. Just show your ticket when you board.
- Milton Station: about 700m from the stadium
- Roma Street Station: about 1km away
- Event shuttles: direct buses from the City, Carindale, Eight Mile Plains/Mt Gravatt, Chermside and The Gap
Extra trains run after the match, but expect queues at both stations.
Making a weekend of it in Brisbane
Staying in the CBD or South Brisbane puts you within walking distance or a short train ride of the stadium, and close to the river, South Bank’s parklands and the city’s restaurants. For more ideas, see our guide to Queensland’s cities.
Gold Coast: a triple-header at Cbus Super Stadium
On Saturday 31 October, Cbus Super Stadium in Robina hosts three games in one day: two women’s matches and New Zealand against Fiji in the men’s competition. It’s the best-value day of the tournament in Queensland if you want to see as much rugby league as possible on one ticket.
Getting to Cbus Super Stadium
Your ticket covers free travel on Kinetic buses, Queensland Rail City Network trains (excluding AirTrain) and G:link trams from 4 hours before to 4 hours after the event, according to Cbus Super Stadium.
- Robina Station: about 350m south of the stadium, so the train is the easiest option
- From Brisbane: the stadium is about 80km south of the Brisbane CBD
- From the airport: about 15km north of Coolangatta
- Parking: there is no on-site public parking; park-and-ride shuttles run from three locations during major events
Things to do on the Gold Coast
Spend the morning before the triple-header at the beach. Surfers Paradise, Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta are all a short bus or tram trip away. Our guide to the best Queensland beaches has more ideas. Swim between the red and yellow flags at patrolled beaches.
Townsville: Australia v Cook Islands
North Queensland gets its own Kangaroos match on Saturday 31 October, when Australia meets the Cook Islands at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. The stadium sits at 2 Pride Close, Railway Estate, on the edge of the Townsville CBD.
Getting to Queensland Country Bank Stadium
The venue says walking is the best way to reach the stadium precinct. From the city, cross the Victoria Street Bridge onto the Central Park Boardwalk, or use the Little Fletcher Pedestrian Bridge. There is no public parking at the stadium, but a free park-and-ride shuttle runs from Lou Litster Park on event days, subject to event requirements. Check details on the stadium’s getting here page.
Things to do in Townsville
Townsville is a good base for a longer North Queensland trip. Walk The Strand foreshore, climb Castle Hill for views over the city, or take the ferry to Magnetic Island for a day of bays and bushwalks. Read more in our guide to the islands of the Great Barrier Reef.
Stinger season in tropical Queensland waters runs from November to May, so if you head out to the islands or beaches around the match, swim in stinger nets where they are provided and wear a stinger suit.
How much are Rugby League World Cup 2026 tickets?
When tickets went on sale in November 2025, NRL.com reported these starting prices:
- Group stage and semi-finals: from $19 for adults and $49 for families
- Finals at Suncorp Stadium: from $39 for adults and $109 for families
Ticketmaster is the exclusive ticketing agent. Its help page lists four ticket types for every match:
- Adult: 16 years and over
- Junior: 4 to 15 years
- Family package: two adults and two juniors, or one adult and three juniors
- Concession: for eligible card holders, including pensioner, health care and full-time student cards
There is a limit of 10 tickets per transaction. Tickets are mobile only, so download the Ticketmaster app and have your phone charged on match day. Prices vary by seat and fees may apply.
Rugby League World Cup Queensland trip tips
- Book accommodation early. The Gold Coast and Townsville matches fall on the same Saturday, and the finals weekend is the busiest of the tournament in Brisbane.
- Use public transport. All three stadiums have no or very limited public parking.
- Plan for the heat. Late October and November are warm across Queensland. Wear a hat and sunscreen to day games and carry water.
- Arrive early. Allow time for security and for crowds at stations after the game.
- Combine matches. Robina is about 80km south of the Brisbane CBD, so you can base yourself in one city for the 25 October and 31 October games.
Rugby League World Cup Queensland FAQs
When is the 2026 Rugby League World Cup final?
The men’s and women’s finals are on Sunday 15 November 2026 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. The men’s final is listed to kick off at 6:35pm AEST, with the women’s final earlier that afternoon.
Which Rugby League World Cup games are in Queensland?
Queensland hosts Australia v Fiji (men) in Brisbane on 25 October, a Gold Coast triple-header and Australia v Cook Islands (men) in Townsville on 31 October, and both finals in Brisbane on 15 November.
Is public transport free with Rugby League World Cup tickets?
At Suncorp Stadium and Cbus Super Stadium, your event ticket includes free public transport from 4 hours before to 4 hours after the event, excluding Airtrain. In Townsville, walking or the free park-and-ride shuttle is the recommended option.
How much are tickets to the World Cup final?
Finals tickets were released from $39 for adults and $109 for a family package. Prices vary by seating category, and fees may apply.
Where are the semi-finals being played?
The semi-finals are not in Queensland. They are at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on 7 November and Allianz Stadium in Sydney on 8 November.
Can I take children to the games?
Yes. Junior tickets cover ages 4 to 15, and family packages are available for every match. Check Ticketmaster for the rules for children under 4.
Get your tickets and plan your trip
Buy tickets through Ticketmaster, then lock in your accommodation and transport for match weekend. If you are staying on after the footy, browse our Queensland tours for reef trips, island days and city experiences in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Townsville.
