Global governing body International Rugby League have confirmed the hosts of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup with Papua New Guinea to stage matches alongside Australia.
On Wednesday, International Rugby League (IRL) announced World Cup hosting rights have been awarded to the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC), with venues and scheduling - beyond dates between October and November, yet to be finalised.
It comes amid growing momentum, and reports of a all but confirmed, PNG-based NRL side.
IRL said the tournament will include matches in Papua New Guinea, and will showcase the cultures of the Pacific, where the majority of men's and women's teams are set to hail from.
"We have all been impressed by the ARLC's ventures into Las Vegas, led by Peter and Andrew, and have no doubt that they will elevate the Rugby League World Cup to a new level," IRL chair Tony Grant said.
"Rugby League has never been stronger in Australia and the Pacific, with sold-out stadiums, record television ratings and much excitement about Pacific expansion.
"The 2026 World Cup in Australia, with matches to be played in Papua New Guinea, will see the rise of the game in the Pacific reach greater heights and ensure Rugby League is the No.1 sport in the region."
The 2022 World Cup in the UK showed unprecedented Pacifika success, with Samoa progressing to their maiden men's final.
ARL chair Peter V'landys said "the passion for the game is unrivalled and the potential for the game is untapped" in PNG, with the upcoming World Cup "set to deliver the most competitive and culturally diverse" stage since the inaugural tournament held in France 70 years ago.
PNG previously hosted three matches featuring their national side in Port Moresby during the 2017 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The 2026 World Cup will be the last time the men's, women's and wheelchair tournaments will play out simultaneously.
Competing nations in the men's bracket has been cut from 16 from 10 in the next addition.
Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, New Zealand, England, Lebanon, Tonga, Fiji and Papua New Guinea have already qualified through quarter final appearances at the most recent tournament, with two more entrants yet to be determined.
One spot will be awarded to the winner of this year's European qualifying tournament between France, Wales, Serbia and Ukraine.
The other will be decided at the inaugural IRL World Series in 2025 between Cook Islands, Jamaica and South Africa.
Australia, England, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, France and Wales have secured their place in the women's tournament with the seventh spot guaranteed to either Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa or Tonga via Pacific qualifiers later this year.
A final multi-stage road to qualify featuring teams from Africa, Europe and the Americas, with a second team from the Pacific qualifiers, will confirm the final spot.
"The condensed format at RLWC2026 will mean every single match is competitive, while the possibility of some games being played as double or triple headers represents great value for fans wanting to see the best rugby league talent on the planet," Mr Grant said.
"The culture, diversity and competitiveness of the nations involved will capture the attention of global audiences and grow the game ever further."
The world cup was originally planned to be held in the USA and Canada in 2025 before financial concerns saw the idea scrapped, with France being named as replacement hosts until their withdrawal in May 2023.
