The BBC will not broadcast the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, with Premier Sports securing exclusive UK and Ireland rights, moving the tournament behind a paywall. The tournament, originally scheduled for 2025 in France, will now be played in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, with the first match on October 15.
Premier Sports secures exclusive rights
Premier Sports, which previously held the rights in 2013 and 2017, will show every match from the men's tournament live, along with extensive coverage of the IRL Women's and Wheelchair tournaments. Subscriptions start at £12.99 per month in the UK.
Tournament organisers International Rugby League confirmed the agreement on Tuesday. It has been reported that the BBC did not even bid for the rights on this occasion.
Government urges free-to-air solution
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy called on International Rugby League to find a solution to get some form of coverage on free-to-air TV before the start of the tournament. "Rugby league is a source of pride and identity that brings communities together across the country," she said. "As a fan myself, I wholeheartedly share fans' disappointment that the upcoming World Cup will not be on free-to-air television. I urge the International Rugby League to work with UK free-to-air broadcasters, so the millions of fans can follow the tournament."
Premier Sports CEO Richard Sweeney said: "We are delighted to be bringing the Rugby League World Cup back to Premier Sports viewers, having previously broadcast the tournament in 2013 and 2017. This is one of the major events in the international sporting calendar and we are looking forward to showing every match from the men's tournament live, alongside extensive coverage of the IRL Women's and Wheelchair tournaments."
Recent BBC sporting losses
The BBC has lost rights to other major events in recent years, including the Commonwealth Games, which aired on TNT Sports this summer, and the Boat Race, picked up by Channel 4. However, the broadcaster retained rights to the World Cup and Wimbledon, being the sole broadcaster of live Wimbledon coverage in the UK in 2026 and sharing the World Cup with ITV.
