2030 Rugby League World Cup Set for USA with Expanded Format

The International Rugby League (IRL) has announced that the 2030 Rugby League World Cup will take place in the United States. This announcement was made by IRL chairman Tony Grant on Monday morning and marks a significant milestone for the sport.

Hosting Details

In an innovative twist, the event will utilize a magic round format spanning five weeks, uniting both men's and women's tournaments in shared locations. While specific cities have yet to be confirmed, each venue will feature games from both tournaments on the same weekend, with an impressive total of 11 games played weekly.

Strategic Planning

Grant expressed the IRL Board's excitement for the upcoming tournament: "The IRL Board has decided that the next Rugby League World Cup for Men and Women in 2030 will be staged in the Pacific-USA." Concurrently, the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup will be held in France.

This strategic move aims to enhance the visibility of the sport among broadcasters, government partners, and fans. Grant highlighted the recent World Cup's record-breaking attendance and viewership, attributing it to the exceptional talent and passion demonstrated by teams and players.

Expanding Participation

In addition to the exciting location announcement, the tournament will see an increase in the number of participating nations, rising from 10 men's teams and eight women's teams in 2026 to 12 men's teams and 10 women's teams in 2030. Feedback on this new format was gathered from nations during the IRL's recent AGM and Congress in Sydney.

For the men's competition, eight teams will secure automatic qualification, while four additional spots will be determined through a World Series format.

Changes in Eligibility

Significant changes will also affect player eligibility. Notably, players can now represent countries if they have great grandparents from those nations. Furthermore, Tonga and Samoa are poised to be recognized as Tier 1 nations, which will substantially influence the international rugby league landscape.

Grant pointed out that the current system of players switching nations frequently can be detrimental and announced an amnesty period allowing players to make informed decisions about their national allegiance. Elevated status for Tonga and Samoa is not yet final, though discussions have begun.

Competitive Selection Process

The United States triumphed over several contenders, including South Africa, Kenya, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea, for hosting rights to the 2030 tournament. Originally, the U.S. was set to stage the World Cup in 2025 but had to withdraw, leading to a subsequent series of hosting changes that ultimately positioned Australia to host the 2026 event.

Looking ahead, the IRL is eyeing Europe for the 2034 tournament, which means standalone events in Africa or New Zealand may not happen until 2038 at the earliest. Australia may be gesturing towards not hosting again until the 2040s.