Following the postponement of the 2021 event, Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) organisers have now confirmed the dates for 2022.
Taking place in 2022 from Saturday 15 October to Saturday 19 November, the RLWC in England will feature the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments – the first time all three will be held simultaneously.
A statement said: “The dates see the tournament move one week earlier than scheduled in 2021 to maximise attendance and viewership. Work now continues to release a full revised match schedule by no later than the end of the year.”
As originally planned St James’ Park in Newcastle will host the opening match while the men’s and women’s finals will be held in a double header at Old Trafford in Manchester.
The earlier start date in 2022 means the RLWC will fall between the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2022 Fifa World Cup. This will allow existing broadcast partners to air all 61 games throughout the tournament. It’s also been confirmed that tickets will be automatically transferred to the corresponding RLWC fixture in 2022.
Jon Dutton, Rugby League World Cup chief executive: “I am delighted that we have been able to announce the revised dates and can now look forward to the biggest and best Rugby League World Cup ever in the autumn of 2022. The continuing conversations with all our supportive hosts and venues have been hugely positive. We are confident that we can deliver a similar tournament schedule, which will be communicated as soon as possible. Obviously, we are disappointed the tournament will not be happening as originally planned but we are determined to make next year a celebration of sport, unity, people, place and civic pride.”
Troy Grant, International Rugby League (IRL) chairman: “The Rugby League World Cup is the international pinnacle of our sport, and I am delighted that the new dates have been agreed meaning we can now push forward towards autumn 2022. Jon Dutton and the entire RLWC2021 team have worked tirelessly following the postponement being announced and I have total confidence that the 2022 incarnation of the tournament will be the best we have ever seen both on and off the field of play.”
About the Rugby League World Cup
What: men’s, women’s and wheelchair World Cups held simultaneously
Total number of matches: 61 across the three tournaments
When: Saturday 15 October 2022 to Saturday 19 November 2022
Where: England
Website: https://rugbyworldcuplive.com/