The International Rugby League has selected the Pacific as the host region for the 2030 World Cup, a move that will likely take top-level Test matches to the United States for the first time since 2018. The decision follows a meeting of the IRL board and congress, after England and France had been close to being locked in for hosting rights.
The Pacific nations have ensured the current tournament is a success. Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and Samoa were the last four teams standing in the semi-finals. Several clashes have produced strong attendances and ratings. The NRL has already made inroads into the United States, taking season-opening matches to Las Vegas.
Potential US host cities include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Hawaii. The IRL is expected to formally announce details for the 2030 competition on Monday. The 2030 tournament will be the first major international rugby league event held in the US since England and New Zealand faced off in the 2018 Denver Test.
The NRL's negotiations to take a stake in the English Super League are ongoing. The following World Cup, in 2034, is likely to be hosted by England and France.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The 2030 World Cup will give international rugby league a significant foothold in the US market, building on the NRL's recent Las Vegas events.
- It cements the Pacific Islands as a powerhouse in the sport, rewarding the strong performances and fan engagement seen in the 2026 tournament.
- The decision represents a major strategic pivot from the previously planned European expansion to a Pacific-first approach.
Background
The International Rugby League had been heavily favouring a joint bid from England and France for the 2030 event as part of a push to grow the game in the northern hemisphere. However, the board and congress meeting in November 2026 decided to instead push into the Pacific, capitalising on the current tournament's momentum and the NRL's increasing global footprint. The 2034 tournament is subsequently expected to return to Europe.
What to Watch
- The formal announcement of host cities and venues expected on Monday.
- The reaction from key rugby league markets in Europe and how the NRL's Super League stake discussions evolve.
- Whether the US matches can build a sustainable audience for the sport ahead of potential future expansion.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
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- SupportedThe IRL has pivoted to the Pacific for the 2030 Rugby League World Cup.The Age - Latest News: “The next Rugby League World Cup will be held in the Pacific”
- SupportedThe decision is expected to bring Test matches to the United States.The Age - Latest News: “‘Pacific’ World Cup set to bring Test matches to United States.”
- SupportedThe decision will likely take top-level Test matches to the United States for the first time since 2018.The Age - Latest News: “It will mark the first major international since England and New Zealand squared off in the Denver Test in 2018.”
- SupportedThe decision followed an IRL board meeting and a congress.The Age - Latest News: “However, after a meeting of the IRL board during the week and a congress on Saturday, it was decided to instead push into the Pacific.”
- SupportedEngland and France had been close to being locked in as hosts.The Age - Latest News: “Only a week ago England and France were close to being locked in for hosting rights, in a bid to boost the game in the northern hemisphere.”
- SupportedThe Pacific nations have ensured the current tournament is a success.The Age - Latest News: “The Pacific nations have ensured the current tournament is a success.”
- SupportedAustralia, New Zealand, Tonga and Samoa were the last four teams standing in the semi-finals.The Age - Latest News: “Australia, New Zealand, Tonga and Samoa were the last four teams standing, squaring off in semi-final matches over the weekend.”
- SupportedSeveral clashes have produced strong attendances and ratings.The Age - Latest News: “one of several clashes that has produced strong attendances and ratings.”
- SupportedThe NRL has taken season-opening matches to Las Vegas.The Age - Latest News: “More recently, the NRL has taken season-opening matches to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.”
- SupportedPotential US host cities include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Salt Lake City and Hawaii.The Age - Latest News: “Los Angeles, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Utah and Hawaii are potential co-host cities”
- SupportedThe IRL is expected to formally announce details of the 2030 competition on Monday.The Age - Latest News: “The International Rugby League is expected to formally announce the details for the 2030 competition on Monday.”
- SupportedThe NRL's negotiations to take a stake in the English Super League are ongoing.The Age - Latest News: “The NRL’s negotiations to take a stake in the English Super League are ongoing.”