International rugby league in 2026
| International rugby league in 2026 | |
|---|---|
< 2025 2027 > |
A list of men, women and wheelchair senior international rugby league matches played throughout 2026.
A † denotes a match that did not contribute to the IRL World Rankings - i.e. not a senior international match (SIM) as designated by the International Rugby League (IRL).[a]
January
Barrow Raiders v Scotland men
February
USA v Scotland double header
This double-header is part of a triple-header which will also feature a Men's U-19 between the same nations.[2]
Late Spring / Early Summer
Celtic Cup
July
England men v Papua New Guinea
A proposed mid-season game between England and Papua New Guinea[3][4] did not occur following the RFL's U-turn decision to use the spare week in the UK domestic calendar to retain Magic Weekend for 2026.[5] An event previously believed to have been removed following Super League's expansion to 14 teams and the subsequent removal of loop fixtures from the competition.[6]
October
Men's European Championships
- Euro B
- Euro C
- Euro D
Men's World Cup
Group A
Group B and C
Semi Finals
Final
Women's World Cup
Group A
Group B
Semi Finals
Final
Wheelchair World Cup
Group A
Group B
Semi Finals
Final
Notes
- ^ IRL defines a SIM as "any match in which a player represents a national federation, where such match has been sanctioned and recognised by IRL and the relevant national federations as a match played between senior national teams, which are national teams of a member national federation playing in a match for world rankings points."[1]
- ^ Match will be a double-header with the Tonga v Samoa fixture.[8]
- ^ Match will be a double-header with the Lebanon v France fixture.[8]
References
- ^ "Why SIMS - not tests". International Rugby League. 1 January 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
- ^ https://www.intrl.sport/article/502/usa-hawks-to-face-scotland-bravehearts-in-historic-triple-header-in-las-vegas-2026
- ^ https://www.alloutrugbyleague.co.uk/news/england-png-mid-season-test-1502300
- ^ https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/papua-new-guinea-offer-england-mid-season-test-ahead-of-2026-world-cup
- ^ https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/nov/25/undercooked-england-not-play-for-year-rugby-league-world-cup
- ^ https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/magic-weekend-future-update-as-big-decision-on-possible-format-reached-for-2026
- ^ https://europeanrugbyleague.com/articles/2590/erl-chair-hails-relaunched-euro-champs
- ^ a b https://www.nrl.com/news/2025/11/23/2026-rugby-league-world-cup-fixtures-announced/