Premier Sports has secured the broadcast rights for the IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026 in Canada, the International Rugby League confirmed, guaranteeing Canadian fans access to a major international tournament set to kick off in Sydney on Oct. 15.
Broad coverage for a rapidly expanding sport
The agreement will see Premier Sports distribute up to 53 World Cup matches across Canada via its dedicated rugby streaming service, which the company launched at the start of 2026. The package includes all 18 men’s fixtures that form part of the tournament schedule, plus a selection of women’s and wheelchair matches from a competition that features 26 teams representing 14 nations.
IRL Secretary‑General Danny Kazandjian framed the deal as recognition of the sport’s development in both territories covered by the broadcaster. He pointed to Canada’s role in recent IRL events and Asia’s growing interest as evidence the tournament will find receptive audiences beyond the game’s traditional heartlands.
“IRL is delighted to be partnering with Premier Sports in two regions which hold a lot of promise for rugby league development,”
Kazandjian highlighted Canada’s expanding rugby league community and the strong viewing figures from last year’s IRL Women’s Rugby League World Series as signals the World Cup will attract attention across the country.
What Canadian viewers will get
Premier Sports will carry matches across Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair tournaments, delivering a broad cross‑section of the competition to Canadian subscribers. The company says the handful of territories covered by this agreement extend well into South‑East Asia, reflecting the IRL’s aim of building profiles in new markets.
- Tournament start: Oct. 15, 2026, in Sydney (Australia v New Zealand highlighted as the opening fixture)
- Teams: 26 teams across three tournaments (Men’s, Women’s, Wheelchair)
- Matches available: Up to 53 matches in Canada on Premier Sports’ service
Ryle Nugent, CEO of Premier Sports Asia and Canada, commented on the partnership in the IRL release, emphasising the company’s commitment to delivering rugby league content in both regions.
Context and consequences for Canadian rugby league
For a sport still building its footprint in Canada, a dedicated streaming partner for a World Cup is significant. Broad exposure during a major international tournament can translate to increased participation, sponsor interest and media attention at home. The IRL noted Canada hosted the inaugural IRL Women’s World Series and pointed to recent regional activity in Asia as part of a broader strategy to expand membership and competition.
From a fan perspective, the deal removes a potential access barrier by centralising coverage on a platform tailored to rugby content. That said, conversion of interest into long‑term growth will depend on grassroots organisations, provincial bodies and national administrators capitalising on the visibility the World Cup can provide.
| Region | Matches available (up to) |
|---|---|
| Canada | 53 |
| South‑East Asia | 53 (same coverage across listed countries) |
The IRL emphasised that Asia has recently demonstrated growing interest in the sport and noted it is working on membership applications from three countries within the Premier Sports broadcast footprint in addition to existing Asian member nations. That expansion narrative is central to the IRL’s pitch: staging high‑profile events and securing media partners are twin levers for accelerating development.
For Canadian viewers who want to follow the tournament, Premier Sports’ dedicated service will be the locus for live matches, with the opening clash between heavyweight neighbours Australia and New Zealand expected to set the tone for what organisers hope will be the sport’s most competitive World Cup yet.
As rugby league looks to broaden its international base, the Canadian broadcast deal represents a tangible step in bringing top‑level competition to new audiences — and a chance for the domestic game to convert televised interest into lasting momentum.
