Mixed reactions follow conclusion of Rugby League World Cup

Whether the 2026 Rugby League World Cup was a success remains a subject of debate, depending largely on who is asked and their geographical location. The men's, women's and wheelchair competitions featured notable moments, ranging from Kalyn Ponga returning from a broken arm in 23 days and Jodie Cunningham's mangled ear, to the England wheelchair team's golden ladder and the confusing format of the men's group stages.

Perspectives on the tournament's success differ between the northern and southern hemispheres. For the fourth consecutive time, Australia secured both the men's and women's titles, with New Zealand failing to cause an upset in either final. Tonga and Samoa displayed passion and vibrancy, justifying their elevation to Tier One status, while the large Polynesian population in the USA is expected to help expand the sport ahead of the 2030 co-hosted men's and women's World Cups.

England's victory in the Wheelchair World Cup, secured in a final against France, helped mitigate the disappointment of the early exits for the men's team managed by Brian McDermott and the women's team led by Stuart Barrow. Furthermore, the tournament proved profitable, unlike the 2022 event which faced post-pandemic constraints.

Australia men's captain Isaah Yeo described the event as incredible, stating: "Not just the fans here for New Zealand and Australia, but just everyone. I thought it was all outstanding." He added: "I think it's to date the most competitive and the best World Cup there's been. I think that's only going to continue to grow." This view was supported by Australian broadcaster Channel Seven, which paid a reported A$12m (£6.1m) for exclusive domestic free-to-air rights.

However, not everyone shared this positive outlook. Reducing the men's tournament from 16 teams to 10 resulted in fewer matches, excluding nations like Jamaica and Greece that had debuted in 2022. This change followed Australia taking over as hosts after France withdrew for financial reasons.

There was also a significant disparity between participating nations. While Australian Jillaroos and Kangaroos players are set to receive equal payments of $40,000 (£20,500), Wales will reportedly distribute a total of $15,000 (£7,689) across their women's and wheelchair squads.

Viewer access was also inconsistent. While Australia enjoyed free-to-air live television, fans in the UK could only watch the wheelchair final on BBC iPlayer, with other matches requiring a Premier Sports subscription, which was also the only option for North American viewers. With many fixtures held at times when British and American audiences were likely sleeping, it appears an opportunity to promote the sport globally may have been missed.