Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

An action-packed British summer of sport is upon us after the return of Wimbledon, the delayed Euros - and the Rugby League World Cup 2021.

Numerous sporting events have been postponed due to the Covid pandemic but organisers of the RLWC2021 have confirmed the tournament will go ahead as planned.

A festival of rugby awaits with the men’s, women’s and wheelchair competitions all taking place simultaneously across 18 towns and cities in England from October 2021.

The Australian Kangaroos celebrate victory as captain Cameron Smith holds up the world cup trophy after the 2017 Rugby League World Cup Final between the Australian Kangaroos and England at Suncorp Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

And now tickets for Rugby League’s international spectacle are beginning to become available once more.

Olympics schedule: Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games key dates, sport-by-sport diary – an...

When are Rugby League World Cup tickets available?

Tickets for the 2021 tournament are now on general sale.

Rugby League fans and people who have signed up as RLWC2021 members had previously been given priority access to tickets in April.

But now organisers have put tickets on general sale from 10am on 15 July 2021 on a first-come, first-served basis.

Fans hoping to witness some of the live action can also register their interest for group tickets and a variety of hospitality packages, including international fan travel deals.

How can I buy RLWC2021 tickets?

Tickets are available for purchase through the official Rugby League World Cup website, which provides a refund guarantee if any match is cancelled for any reason.

The official ticketing channel is also offering an extra layer of protection for anyone who has bought a ticket but later can’t attend the match due to a positive coronavirus test.

How much do Rugby World Cup 2021 tickets cost?

Organisers want the 2021 Rugby League World Cup to be “inclusive, accessible and affordable” for the masses, demonstrated by bringing three tournaments together for the first time.

Ticket prices start at £2.21 for concessions and £10 for adults. More than 80 per cent of tickets are priced below £50 and a family of four can attend a match during half-term for just £35.

For the full pricing structure click here.

When does the 2021 Rugby League World Cup start?

RLWC2021 CEO Jon Dutton was happy to provide “clarity and certainty to fans, players, partners, media and those that have supported our journey” over the go ahead of the tournament.

He said: “We have an overwhelming desire to deliver the biggest and best ever Rugby League World Cup and through our determination and decisiveness we will be able to achieve this vision. We recognise there are still many challenges ahead, but we will work relentlessly and will take the most extraordinary measures with the support of all involved to stage the tournament in 100 days time.

“Despite the adversity we have faced, we have never lost sight of our core purpose of making a positive impact on people’s lives. Our social impact programme has and will continue to be a beacon of much needed positivity and hope in communities across England. We have no doubt that the Rugby League family, along with the 20,021 key workers we have invited, the many fans who will see the action live in the stadiums across England and the millions watching around the world will be part of a unifying celebration of sport and humanity.”

The first match of the tournament is scheduled to take place on 23 October 2021 at St James’ Park, Newcastle, between host nation England and Samoa men’s sides.

As well as Newcastle, games will take place in Hull, Bolton, Coventry, Doncaster, Kirklees, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Preston, Sheffield, St Helens, Tees Valley, Trafford, Warrington, Wigan and Leigh and York.

Men’s 2021 World Cup groups and fixtures

Group A - England, Samoa, France, Greece

Group B - Australia, Fiji, Scotland, Italy

Group C - New Zealand, Lebanon, Jamaica, Ireland

Group D - Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Wales, Cook Islands

Saturday 23 October - England v Samoa, St James’ Park (Newcastle), 2.30pm; Australia v Fiji, KCOM Stadium (Hull), 7.30pm

Sunday 24 October - Scotland v Italy, Kingston Park (Newcastle), 2.30pm; Jamaica v Ireland, Headingley (Leeds), 5pm; New Zealand v Lebanon, Halliwell Jones Stadium (Warrington), 7.30pm

Monday 25 October - France v Greece, Keepmoat Stadium (Doncaster), 2.30pm

Tuesday 26 October - Tonga v Papua New Guinea, Totally Wicked Stadium (St Helens), 7.30pm

Wednesday 27 October - Wales v Cook Islands, Leigh Sports Village (Leigh), 7.30pm

Friday 29 October - Australia v Scotland, Ricoh Arena (Coventry), 7.30pm

Saturday 30 October - Fiji v Italy, Kingston Park (Newcastle), 2.30pm; England v France, University of Bolton Stadium (Bolton), 5pm; New Zealand v Jamaica, Headingley (Leeds), 7.30pm

Sunday 31 October - Lebanon v Ireland, Leigh Sports Village (Leigh), 2.30pm; Samoa v Greece, Group A, Keepmoat Stadium (Doncaster), 5pm

Monday 1 November - Tonga v Wales, Totally Wicked Stadium (St Helens), 7.30pm

Tuesday 2 November - Papua New Guinea v Cook Islands, Halliwell Jones Stadium (Warrington), 7.30pm

Friday 5 November - New Zealand v Ireland, Headingley (Leeds), 7.30pm

Saturday 6 November - England v Greece, Bramall Lane (Sheffield), 2.30pm; Fiji v Scotland, Kingston Park (Newcastle), 5pm; Australia v Italy, Totally Wicked Stadium (St Helens), 7.30pm

Sunday 7 November - Lebanon v Jamaica, Leigh Sports Village (Leigh), 12pm; Tonga v Cook Islands, Riverside Stadium (Middlesbrough), 2.30pm; Samoa v France, Group A, Halliwell Jones Stadium (Warrington), 5pm

Monday 8 November - Papua New Guinea v Wales, Keepmoat Stadium (Doncaster), 7.30pm

Friday 12 November - Quarter Final 1 – Winner B v Runner-up C, John Smith’s Stadium (Huddersfield), 7.30pm

Saturday 13 November - Quarter Final 2 – Winner/Runner-up A v Winner/Runner-up D, Anfield (Liverpool), 2.30pm; Quarter Final 3 – Winner C v Runner-up B, KCOM Stadium (Hull), 7.30pm

Sunday 14 November - Quarter Final 4 – Winner/Runner-up A v Winner/Runner-up D, University of Bolton Stadium (Bolton), 2.30pm

Friday 19 November - Semi Final 1 – Winner QF 1 v Winner QF 3, Elland Road (Leeds), 7.45pm

Saturday 20 November - Semi Final 2 – Winner QF 2 v Winner QF 4, Emirates Stadium (London), 2.30pm

Saturday 27 November - World Cup 2021 Final, Old Trafford (Manchester), 5pm

Women’s 2021 World Cup groups and fixtures

Group A - England, Papua New Guinea, Canada, Brazil

Group B - Australia, New Zealand, France, Cook Islands

Tuesday 9 November - England v Brazil, Headingley (Leeds), 2.30pm; Papua New Guinea v Canada, Headingley (Leeds), 5pm

Wednesday 10 November - New Zealand v France, LNER Community Stadium (York), 5pm; Australia v Cook Islands, Group B, LNER Community Stadium (York), 7.30pm

Saturday 13 November - England v Canada, Anfield (Liverpool), 12pm; Papua New Guinea v Brazil, KCOM Stadium (Hull), 5pm

Sunday 14 November - New Zealand v Cook Islands, LNER Community Stadium (York), 5pm; Australia v France, LNER Community Stadium (York), 7.30pm

Wednesday 17 November - Canada v Brazil, Group A, Headingley (Leeds), 5pm; England v Papua New Guinea, Headingley (Leeds), 7.30pm

Thursday 18 November - France v Cook Islands, LNER Community Stadium (York), 5pm; Australia v New Zealand, Group B, LNER Community Stadium (York), 7.30pm

Monday 22 November - Semi-Final 1 – Winner B v Runner-up A, LNER Community Stadium (York), 5pm; Semi-Final 2 – Winner A v Runner-up B, LNER Community Stadium (York), 7.30pm

Saturday 27 November - World Cup Final – Old Trafford (Manchester), 2.15pm

Wheelchair 2021 World Cup groups and fixtures

Group A - England, Australia, Spain, Norway

Group B - France, Wales, Scotland, USA

Thursday 11 November - Spain v Norway, Copper Box Arena (London), 5pm; England v Australia, Copper Box Arena (London), 7.30pm

Friday 12 November - France v Wales, EIS (Sheffield), 11am; Scotland v USA, EIS (Sheffield), 1.30pm

Sunday 14 November - England v Spain, Copper Box Arena (London), 12pm; Australia v Norway, Copper Box Arena (London), 2.30pm

Monday 15 November - France v Scotland, EIS (Sheffield), 5pm; Wales v USA, EIS (Sheffield), 7.30pm

Wednesday 17 November - Australia v Spain, Copper Box Arena (London), 11am; England v Norway, Copper Box Arena (London), 1.30pm

Thursday 18 November - France v USA, EIS (Sheffield), 11am; Wales v Scotland, EIS (Sheffield), 1.30pm

Sunday 21 November - Semi Final 1 – Winner B v Runner-up A, EIS (Sheffield), 12pm; Semi Final 2 – Winner A v Runner up B, EIS (Sheffield), 2.30pm

Friday 26 November - World Cup Final – M&S Bank Arena (Liverpool), 7.30pm

Rugby League World Cup 2021: when are tickets on general sale, how to get them – and how much do they cost?

Comment Guidelines