Rugby league fans across the Pacific can enjoy every match of the men’s and women’s 2026 Rugby League World Cup with the ABC’s multi-platform coverage.
From kick off on Thursday 15 October, ABC Radio Australia will broadcast each game live on its FM network in the Pacific and Timor-Leste and on DAB+ digital radio in Australian capital cities.
ABC Australia’s flagship Pacific sports program That Pacific Sports Show will also deliver a special six-part World Cup series from Wednesday 14 October.
Presenters Sam Wykes and Tinirau Arona will break down the biggest matches, rivalries and stories alongside current and former players and coaches, including a special episode filmed at Santos Stadium in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG). The PNG-focused episode will air on 28 October, capturing all the excitement as the country prepares to launch its own NRL team in 2028.
ABC Radio Australia’s sporting programs Nesian Footy and Fresh Off The Field will also deliver a special series of episodes, including one also recorded in PNG, to bring listeners closer to some of the biggest matches and names in the tournament.
Meanwhile, ABC Pacific is the digital home of World Cup content, capturing pre-tournament excitement, exclusive player interviews, fan days, team preparations and the latest game results as the competition plays out.
Host of That Pacific Sports Show, Nesian Footy and Fresh Off The Field, Sam Wykes, said: “We’re only days away from the biggest showcase of international rugby league and I’m thrilled to see the talent and passion of the teams. It feels like the most competitive tournament in recent memory, with the rise of Pacific’s national teams and the changes to eligibility for them across the men’s and women’s comps. The atmosphere in PNG will no doubt be incredible, so I can’t wait to be there and bring audiences along for all the action on and off the field.”
The General Manager of ABC International Claire M. Gorman said, “The ABC is proud to deliver comprehensive, multi-platform coverage of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup on free and accessible platforms for Pacific audiences. We believe in the power of sport to connect geographically diverse audiences and have developed a full suite of content, covering every aspect of the tournament.”
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Marketing and Communications Coordinator, ABC International
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