Rugby League World Cup to take Magic Weekend-style format in 2030 as hosts confirmed and increase in teams revealed

The 2030 Rugby League World Cup will be hosted across the Pacific and the United States, featuring a Magic Round-style group stage format. International Rugby League Chairman Troy Grant announced that the tournament will feature expanded fields, with the men's competition growing to 12 teams and the women's event expanding to 10 teams. Under the new structure, pool matches in a given week will take place across a single stadium over three days.

Delivered by the NRL and ARLC, the men's tournament will grant automatic berths to the top eight ranked nations, while remaining spots will be decided via a 2029 World Series qualification tournament. In addition, Grant announced that France will embark on a Southern Hemisphere tour in 2027, backed by up to £10 million in reported NRL investment into French rugby league.