How to Watch Rugby Live: Rugby League World Cup, NRL, Six Nations

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Rugby is having a massive 2026, headlined by the Rugby League World Cup taking place across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea later this year. Here's how to watch every game, wherever you are in the world.

🏉 Major Rugby Events — Rest of 2026

Rugby League World Cup (Men's, Women's & Wheelchair)
Australia, New Zealand & Papua New Guinea | Late 2026
The biggest event in rugby league — all three World Cups running simultaneously for the first team.
rlwc2026.com

NRL Season & Finals Series
Australia | March – October 2026
Australia's premier rugby league competition, one of the most watched sports in the country.
nrl.com

Super Rugby Pacific
Australia & New Zealand | February – June 2026
The top rugby union club competition in the southern hemisphere.
super.rugby

The Rugby Championship
Southern Hemisphere | August–October 2026
Annual international rugby union competition between New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and Argentina.
world.rugby

Autumn Nations Series
Europe | November 2026
Northern hemisphere nations host southern hemisphere powerhouses in one of the most exciting windows of the rugby union calendar.
sixnationsrugby.com

📺 Where to Watch — By Region

🇺🇸 United States

1. Peacock (Rugby League World Cup)
NBC's streaming platform is the primary home of rugby in the US, carrying the Rugby League World Cup and select international matches. Free trial available.
peacocktv.com

2. NBC Sports / USA Network
Carries international rugby union matches in the US, including Autumn Nations Series and major Tests. Available on most live TV streaming packages.
nbcsports.com

3. YouTube TV (Free Trial)
Includes NBC and USA Network, giving US fans access to international rugby coverage. 5-day free trial.
tv.youtube.com

🇬🇧 United Kingdom & Ireland

4. Sky Sports Rugby League (Rugby League World Cup)
Sky Sports is the home of rugby league in the UK, carrying the Rugby League World Cup live.
skysports.com/rugby-league

5. BBC Sport (Free — select Rugby League World Cup)
The BBC traditionally carries free-to-air coverage of key Rugby League World Cup matches in the UK, including England games and the final.
bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league

6. TNT Sports/HBO Max (Rugby Union)
Carries Autumn Nations Series, Super Rugby and Premiership Rugby live in the UK.
tntsports.co.uk

🇦🇺 Australia

7. Nine Network / 9Now (NRL — Free)
Nine Network airs NRL games free on TV and streams them free on 9Now. No subscription required — just create a free account.
9now.com.au

8. Fox Sports/Kayo Sports (NRL & Rugby League World Cup)
Full NRL season and Rugby League World Cup coverage on Fox Sports. Kayo streams everything with a 7-day free trial.
kayosports.com.au

9. Stan Sport (Rugby Union)
The home of Super Rugby Pacific and The Rugby Championship in Australia. Available via Stan subscription.
stan.com.au/sport

🌍 Global

10. RugbyPass (Global)
A global rugby streaming and content platform with live matches, replays, highlights and exclusive documentaries. Available worldwide, with both free and premium tiers.
rugbypass.tv

11. World Rugby (YouTube — Free)
The official World Rugby YouTube channel posts free match highlights, try compilations and key moments from international fixtures.
youtube.com/@WorldRugby

12. TVNZ+ (New Zealand — Free)
Free streaming of All Blacks Tests and The Rugby Championship for New Zealand viewers.
tvnz.co.nz

💡 Pro Tips

Rugby League World Cup is the unmissable event of the year for rugby fans — three tournaments (men's, women's, wheelchair) happening at once in Australia and New Zealand.
Free NRL in Australia: Nine Network airs NRL games completely free — no subscription needed.
BBC in the UK traditionally airs key Rugby League World Cup matches for free, including England games and the final.
RugbyPass is the best global option for fans outside the main markets — available in most countries with both free and premium tiers.
VPN trick: A VPN like NordVPN lets you access your home country's stream from anywhere in the world.

Written by Daniel

Updated on June 24, 2026