The Rugby League World Cup is one of the biggest sporting events in the rugby league calendar. With the 2021 tournament fast approaching, fans will be eager to get their hands on tickets to see their national teams compete for the coveted Webb Ellis Cup. In this article, we provide all the key information you need to know about purchasing tickets for Rugby League World Cup matches.
When and where is the 2021 Rugby League World Cup?
The 2021 Rugby League World Cup will take place in England between October 23 and November 27, 2022. Matches will be played in 17 host venues across England, including major stadiums in London, Manchester, Newcastle and Leeds.
The opening match will take place at St James’ Park in Newcastle between England and Samoa. The tournament final will be held at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Who is playing in the 2021 Rugby League World Cup?
16 national teams will be participating in the men’s tournament:
- Australia
- England
- Fiji
- France
- Greece
- Ireland
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Lebanon
- New Zealand
- Papua New Guinea
- Samoa
- Scotland
- Tonga
- Wales
- Cook Islands
The women’s tournament will feature 6 teams:
- Australia
- England
- New Zealand
- Papua New Guinea
- Canada
- Brazil
When do tickets go on sale?
Tickets for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup go on general sale on 12th May 2021. Tickets will be available from the official tournament website rlwc2021.com. Priority pre-sales for Hospitality tickets took place in 2019, while there will be an exclusive pre-sale for England Rugby League members ahead of the general ticket sale.
Where can I buy Rugby League World Cup tickets?
Once tickets go on general sale on May 12, there are a few options to purchase them:
- The official Rugby League World Cup 2021 website – rlwc2021.com. This is the best place to guarantee legitimacy.
- Official ticket agency partners – The RFL will partner with major ticket agencies who will also have an allocation they can sell on to the public.
- Host venues – Some tickets may be available directly through the stadiums hosting matches.
- Official travel and hospitality packages – Official travel partners will offer ticket and travel/accommodation packages.
We strongly advise fans to only purchase through official sources to ensure validity and to avoid being scammed by ticket touts. The official RLWC2021 website has a ticketing FAQ page that outlines all trusted sources.
What matches can I buy tickets for?
Tickets will be available for all men’s, women’s and wheelchair Rugby League World Cup matches across the 17 host stadia. This amounts to over 60 matches across 5 weeks of competition.
Men’s Rugby League World Cup tickets
- Opening ceremony and England vs Samoa (Newcastle)
- All England group games (Newcastle, Sheffield, Coventry)
- Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Lebanon, Jamaica group games
- Quarter finals (Wigan, Hull, Bolton, Leeds)
- Semi finals (London, Manchester)
- Final (Manchester)
Women’s Rugby League World Cup tickets
- Opening ceremony and England vs Brazil (Leeds)
- All England and New Zealand group games
- Semi finals (York)
- Final (Manchester)
Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup tickets
- Opening ceremony and England vs Australia (Sheffield)
- All England group games (Sheffield, Warrington)
- Semi finals (London)
- Final (Manchester)
Can I choose specific seats when purchasing tickets?
Yes, when tickets go on sale you will be able to select tickets for specific stands at the stadium, and choose an individual seat. Seating plans will be categorised into pricing bands so you can see exactly which areas are more expensive.
Stadium layouts vary so some will offer more choice than others. Games with high demand may sell out the best seats quickly.
Will there be any tickets left for the later stages of the tournament?
As the tournament progresses towards the knockout stages, demand for tickets will increase, particularly for matches involving tournament favourites like Australia, England and New Zealand.
Quarter final and semi final tickets could sell out very quickly if the home nations qualify. We advise buying early when the initial tickets are released to avoid missing out.
However, there should still be opportunities to pick up tickets for all matches throughout the tournament, even if they are not the best seats. Last minute sales often occur when selling federations return unsold allocations.
What will Rugby League World Cup ticket prices be?
Official ticket prices have not yet been announced for the 2021 tournament. However, based on the pricing structure at the 2017 World Cup, we can expect:
- Group stage matches from £10-£40 depending on seat location
- Quarter finals from £20-£50
- Semi finals from £40-£90
- Final from £90-£150+
Ticket prices will vary between matches, with games involving England, Australia, New Zealand and other tier 1 nations being more expensive. Matches at larger stadiums like Old Trafford will also be more costly.
Children’s tickets are usually around half the adult prices. Concession prices are also offered for students and seniors.
Are hospitality packages available?
Yes, official hospitality packages will provide luxury match experiences for Rugby League World Cup matches. These include:
- Official venue hospitality – Premium seating, drinks and multi-course dining in an executive suite or box at the stadium.
- Fan zones – Designated pre-match entertainment areas with food, drinks and activities.
- Hospitality experiences – Bespoke luxury experiences like coach travel, hotel stays, player meet and greets.
Hospitality packages provide an upgraded experience but at a higher cost. Packages start from around £199 per person but can run into thousands for high-end experiences.
Top tips for buying Rugby League World Cup tickets
If you want to secure tickets for Rugby League World Cup matches, here are our top tips:
- Register your interest early and look out for pre-sales – This gives you an advantage before general release.
- Buy early when tickets are first released – Don’t wait for later rounds as demand will be highest.
- Be flexible on dates and stadiums – Consider all the match options across the 17 host cities.
- Get a group together – Bulk buying for a group can secure better seats.
- Check directly with host venues – Some may release their own allocations later.
- Use official resale sites – If initial sales sell out, accredited resale sites can provide second chances.
- Beware of ticket touts and scams – Stick to official sources and don’t buy from illegitimate sellers.
- Consider hospitality if you want a premium experience – It comes at a higher cost but guarantees tickets.
Conclusion
The Rugby League World Cup promises to be an exciting tournament showcasing the top international teams in the sport. With matches played across England, there are plenty of opportunities for fans to attend live.
Tickets are likely to be in high demand, so early purchase through official channels provides the best opportunity to secure seats. Prices will vary based on venue, teams and stage of the tournament. But with careful planning, budgeting and preparation, seeing the Rugby League World Cup live can become a reality.