The Seven Network and Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) have launched joint commercial partnership packages for the Rugby League World Cup 2026, ahead of the tournament beginning in October.
Seven and SCA hold the exclusive Australian rights to the tournament, which will air live and free across Seven, 7plus Sport and Triple M.
The Rugby League World Cup 2026 runs from 15 October to 15 November and will feature 18 men’s matches, 15 women’s matches and 20 wheelchair fixtures involving 26 international teams.
Coverage will begin with Australia taking on New Zealand in Sydney, while additional matches will be played in Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.
Coverage across television, streaming and audio
Seven said its coverage would include every match across Seven and 7plus Sport, live streaming, replays, highlights, The Agenda Setters Rugby League, and editorial support across Sunrise, 7NEWS, 7NEWS.com.au, and The Nightly.
Triple M will broadcast 11 matches, including key men’s fixtures, the Women’s Final and Men’s Final, with coverage syndicated nationally and streamed via LiSTNR.
Seven’s Head of the Rugby League World Cup 2026, Lesley Tapsall, said: “RLWC2026 promises an unpredictable and engaging sports and entertainment experience, with passion, pride and culture at the forefront.
“This will be a showcase of the very best of international rugby league – men’s, women’s and wheelchair. With stars in every team, fans can expect the fiercest and most competitive RLWC ever staged.
“When major events are staged in Australia, fan interest and anticipation increase. Every game will be live and exclusive on Seven and 7plus Sport, and RLWC2026 will form part of an epic spring of sport running alongside Australia’s premier thoroughbred racing and our record-breaking Supercars Championship coverage,” she said.
Joint sales strategy
SCA’s Head of Sport Content (On-Air and On Demand), Ewan Giles, said: “Bringing together the sporting equity of Seven and the rugby league heritage of the Triple M network, we are unlocking the most comprehensive and connected RLWC coverage ever staged – and the foundation for a massive marketing and media moment.
“From league fanatics to sport lovers, supporters of Aussies competing on the world stage and those cheering on their native countries, we will capture the interest of a diverse, multicultural Australia.
“Seven and SCA will strategically build far-reaching and powerful promotional pathways across broadcast, digital and audio touchpoints, driving mass marketing and promotional value for brands,” he said.
Southern Cross Media Group Chief Commercial Officer Seb Rennie said: “There’s nothing quite like a World Cup on home soil to capture the nation’s attention. A month-long, live, free-to-air event with national scale and the kind of emotional engagement that only live sport delivers.
“For advertisers, the combination of Seven’s broadcast reach and Triple M’s audio heritage creates a connected ecosystem that’s hard to replicate. Brands that move early will have the chance to own a cultural moment that spans screens, speakers and social feeds right across the country,” he said.
Seb Rennie
Seven’s Head of Rugby League World Cup sales, Peta McMurray, said: “Australians are passionate about sport. They watch and listen to it. They are totally engaged with it. They talk about it. Sport cuts through – and there is nothing more powerful than live sport.
“Seven and SCA have a strong network of assets connected to consumer habits and consumption, from early anticipation and pre-game hype, through to the live games and post-game analysis. The diversity of touchpoints will enable brands to play a role and own the moment at every stage of the fan journey.
“Screens and audio will complement each other to reach unique audiences, maximising ROI and efficiency via joint planning across complementary inventory, with a consistent brand story following audiences wherever they are,” she said.
“For partners, the Rugby League World Cup 2026 is an opportunity for true brand category ownership against the content everywhere, the chance to be single-minded with brand ideas leveraging event context, right across the RLWC ecosystem.”