Five tendering nations have been confirmed for the IRL Women’s Rugby League World Cup 2028.

Initially eleven countries, in total, confirmed expressions of interest in hosting the 2028-30 Women’s, Wheelchair and Men’s tournaments.

For the 2028 Women’s World Cup, France, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and South Africa have now moved onto the next stage of bidding.

The interest reflects the growth of a tournament that was first staged in 2000 as the Women’s World Series in England -one of three occasions on which they have hosted, along with 2013 and 2022.

Australia, in 2008 and 2017, and New Zealand, which hosted the inaugural Women’s World Cup at North Harbour in 2003, are the other nations to have staged the tournament.

“The response from the rugby league world to the invitation to tender process has been really encouraging,” said IRL Chair Troy Grant.

“The strategy to reduce the size of World Cup tournaments and to place them in standalone years was based on two main objectives: increasing IRL’s commercial strength and broadening the number of host countries.

“The unprecedented spread of potential hosts from all corners of the rugby league map is a clear sign that the World Cup is a much more accessible event than it has been, and we look forward to receiving some compelling final bids.”

Recently the final bid submission deadline was extended from October 2024 to February 2025 as a result of local events outside of multiple tenderers’ control.

France

France pulled out of hosting the last scheduled combined World Cups in 2025, but president of the Federation Française de Rugby XIII, Dominique Baloup, believes that they now have the necessary resource to make an impact not only in the country but also the continent.

“For rugby league, France Féminines 2028 can be a factor of influence here and in Europe. The French government, in its choice of public policies, strongly supports the development of women's sports.

“The 2028 Women's World Cup will fit perfectly into this scheme. The preparatory work from 2025 onwards will give the French Federation the opportunity to strengthen its links with the domestic territories and their local authorities that are already home to our sport and its developed activities, and to promote forward-looking agreements for new ones, or those that will be rediscovering Rugby League.”

Kenya

Kenya is a relative newcomer to international rugby league but Kenya Rugby League Bid Committee Chair Henry Sisye said the African nation could offer a unique experience for those attending the Women’s Rugby League World Cup.

“Kenya 2028 will change the perception of the world about rugby league and give the game the much-needed appeal as a global sport,” noted Henry Sisye, chair of Kenya Rugby League’s bid committee.

“A lot of effort from us is going into a winning bid. It’s going to be competitive, but we are confident that an ‘African safari’ for a World Cup is the kind of experience that draws fans from all over the world.”

New Zealand

New Zealand hosted the first Women’s World Cup in 2003 and has been a leading nation for women’s rugby league. The Warriors were one of four foundation teams in the NRLW and will rejoin the competition in 2025 after being forced to withdraw due to COVID travel restrictions.

NZRL CEO Greg Peters said: “Enhancing women’s rugby league continues to be a key strategic objective for New Zealand Rugby League, and as a result we’re seeing not only increased female participation within our player base, but with our coaches and volunteers too.

“Having the opportunity to bring a major sporting event in the 2028 Women’s Rugby League World Cup to our shores would allow us to capitalise on this growth and further cement NZRL’s commitment to helping the women’s game thrive.”

Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea hosted matches during the 2017 World Cup and will again be a venue for the next World Cup in 2026. PNGRFL Chairman Sandis Tsaka said his organisation had the resources and experience to host a standalone Women’s World Cup in 2028.  

 

“Papua New Guinea Rugby League is extremely excited to have this opportunity to tender for the first stand-alone Women’s Rugby League World Cup,” PNGRFL Chairman Sandis Tsaka said.

 

“As Papua New Guinea moves further towards having a team in the NRL, having the opportunity to host the first stand-alone Women’s Rugby League World Cup shows the depth of rugby league in PNG.” 

 

PNGRFL Chief Executive Officer Stanley Hondina added: “Women playing rugby league in PNG continues to grow and become stronger year by year and this has led to greater opportunities for women within PNG. Showing the women that they now have pathways is an extremely exciting”.

South Africa

South Africa RL president, Dr Frans Erasmus, said the nation had a proud record and strong reputation for successfully hosting the world’s biggest sporting events.

“We are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to present a robust and compelling bid to the IRL for hosting the 2028 Women’s World Cup,” Dr Erasmus said.

“Recognising the significance of women in sports and witnessing the triumphs of our female national teams on the global stage, fills us with optimism for the future of women’s rugby league in South Africa.

“Driven by our commitment to using sport as a catalyst for positive change, we are confident that we can deliver an unparalleled Women’s World Cup experience for the IRL.”

The tenderers for the IRL Wheelchair World Cup 2029 will be named on Tuesday, July 30 and Wednesday, July 31 for the IRL Men’s World Cup 2030.