Australia vs New Zealand: Rugby League World Cup final TV channel and UK kick-off time

Australia face New Zealand in the men’s Rugby League World Cup final on Sunday 15 November, with kick-off at 8.35am GMT at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

Premier Sports holds the UK television rights. Current listings place the final on Premier Sports 1, although viewers should check the broadcaster’s programme guide closer to Sunday for the final channel and coverage start time.

The match completes a double-header: Australia and New Zealand also contest the women’s final at the same venue, with that game starting at 5.10am GMT.

Rugby League World Cup final date, venue and UK time

Detail	Men’s final
Match	Australia vs New Zealand
Date	Sunday 15 November 2026
Venue	Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
UK kick-off	8.35am GMT
Brisbane kick-off	6.35pm AEST
Sydney and Melbourne	7.35pm AEDT
UK broadcaster	Premier Sports
Current channel listing	Premier Sports 1 — subject to confirmation

The tournament organisers confirmed Suncorp Stadium as the finals venue, while the updated competition schedule lists the men’s decider at 8.35am UK time.

Brisbane is one hour behind Sydney and Melbourne in November. The 7.35pm time used in some Australian coverage is AEDT; supporters travelling to the stadium should work from the 6.35pm Brisbane start.

How to watch Australia vs New Zealand in the UK

International Rugby League’s broadcast announcement names Premier Sports as the UK television partner for the tournament.

Where’s the Match currently lists Premier Sports 1 for the men’s and women’s finals. That channel listing remains subject to change; the broadcaster and kick-off time are separate from the start of the television programme.

Streaming is available through Premier Sports’ service with the appropriate access. Viewers watching through a television provider should check that their package includes Premier Sports rather than assuming another sports subscription carries the game.

The BBC’s agreement covers radio coverage and highlights on iPlayer. Those arrangements should not be confused with a live television broadcast of the final.

How Australia and New Zealand reached the final

Australia beat Samoa 44-12 in Sydney on Sunday to secure their place. Reece Walsh scored a hat-trick as the defending champions turned a 26-2 half-time advantage into a convincing semi-final victory.

New Zealand had booked their place a day earlier, beating Tonga 34-10 in Newcastle. Kalyn Ponga returned from a broken arm and contributed three try assists, with Jahrome Hughes also prominent in the win.

The NRL’s semi-final review records Ponga’s 198 running metres on his return. Our New Zealand semi-final round-up covers both the men’s and women’s victories.

When is the women’s Rugby League World Cup final?

The women’s final starts at 5.10am GMT on Sunday 15 November. That is 3.10pm in Brisbane and 4.10pm in Sydney and Melbourne.

Australia progressed by beating Fiji 30-14, with Abbi Church scoring four tries after the Jillaroos had trailed 8-0. New Zealand reached the final with a 32-0 win over Samoa.

Our Australia–Fiji report explains how the defending champions recovered to set up the meeting with the Kiwi Ferns.

What is at stake in the men’s final?

Australia are seeking a fourth consecutive men’s World Cup title. New Zealand are trying to win the trophy for the second time, following their 34-20 victory over Australia in the 2008 final at the same Brisbane venue.

The teams also met in the finals of 2000 and 2013. This time, the Kangaroos arrive after Walsh’s semi-final hat-trick, while Ponga’s return has strengthened the Kiwis for another meeting with their Trans-Tasman rivals.