The International Rugby League has announced major changes to the Rugby League World Cup structure, with the 2030 Men’s and Women’s tournaments set to be staged across the Pacific and the United States.

The announcement signals an exciting new direction for international rugby league, with the tournament expected to adopt a Magic Round format under the joint management of the Australian Rugby League Commission and International Rugby League.

France is also being considered as the preferred host for the 2030 Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup, which is expected to run alongside the men’s and women’s competitions.

Other key changes include an expanded tournament, with the men’s competition increasing to 12 nations and the women’s tournament to 10 nations.

The upcoming 2026 Rugby League World Cup will also feature a revised five-week format, covering five cities, with three pool rounds followed by the finals.

In another significant development, an eligibility update will introduce the Great-Grandparent rule, potentially creating new pathways for players to represent nations through their family heritage.

Meanwhile, Tonga and Samoa are being considered for promotion to Tier One status, recognizing the growing strength and influence of the two Pacific rugby league nations.

The proposed changes could have major implications for Pacific rugby league, providing more opportunities for nations such as Fiji, Samoa and Tonga to compete on the international stage and strengthen their presence in the global game.