RLWC26 “Magic Round”: One ticket, three World Cups

England great James Graham has urged fans to take advantage of a unique opportunity to support the nation’s Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair World Cup teams when they play alongside each other in Wollongong on October 30.

England Men take on Papua New Guinea while England Women meet Fetu Samoa in a double-header at WIN Stadium that is likely to determine the finals fate of all four teams.

On the same day, England Wheelchair team will begin their World Cup defence against Wales as part of a double-header with Ireland and USA that kicks off the Wheelchair tournament at the adjoining WIN Entertainment Centre.

It will be the first time that matches in all three World Cup tournaments – Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair – have been staged together at the same venue on the same day.

To celebrate what is being dubbed as the “Magic Round of the World Cup”, ticketholders to the Men’s and Women’s double-header at WIN Stadium will also be able to watch the Wheelchair action at WIN Entertainment Centre on October 30 – subject to available seating.

Graham, who played in three World Cups and is a former England captain, said the ticket offer was a further reason for English fans to get behind all three of their teams competing at Rugby League World Cup 2026.

“Playing in a Rugby League World Cup was for me the absolute pinnacle of the game and it is only getting bigger and better,” Graham said.

“In Wollongong, we have got great games in Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair so it couldn’t be any better for the England fans to come and get behind the three England teams.

“The Men’s and Women’s teams will most likely be playing for a semi-final spot and our Wheelchair team are the World Cup holders so it’s going to be a great day of international rugby league for England fans.”

The former Dragons, Bulldogs and St Helens prop was at WIN Stadium last week for the 100 Days To Go countdown until the World Cup in Wollongong, along with England Women’s hooker Bella Sykes, Fetu Samoa playmaker Taliah Fuimaono and Wheelaroos star Liam Luff.

The entire Wheelchair World Cup will be played in Wollongong, with Australia’s Wheelaroos taking on the New Zealand Wheel Kiwis in their opening match at WEC on Saturday, October 31.

The Wheelaroos play Scotland on November 3 and France on November 6 in a match likely to determine which nation finishes top of Pool B and avoids meeting England in the semi-final if the world champions top Pool A, which includes Ireland, Wales and the USA.

Luff, who represented the Wheelaroos at the last World Cup in England in 2022, said the October 30 “Magic Round” was a great way to introduce new fans to Wheelchair Rugby League and hopefully they would return to support Australia.

“I think it’s perfect for fans to really get the full experience of the Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair World Cups,” Luff said.

“It will be awesome for a lot of people to find out about Wheelchair Rugby League, and how full on and intense it is – just like the running game.”

Australia is ranked No.3 behind England and France but Luff said the Wheelaroos were confident of beating the top two nations for the first time in front of a home crowd.

“I think this is definitely the closest we have been. We had the Ashes Series against England last year and just fell short,” Luff said.

“If we can take care of France in our last pool game on November 6, that would force an England-France match-up in the semi-finals. It would be great to knock one of them out before the big dance at the end.

“I’ve been to WIN Entertainment Centre to watch a few Illawarra Hawks games and it’s a great venue, so I think it is going to be awesome to pack the stands and get a full home crowd feel. That’s something we are looking forward to.”

RLWC26 “Magic Round”

Friday 30 October

WIN Stadium

MEN

England v Papua New Guinea (8.05pm)

WOMEN

England v Fetu Samoa (5.45pm)

WIN Entertainment Centre

WHEELCHAIR

England v Wales (3.30pm)

Ireland v USA (1pm)

Secure your tickets and get behind the Wheelaroos: https://bit.ly/3RQwAIy