England v Samoa: Rugby League World Cup

Now scheduled for Saturday 15 October 2022 to Saturday 19 November 2022, RLWC2021 will launch with a spectacular opening match at Newcastle’s St James Park. The full schedule can be viewed here.

In 2022, Newcastle will take centre stage once again - this time as host city for the opening ceremony of the postponed Rugby League World Cup 2021.

The biggest tournament in Rugby League - the Rugby League World Cup - will now take place in England spanning 5 weeks from Saturday 15 October 2022 and Newcastle will be one of the host cities for the major sporting event. Newcastle's iconic city-centre stadium, St James' Park will host the opening men's group game including the men's opening ceremony. The opening game will see England's men's team take on Samoa to kick start the Rugby League World Cup tournament.

World Cup Opener: England v Samoa : Saturday 15 October 2022

The excitement doesn't end there, nearby Kingston Park will host an additional 3 men's group games. Kingston Park is home to Newcastle Thunder and Rugby Union team Newcastle Falcons.

• Saturday 15 October: England v Samoa - St James' Park Newcastle
• Sunday 16 October: Scotland v Italy - Kingston Park, Newcastle
• Saturday 22 October: Fiji v Italy - Kingston Park, Newcastle
• Saturday 29 October: Fiji v Scotland - Kingston Park, Newcastle

For more information, ticket alerts and to be first to receive the latest news and updates then visit the official Rugby League World Cup 2021 website.

Fans of rugby league will also be able to enjoy the wider tournament across the country with not just the men's group but also a nail biting tournament from the Women's group and, for the first time ever, the wheelchair competition will be part of the Rugby League World Cup main event.