Official attendance figures have been confirmed for the opening round of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, with over 95,000 supporters packing out stadiums across Australia and Papua New Guinea.

The tournament opened in spectacular fashion in Sydney on Thursday evening, where a sell-out crowd of 41,255 watched Australia edge out New Zealand 24-22. The milestone figure marked the largest Test match crowd in Sydney in over 50 years, surpassing a record that had stood since the 1974 Ashes series.

Action continued in Parramatta on Friday night, where a double-header header at CommBank Stadium drew 13,174 spectators to watch Australia’s women claim a convincing 40-0 victory over Samoa before Benji Marshall’s men’s Samoan side put on an attacking clinic in a 74-8 defeat of France.

Strong international turnouts in Port Moresby, Perth, and Newcastle cap off opening round

Saturday delivered another wave of impressive turnouts across the southern hemisphere, starting in Port Moresby, where a passionate crowd of 11,624 filled the Santos National Football Stadium. The home fans were treated to double success as PNG Women defeated France 58-4 before the Kumuls earned a hard-fought 42-18 men’s victory over Lebanon.

Over in Western Australia, a strong crowd of 18,302 packed into Perth’s HBF Park for a double-header involving England. While England Women put on a show with a 70-6 rout of Wales, the men’s side suffered a tough 30-12 setback against a star-studded Tonga side in front of a vocal crowd.

The opening round concluded in Newcastle on Sunday, where 10,604 supporters braved the conditions at McDonald Jones Stadium to watch New Zealand Women edge Fiji 18-12 before the Fiji Bati men’s team thrilled the crowd with a 40-12 triumph over the Cook Islands.

With strong numbers recorded across every venue, the international game’s flagship event has officially launched with immense momentum heading into week two.

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