International Rugby League

https://www.intrl.sport/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/intrl/

International Rugby League is a Privately Owned organization headquartered in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1927, the organization employs approximately 20 individuals. It functions as the global governing body for the contact sport of rugby league football.

2024 Revenue

Founded

1927

Headcount

Headquarters

United Kingdom

Primary Segment

Contact sports

Ownership

Privately Owned

News Summary:

On September 1, 2026, Rugby League India gained approval as the International Rugby League's (IRL) 57th national federation and the third in Asia, following a 20-month application period and a vote by IRL Full Member nations that granted Observer Member status. Previously, on August 24, the chair of International Rugby League addressed criticism regarding the decision to award UK broadcast rights for the 2026 World Cup to Premier Sports, moving the competition behind a paywall. This decision faced opposition from fans, as the BBC had previously aired coverage for free. This followed the August 20 announcement by International Rugby League that Premier Sports secured exclusive broadcast rights for the IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026 in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Premier Sports previously broadcast RLWC2013 and RLWC2017, the latter of which was staged in Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea, similar to the 2026 event.

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International Rugby League offers 2 products in the sports industry. International Rugby League's product portfolio comprises of contact sports.

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International Rugby League's revenues were less than $25M in 2024. All the revenue comes from rugby League.

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Sep

9th

2026

06:30

Events, B2B Tag, Events and Conferences, Management Changes

Is it time to replace the International Rugby League? – Total Rugby League

DAVID WILLIAMS is a keen supporter of international Rugby League but finds himself dismayed by the way in which it is administered. In this article he proposes a new way forward to achieve success.

Total Rugby League

Sep

1st

2026

03:12

B2B Tag

India becomes latest International Rugby League member nation

Rugby League India has been approved as International Rugby League's 57th national federation and the third in Asia. A vote of International Rugby League Full Member nations approved Rugby League India's admission to the IRL as an Observer Member following a 20-month application period.

International Rugby League

Aug

26th

2026

04:00

Sports Rights Updates, B2B Tag, Events and Conferences, Tenders and Contracts

Premier wins IRL World Cup rights

International Rugby League (IRL) has announced that Premier Sports has secured the exclusive broadcast rights for IRL World Cup 2026 in Ireland and the UK. The sports channel previously broadcast RLWC 2013 and RLWC 2017, and as with this year’s tournament it was staged Down Under in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

Marketing Ireland

Aug

24th

2026

01:45

Sports Rights Updates, B2B Tag, Tenders and Contracts

International Rugby League boss hits back at criticism of UK's World Cup broadcast deal as BBC challenged

The chair of International Rugby League has hit back at criticism over the decision to sell UK broadcast rights for this year’s World Cup to Premier Sports, thus putting the competition behind a paywall. Coverage has previously gone to the BBC and been aired for free, however, fans in the UK and Ireland will have to pay to watch this year’s Rugby League World Cup, a decision that hasn’t gone down well.

Serious About Rugby League

Aug

20th

2026

09:05

Events, Sports Rights Updates, B2B Tag, Events and Conferences

Premier Sports Secures Exclusive UK & Ireland Broadcast Rights for Rugby League World Cup 2026

International Rugby League is pleased to announce that Premier Sports has secured the exclusive broadcast rights for IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026 in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Premier Sports has a strong association with the IRL Rugby League World Cup, having previously broadcast RLWC2013 and RLWC2017, the latter of which, like this year’s event, was staged in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

IMG Worldwide

Aug

20th

2026

06:30

B2B Tag

IRL announces key Classification appointments

International Rugby League is pleased to announce the appointments of Dr Spencer Kassimir and Mark Oxley to key Classification roles to support the continued growth of physical disability and wheelchair rugby league. Both appointments bring extensive experience in rugby league, along with a deep understanding of classification, athlete support and the different formats of the game.

International Rugby League

Aug

19th

2026

06:30

Partnerships and Alliances, Sports Rights Updates, Partnerships

Premier Sports scores Rugby League World Cup rights

August 19, 2026 International Rugby League has announced that Premier Sports has secured the exclusive broadcast rights for IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026 in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Premier Sports has a strong association with the IRL Rugby League World Cup, having previously broadcast RLWC2013 and RLWC2017, the latter of which, as with this year’s event, was staged in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

Advanced Television

Aug

18th

2026

14:43

Partnerships and Alliances, Sports Rights Updates, B2B Tag, Partnerships

Rugby League World Cup chiefs implored to secure free to air deal

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has urged International Rugby League to do a deal with the UK’s free to air broadcasters after it was announced that the Rugby League World Cup would be broadcast on Premier Sports.

Love Rugby League

Aug

18th

2026

11:02

Partnerships and Alliances, Sports Rights Updates, B2B Tag, Partnerships

Premier Sports secures exclusive UK & Ireland broadcast rights for Rugby League World Cup 2026

Premier Sports has secured the exclusive broadcast rights for IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026 in the UK and Ireland. Premier Sports has a strong association with the tournament having previously broadcast RLWC2013 and RLWC2017, the latter of which, like this year’s event, was staged in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

SVG Europe

Jul

28th

2026

06:30

Sports Rights Updates, B2B Tag, Partnerships, Geographic Expansion

IRL announces Premier Sports as RLWC26 broadcast partner for SE Asia and Canada

International Rugby League is pleased to announce that Premier Sports has been awarded the broadcast rights for IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026 in Canada and South-East Asia. Kicking off in Sydney on October 15 with a heavyweight clash between Australia and New Zealand, RLWC26 will be the best and most competitive Rugby League World Cup yet and Premier Sports will broadcast matches in 21 countries across the two regions.

International Rugby League

Jul

28th

2026

01:55

Sports Rights Updates, B2B Tag, Partnerships

IRL announces Premier Sport as RLWC26 broadcast partner for SE Asia and Canada

International Rugby League

Jun

24th

2026

15:00

B2B Tag

U19s European Championships: Match officials, technical education plans announced

European Rugby League has announced the match officials squad for next month’s European Under 19s Championship which will take place at the CREPS Font Romeu high performance facility. As with previous events, technical education and development will also be firmly on the agenda, supported by International Rugby League as part of its technical education project, with a “match officials booster” project taking place within the tournament programme.

International Rugby League

International Rugby League sells broadcasting rights of its 2 rugby League competitions to 16 companies globally, covering 7 countries. International Rugby League's rights holders include BBC.