Where to Watch the Rugby League World Cup 2026 in Ubud, Bali
Updated: 6 hours ago
The Rugby League World Cup is back, and rugby league fans visiting Bali won't want to miss the action.
From October 15 to November 15, 2026, Australia, New Zealand, England, Tonga, Samoa, Papua New Guinea and other rugby league nations will compete across a month of international matches.
If you're spending the tournament in Ubud, The Melting Pot Saloon is a place to catch live rugby league, enjoy a cold beer and follow your favourite national team while you're away from home.
We regularly show rugby league at The Melting Pot, including all NRL matches during the season. For the Rugby League World Cup, fans can contact us to ask about specific fixtures and which matches are scheduled to be shown.
This guide covers the 2026 tournament, key matches, kick-off times in Bali and what you need to know about watching the Rugby League World Cup in Ubud.
Rugby League World Cup 2026: Dates, Teams and Tournament Format
The 2026 Rugby League World Cup takes place across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, bringing together three international competitions:
Men's Rugby League World Cup: 10 teams
Women's Rugby League World Cup: 8 teams
Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup: 8 teams
Altogether, the tournament features 26 teams representing 14 nations, with 53 matches scheduled across the three competitions. The men's tournament includes Australia, New Zealand, England, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Lebanon, France and the Cook Islands.
Australia enters as the defending men's champion, but the competition includes several nations capable of making life difficult for the traditional favourites. New Zealand remains a major rival, while Tonga, Samoa and Papua New Guinea bring enormous passion to international rugby league.
For fans who normally follow the NRL, the World Cup offers something different. Players who spend the regular season competing against one another can find themselves wearing the same national jersey, while club teammates may become international opponents.
The tournament begins on Thursday, October 15, with Australia facing New Zealand, and concludes on Sunday, November 15, with the men's and women's finals at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
Rugby League World Cup 2026: Key Matches and Dates
With so many fixtures across the tournament, there are several matches worth marking on your calendar.
Date | Match or event | Location |
October 15 | Australia vs New Zealand — Men's opening match | Sydney |
October 16 | Australia vs Samoa — Women's opening match | Sydney |
October 17 | England vs Tonga — Men | Perth |
November 1 | Tonga vs Samoa — Men | Sydney |
November 7–8 | Men's semi-finals | Australia |
November 13 | Wheelchair World Cup Final | Wollongong |
November 15 | Men's and Women's World Cup Finals | Brisbane |
Australia vs New Zealand is a huge opening fixture, bringing together two of international rugby league's biggest rivals.
England vs Tonga is another match worth watching, especially for fans interested in how the northern and southern hemisphere teams compare.
Tonga vs Samoa promises one of the most passionate encounters of the group stage. Their rivalry has become one of international rugby league's most exciting matchups, with enormous support from Pacific rugby league communities.
The knockout matches and finals will then decide which nations have the opportunity to lift the World Cup. For the complete schedule, including the men’s, women’s and wheelchair competitions, visit the official Rugby League World Cup 2026 fixtures page.
What Time Is the Rugby League World Cup 2026 in Bali?
If you're watching the Rugby League World Cup from Bali, you'll need to account for the time difference between Indonesia and the tournament's host cities. Bali follows Central Indonesia Time (WITA, UTC+8) throughout the year.
During October and November:
Perth: Same time as Bali
Brisbane: 2 hours ahead of Bali
Sydney: 3 hours ahead of Bali
Christchurch: 5 hours ahead of Bali
Port Moresby: 2 hours ahead of Bali
That means an evening match in Sydney can be an afternoon fixture in Ubud, while a match in Perth will start at the same local time in both places.
Selected Rugby League World Cup Kick-Off Times in Bali
Match | Date in Bali | Bali kick-off |
Australia vs New Zealand — Men | Thursday, October 15 | 5:05 PM |
Samoa vs France — Men | Friday, October 16 | 2:45 PM |
England vs Tonga — Men | Saturday, October 17 | 5:05 PM |
These are scheduled match start times converted to Bali time. Check the official tournament draw for any fixture changes.
The Melting Pot’s regular opening hours are 10:30 AM until 2:00 AM, except Nyepi Day, making many afternoon and evening fixtures convenient for visitors to Ubud. Contact us with the match you’d like to watch, and we’ll confirm the screening arrangements.
Where to Watch the Rugby League World Cup 2026 in Ubud
If you're looking for somewhere to watch rugby league in Ubud, head to The Melting Pot Saloon, a Texas-style sports bar on Jalan Raya Pengosekan.
Live sport is a major part of the venue, with multiple screens, an 80-inch television and a projector setup for watching games. Throughout the year, we show a wide range of sports, including AFL, NRL, football, UFC and major international competitions.
Rugby league is especially important to our Australian visitors. Whether you're a regular NRL supporter, a State of Origin fan or someone who follows the international game, The Melting Pot is a familiar place to enjoy the action in Ubud.
Want to Watch a Particular Rugby League World Cup Match?
Following Australia, New Zealand, England or one of the Pacific nations? Let us know which fixture you’d like to watch. The tournament includes men’s, women’s and wheelchair competitions, so please include the teams, competition and match date when you contact The Melting Pot. We’ll check the broadcast and screening arrangements, including any other sporting events taking place at the same time.
If you want to watch a particular nation or match, send us a message and we'll let you know whether we can show it. This is especially helpful during busy sports periods when several major events may be taking place at the same time.
Why Watch the Rugby League World Cup at The Melting Pot?
Watching international rugby league is always better when you can share the experience with other supporters.
Whether you're cheering for the Kangaroos, Kiwis, Tonga, Samoa, England or Papua New Guinea, watching with fellow fans brings a different atmosphere to the tournament. At The Melting Pot Saloon, you can enjoy more than just the match.
Big Screens and a Sports Bar Atmosphere
With multiple screens around the venue, The Melting Pot is set up for live sports viewing.
You can follow the match while enjoying the atmosphere of a busy Ubud sports bar, especially when major games bring supporters together.
Cold Beer and Texas-Style Food
The Melting Pot offers 33 beers in total, including 23 on tap and 19 craft beers on tap.
Whether you prefer a familiar lager or want to try something brewed in Bali, there's plenty to choose from. Pair your beer with food from the kitchen and settle in for the game.
Games and Activities Before or After Kick-Off
If you arrive early or want to stay after the final whistle, The Melting Pot also offers a range of games and activities. You can challenge your friends to pool, try axe throwing, play shuffleboard or enjoy darts, ping pong, foosball and arcade games. With 10 full-sized pool tables, there's plenty to do beyond watching sport.
Explore our Games & Activities page to see the available activities and current prices.
Rugby League World Cup vs NRL: What's the Difference?
If you're visiting from Australia, you're probably already familiar with the NRL, but the Rugby League World Cup is a different competition.
The NRL is a club competition, with teams such as the Brisbane Broncos, Melbourne Storm, Penrith Panthers and Sydney Roosters competing throughout the season.
The Rugby League World Cup is an international tournament in which players represent their countries. That means fans get to see familiar NRL stars playing alongside different teammates and facing opponents they might normally play with at club level.
The World Cup also gives nations such as Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and Papua New Guinea the opportunity to showcase the strength of rugby league beyond the Australian domestic competition.
If you're looking for regular club matches rather than international fixtures, read our Watch NRL in Bali guide. The Melting Pot shows all NRL games during the season.
How to Plan Your Rugby League World Cup Match Day in Ubud
If there's a particular World Cup match you don't want to miss, a little planning will make things easier.
Check the fixture time in Bali. Australia has several time zones, so don't assume a match advertised for 8:00 PM in Sydney will start at 8:00 PM in Ubud.
Contact The Melting Pot before the game. Let us know which match you're interested in, especially if it's a less prominent fixture or part of the women's or wheelchair competitions.
Allow time to get comfortable. Arriving before kick-off gives you time to find a seat, order food or drinks and enjoy the atmosphere.
Explore the venue. If there's time before the match, you can enjoy pool, shuffleboard, darts or one of our other games.
The World Cup runs for a full month, so there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy international rugby league while you're in Bali.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Rugby League World Cup 2026?
The tournament runs from October 15 to November 15, 2026, with matches across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
Where can I watch the Rugby League World Cup in Ubud?
The Melting Pot Saloon is a sports bar in Ubud where visitors can request specific Rugby League World Cup fixtures. Contact the venue to confirm which matches will be shown.
Does The Melting Pot show every Rugby League World Cup match?
Not every World Cup fixture is automatically confirmed. If you have a particular match in mind, contact us in advance so we can check the screening arrangements.
What time do Rugby League World Cup matches start in Bali?
Kick-off times depend on the host city. Bali shares the same time zone as Perth, is two hours behind Brisbane and three hours behind Sydney during the tournament.
Does The Melting Pot show regular NRL games?
Yes. The Melting Pot shows all NRL games, including the regular season and finals.
Can I watch rugby league and play games at the same venue?
Yes. Alongside live sports, The Melting Pot offers pool, axe throwing, shuffleboard, darts, ping pong and other games and activities.
Watch the Rugby League World Cup 2026 at The Melting Pot Saloon
The Rugby League World Cup brings together some of the sport's biggest international rivalries, from Australia against New Zealand to the passionate clashes between Pacific nations.
If you're in Bali during the tournament and looking for somewhere to follow the action, The Melting Pot Saloon offers a sports-focused venue in the heart of Ubud. Whether you're travelling with friends, supporting your home nation or simply looking for a place to enjoy a big rugby league match, we'd love to hear which fixtures you're interested in.
Contact us before kick-off to check whether your match will be shown.
The Melting Pot Saloon
Address: Jl. Raya Pengosekan (Hanoman) No. 22X, Ubud, Bali
Opening hours: Daily, 10:30 AM – 2:00 AM (closed on Nyepi Day)
WhatsApp: +62 812 4641 0890
Email: meltingpotubud@gmail.com
Follow the Rugby League World Cup, enjoy the atmosphere and make the most of your time in Ubud.
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