Rugby league-World Cup heading to US and Pacific in 'Magic Round' format for 2030

The Rugby League World Cup is set to expand beyond its usual format, with International Rugby League planning “Magic Rounds” across five locations in the Pacific and the United States for the 2030 edition. IRL board chief Troy Grant said each host city would stage matches across a single weekend, activating the stadium while boosting promotion for teams and the sport. The tournament will then move city to city, with three weeks where every nation plays before semi-finals and finals. Grant linked the plan to rising interest from Pacific island communities in the US, where the US accounted for nearly 80% of streaming subscriptions. The men’s event will grow to 12 nations from 10, while the women’s competition will run concurrently with two additional teams.