The Rugby League World Cup is an international rugby league competition established in 1954. The tournament has taken place fifteen times in irregular intervals, however the tournament is currently happening every four years.
The opening match is the first match of the tournament and usually it has a ceremony to go with it. Often, it features the host nation.
List of opening matches Italics denotes host nation. YearWinning TeamFinal scoreLosing TeamVenueLocationAttendanceReferencesNotes195422–13Parc des Princes13,240Report195723–5Sydney Cricket Ground50,077Report196023–8Odsal Stadium20,577Report13–12Central Park20,278Report196825–10Sydney Cricket Ground62,256Report197047–11Central Park9,805Report197215–10Stade Vélodrome20,748Report197514–7Stadium de Toulouse7,563Report197727–12Carlaw Park18,000Report1985–198818–0Carlaw Park15,327Report1989–199222–14Mount Smart Stadium15,000Report199520–16Wembley Stadium41,271Report200022–2Twickenham Stadium33,758Report200832–22Willows Sports Complex10,780Report201332–16Millennium Stadium45,052Report201718–4Melbourne Rectangular Stadium22,724Report202160–6St James' Park43,199ReportYearTeam AFinal scoreTeam BVenueLocationAttendanceReferencesNotes2026Sydney Football StadiumReport
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