Hawaii and Utah have emerged as potential host locations for the 2030 Rugby League World Cup, with the sport’s international governing body looking to capitalise on the strong support for rugby league among Tongan, Samoan and other Pacific communities in the United States.
The International Rugby League (IRL) confirmed on Monday that the tournament would be staged across five locations in the Pacific and United States, introducing a new competition format designed to attract larger audiences and expand the sport’s international reach.
Although the host cities have yet to be selected, Hawaii and Utah are being targeted because of their substantial Pacific Islander populations and growing enthusiasm for international rugby league.
The announcement follows extraordinary displays of support for Tonga’s national rugby league team, with Tongan communities overseas organising flag parades, vehicle convoys and public celebrations around international matches.
IRL chairman Troy Grant said prospective host cities would be assessed according to their strategic importance and ability to accommodate several matches at a single venue.
Under the proposed format, each location would stage multiple games over several days, creating a festival-style event similar to the National Rugby League’s Magic Round.
The World Cup would then move between selected cities, concentrating matches, promotional activities and community engagement in each location.
The men’s competition will expand from 10 teams in 2026 to 12 in 2030, while the women’s tournament will increase from eight to 10 participating nations.
Grant said the competition was expected to feature three weeks of matches involving all participating nations before progressing to the semifinals and finals.
The final tournament structure remains under consideration following discussions with member nations during the IRL’s annual general meeting and congress in Sydney.
Pacific communities central to expansion strategy
The decision to include the United States reflects the IRL’s ambition to reach audiences beyond rugby league’s traditional markets, particularly Pacific communities with strong cultural and sporting connections to their homelands.
The growing profile of Pacific rugby league was evident during the recent Tonga–Samoa international, when supporters organised celebrations in communities far beyond the countries represented on the field.
Such enthusiasm highlights the potential for international matches to attract substantial audiences in American cities where rugby league remains relatively unfamiliar.
For Tongan supporters in Hawaii and Utah, hosting World Cup matches would bring international competition closer to home while creating opportunities for Pacific cultural performances, community activities and tourism.
The IRL has yet to announce a timetable for selecting the five host locations.
