Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman says the next major event on New Zealand’s sporting calendar is the Rugby League World Cup 2017.
“Today marks 100 days to go until the kick off the Rugby League World Cup New Zealand’s set to co-host in late October,” says Dr Coleman.
“Preparations are well underway for the tournament which will see seven of the 28 games played in Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, and Christchurch.
“The economic benefits to New Zealand are expected to be considerable with organisers forecasting over 6,000 international visitors, contributing around $4.8 million to our economy.
“To support the tournament organisers and the host cities the Government has committed $1.35 million from the Major Events Development Fund.
“2017 has been a big year of major sporting events, with the successful hosting of the DHL New Zealand Lions Series and the World Masters Games. This tournament provides another opportunity for New Zealand to further demonstrate our ability to host world-class events.”
The 2017 Rugby League World Cup comprises of 14 teams playing 28 games over five weeks in three countries. New Zealand and Australia are co-hosting, with three matches also being played in Papua New Guinea.
The tournament kicks off in Melbourne on 27 October. New Zealand will host its first game the following day at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland, when the Kiwis play Samoa.
Rugby League World Cup 2017 Men’s Tournament DrawDate
Match Type
Match-Up
Venue
27/10/2017
Pool Round 1
Australia vs England
Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
28/10/2017
Pool Round 1
PNG v Wales
National Football Stadium, PNG
28/10/2017
Pool Round 1
New Zealand vs Samoa
Mt Smart, Auckland
28/10/2017
Pool Round 1
Fiji vs USA
Townsville Stadium
29/10/2017
Pool Round 1
Scotland vs Tonga
Barlow Park, Cairns
29/10/2017
Pool Round 1
Ireland vs Italy
Barlow Park, Cairns
29/10/2017
Pool Round 1
France vs Lebanon
Canberra Stadium
3/11/2017
Pool Round 2
Australia vs France
Canberra Stadium
4/11/2017
Pool Round 2
New Zealand vs Scotland
Christchurch Stadium
4/11/2017
Pool Round 2
Samoa vs Tonga
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
4/11/2017
Pool Round 2
England vs Lebanon
Sydney Football Stadium
5/11/2017
Pool Round 2
PNG vs Ireland
National Football Stadium, PNG
5/11/2017
Pool Round 2
Italy vs USA
Townsville Stadium
5/11/2017
Pool Round 2
Fiji vs Wales
Townsville Stadium
10/11/2017
Pool Round 3
Fiji vs Italy
Canberra Stadium
11/11/2017
Pool Round 3
Samoa vs Scotland
Barlow Park, Cairns
11/11/2017
Pool Round 3
New Zealand vs Tonga
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
11/11/2017
Pool Round 3
Australia vs Lebanon
Sydney Football Stadium
12/11/2017
Pool Round 3
PNG vs USA
National Football Stadium, PNG
12/11/2017
Pool Round 3
Ireland vs Wales
Perth Rectangular Stadium
12/11/2017
Pool Round 3
England vs France
Perth Rectangular Stadium
17/11/2017
Quarter-Final
Darwin Stadium
18/11/2017
Quarter-Final
Christchurch Stadium
18/11/2017
Quarter-Final
Wellington Regional Stadium
19/11/2017
Quarter-Final
Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
24/11/2017
Semi-Final
Brisbane Stadium
25/11/2017
Semi-Final
Mt Smart, Auckland
2/12/2017
Final
Brisbane Stadium
Kick-off times to be confirmed in due course.