Rugby League Launches International Hall of Legends
International Rugby League will name 30 inaugural inductees before the 2026 Rugby League World Cup Final in Brisbane.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Soccer
International Rugby League has established the International Rugby League Hall of Legends, a new honour recognising international-level achievement. The inaugural class of 30 inductees will be announced ahead of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup Final.
Why it matters
The Hall of Legends addresses a gap in the sport's history by creating an established international honour roll for players. New inductees will be added at each Rugby League World Cup, covering the Men's, Women's and Wheelchair games.
The inaugural class comprises 30 inductees, split into 10 pre-1954 players, 24 post-1954 players and six from the international women's game. A final round of voting will determine the names, which have not yet been released.
The players
International Rugby League
The international governing body for rugby league, responsible for establishing the Hall of Legends and overseeing the Rugby League World Cup.
The details
The Hall of Legends was established at an International Rugby League Board meeting in Singapore earlier in 2026. A panel of judges drawn from around the rugby league world built a short-list of past and present players, and inductees are recognised solely for achievements at the international level.
Timeline
Earlier in 2026: IRL Board meeting in Singapore establishes the Hall of Legends.
Week of November 8, 2026: Inaugural inductees are announced.
Before the 2026 Rugby League World Cup Final in Brisbane: Inductee announcement precedes the final.
Season Trajectory
The Hall of Legends will add new inductees at every Rugby League World Cup, tying the honour roll directly to the tournament cycle. The creation of a permanent international honour roll gives the sport a formal record of its international figures.
Fans can use the inaugural inductee list as a reference for the sport's international history ahead of the World Cup. The announcement gives supporters a clear list of players to follow in the lead-up to the final.
The takeaway
The Hall of Legends gives international rugby league a permanent place to honour its players across the men's, women's and wheelchair games. Readers following the sport can watch for the inductee announcement as a key marker before the World Cup Final.
What happens next
International Rugby League will announce the 30 inaugural inductees before the 2026 Rugby League World Cup Final in Brisbane.
Further reading
Explore more Soccer coverage for context on how international sports honour rolls are built.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sporting News.
