The Rugby League World Cup will exclude Canberra due to the ACT government's lack of bid.
The Rugby League World Cup will bypass Canberra - and the Raiders' record-shattering fan base - with the ACT government refusing to be swept up in bidding wars against states boasting bigger budgets.
Rugby league officials are on the verge of revealing venues for the 2026 World Cup, but Canberra Stadium is set to be left off the list for a tournament hosted in Australia and Papua New Guinea.
ACT government officials have claimed there was no bidding process for World Cup fixtures, but rugby league officials are adamant state and territory governments were invited to submit bids to become tournament hosts.