The first members of the International Rugby League Hall of Legends will be inducted during IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026.

IRL Chair Troy Grant announced the establishment of the International Rugby League Hall of Legends after an IRL Board meeting in Singapore.

The announcement coincided with the milestone of six months to go until the opening RLWC2026 match between Australia and New Zealand on October 15 at Allianz Stadium.

A panel will be established to finalise the criteria for induction into the International Rugby League Hall of Legends and consider nominations, which will include players from the Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair games.

A Hall of Legends inductee must be recognised by their peers as a legend who has made a significant contribution to international rugby league and who excelled in the playing of the game while representing their nation.

IRL Chair Troy Grant said: “The International Rugby League Hall of Legends has been a missing piece for the international game.

"A lot of our member countries do well in honouring legends of the game, with Immortals, Hall of Fame and other formats across the nations.

“IRL are the owners of the international game, and it has been a gap in our history that we don’t have an established International Rugby League Hall of Legends.

“People love the heritage of international rugby league, the old Kangaroo tours and iconic moments in international rugby league history, and with the growth of the game now it is our chance to finally acknowledge the legends who helped ensure international rugby league is the pinnacle of our game.

“We will be inducting members to the Hall of Legends at each World Cup, and the inductees will be chosen from players in the Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair games who have made an impact on international rugby league.”