BY JOHN DAVIDSON
Exclusive: The RFL has refused to explain how much the Rugby League World Cup 2021 (RLWC21) company still owes the International Rugby League (IRL) for its rights fee for hosting the tournament.
The RLWC21 company, which was set by the RFL, was in charge of delivering the last World Cup in the UK and at the end of September published its full accounts on Companies House. The accounts reveal that RLWC21 has yet to pay for the IRL for its rights fee, over two years since the tournament ended.
“There are a number of balances held in debtors remaining which relate to amounts owed by competing nations which are unlikely to be settled in the near future,” the annual report states.
“The underlying loss made in 2022 in the year of the tournament has meant that Rugby League World Cup 2021 Ltd is unable to meet its most significant remaining creditor, International Rugby League (IRL).
“Rugby League World Cup 2021 Ltd has committed to IRL to make payments against the outstanding rights fee as and when Rugby League World Cup 201 Ltd receives the amounts it is owed by the competing nations.”
It is unclear which nations owe RLWC21 money, why they owe and how much they owe. It is also unclear what amount RLWC21 owes the IRL in total.
The RFL declined to comment when approached by rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads.
The IRL also declined to shed light on the situation with Troy Grant, IRL chairman, saying only in a statement: “As you would expect, the IRL works closely with the RFL as one of its key members, across a range of matters, including the historic RLWC21.
“This includes some financial matters, including working together to realise moneys owed to the organisation.
“RLWC21 is wholly owned by the RFL, and so the detailed financial arrangements of that company are primarily a matter for the RFL.”
The World Cup in 2022 involved 16 nations in the men’s competition, eight nations in the women’s competition and eight in the wheelchair competition in venues across England. It was the largest rugby league World Cup ever staged.
The World Cup was backed by £25 million in funding from the Conservative government as part of its ‘Northern Powerhouse’ plan.
At the time Mims Davies, then Minister for Sport and Civil Society, said: “It is an exceptional opportunity to grow the sport. We are investing £25 million to help put on a fantastic event, reach new fans and improve facilities, so the tournament leaves a real legacy.”
The next World Cup will be hosted in 2026 by Australia and Papua New Guinea, after France withdraw from hosting the tournament next year. The 2026 World Cup will see a reduction in men’s teams from 16 to 10.
According to the annual report, RLWC21 had a total turnover of £21.268 million in 2022. This included £4.446 million in government funding, £1.656 million in broadcasting, £3.52 million in sponsorship, £10 million in match income and £1.594 million in hosting fees.
Two years ago RLWC21 received a grant of £9.198 million, while it had a total cost of sales of £23.268 million.
The report states in 2022 its debtors totalled £7.8 million and its creditors totalled £10.39 million, which had reduced to £396,958 and £964,902 respectively in 2023.
