Last updated: 10 August 2026
The Rugby League World Cup 2026 brings two Saturday double-headers to Perth: England v Tonga and England v Wales on 17 October, then England v France and Australia v England on 24 October, both at HBF Park in East Perth, about a 15-minute walk from the CBD. The tournament runs 15 October to 15 November across Australia and Papua New Guinea, and Perth's fixtures sit a week apart, so travelling fans get a free week in between. The plan is simple: match days at the ground with a bar tour after the final whistle, the free week for the city and Fremantle. Kick-offs are in the afternoon, so sort the evenings first: book the Eat Drink Walk Perth bar tour for the Saturday night after game one.
The two Perth match days
Both Perth fixtures are Saturday double-headers at HBF Park (Perth Rectangular Stadium) in East Perth, capacity about 20,500:
- Saturday 17 October 2026: England v Tonga (men) and England v Wales (women)
- Saturday 24 October 2026: England v France (men) and Australia v England (women)
England plays both Perth dates, so English fans get the full week in town. Kick-offs are in the afternoon; sources differ on the exact hour, so check your ticket. Stadium and event details are on the official HBF Park events page. The ground is about 15 minutes on foot from the city centre. Skip the taxi queue and walk in with the crowd.
Your week at a glance
- Sat 17 Oct, afternoon: double-header one at HBF Park. Afternoon kick-off, check your ticket.
- Sat 17 Oct, 6:30 pm: Eat Drink Walk Perth bar tour from Perth Town Hall. 3 hours, $89.
- Sun 18 to Fri 23 Oct, one morning, 10:00 am: Fremantle: Convicts, Culture & Street Art. 2 hours, $65 adult.
- Free week, one afternoon, 2:00 pm: Perth's Premier Pathways city walk. 2.5 hours, $69 adult, finishes about 4:30 pm.
- Free week, select evenings: Crimes of Perth or Crimes of Fremantle. 1.5 hours, $60.
- Sat 24 Oct, afternoon: double-header two at HBF Park.
- Sat 24 Oct, 6:30 pm: bar tour round two, or a quiet one before the flight home.
Perth's Premier Pathways: see the city between games
Perth's Premier Pathways is our 2.5-hour city walk from Perth Town Hall to Yagan Square, through the arcades, laneways and street art most visitors walk straight past: London Court, the State Buildings, Wolf Lane. Relaxed pace, beverage included. $69 adult, $45 child, departing 2:00 pm and finishing about 4:30 pm.
Ideal timing: any day from Sunday 18 to Friday 23 October. The 2:00 pm start clashes with afternoon kick-offs, so keep it off the two Saturdays.
Eat Drink Walk Perth: the post-match plan
Three of central Perth's small bars, about 40 minutes in each, with two drinks and grazing food included. Extra rounds are at your own cost. The Eat Drink Walk Perth bar tour leaves Perth Town Hall at 6:30 pm and wraps up about 9:30 pm. $89 adult.
Ideal timing: both Saturdays. Kick-offs are in the afternoon, so the evening is free, and a guide who knows the small-bar scene beats guessing at a packed pub near the ground.
Tours fill quickly when a big event is in town, so check live availability for your dates before you build the week around one walk.
Fremantle: Convicts, Culture & Street Art
Give Fremantle a day of the free week. The two-hour Fremantle walk covers the port city's convict history, heritage streets and street art, with a morning beverage included. Recent departures at 10:00 am. $65 adult, $45 child, leaving your afternoon for the markets and a harbour lunch.
Ideal timing: a free-week morning. Leave it off match days; getting back from Fremantle for an afternoon kick-off is cutting it fine.
True crime after dark
Crimes of Perth and Crimes of Fremantle are two-hour true-crime walks, $60, led by specialist guides on selected Saturday afternoons, 4 to 6pm. Dates vary, so check them early if you want one in the plan.
Ideal timing: a free-week evening that shows availability.
Travelling in a group?
Every walk runs privately, up to 100 people by arrangement, and our private-only Scavenger Hunt is $35 per person. Handy for supporter clubs and touring parties. Send dates and numbers via the contact page.
Access and the Companion Card
Two Feet & a Heartbeat is a registered WA Companion Card affiliate. The card covers your companion's place on the tour; food, drink and tastings are not automatically covered, so a companion who joins those pays for them. Companion Card bookings are made by contacting us directly. Details in our Companion Card guide and on the accessibility page.
Lock in the week
Two match Saturdays a week apart will fill October tour dates quickly. Browse all Perth and Fremantle walking tours and book around your tickets.
FAQs
When is the Rugby League World Cup in Perth?
Perth hosts two Saturday double-headers at HBF Park: 17 October 2026 (England v Tonga men, England v Wales women) and 24 October 2026 (England v France men, Australia v England women). The tournament runs 15 October to 15 November 2026 across Australia and Papua New Guinea.
How do I get to HBF Park from the Perth CBD?
Walk. The stadium is in East Perth, about 15 minutes on foot from the city centre, with a capacity of about 20,500.
Can I fit a walking tour around the matches?
Yes. Kick-offs are in the afternoon, so match-day evenings are free and the 6:30 pm bar tour works on both Saturdays. Save the 2:00 pm city walk and the 10:00 am Fremantle walk for the free week of 18 to 23 October.
Can a group of travelling fans book a private tour?
Yes. All walks run privately for groups of up to 100 by arrangement, and the private-only Scavenger Hunt costs $35 per person. Enquire with dates and numbers via the contact page.
