On 19 February 2014, it was announced that the joint bid from Australia and New Zealand had won hosting rights for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup to be held in November 2017.

[2][3] In May 2016, the World Cup organising committee raised concerns over financial support for the festival,[4] but by September the England team still anticipated that the wheelchair event would take place in Sydney, Australia.

[6] In November 2016, the RLIF announced that the wheelchair tournament would be held in France in order to maximise the number of teams taking part.

[7] The cost of travel was an issue for participating nations and in the Welsh Parliament it was noted that Wales were dependent on sponsorship and donations in order to take part.

[22][23] Confronted with limited media coverage of the tournament the French Rugby League Federation created a YouTube channel through which matches were broadcast.