Rugby League World began life in May 1976 as Open Rugby, founded by Harry Edgar, who published and edited the title until July 1998 when it was sold to League Publications Ltd. Graham Clay then took over as editor, and oversaw the change of title to Rugby League World in March 1999.

A short-lived Australian edition was launched and ran for 7 issues, between March and September 2002.

In 2011 an Apple iPad and Android edition of the magazine was launched.

Although the magazine is aimed at the British market, its important coverage of French rugby league give to Rugby League World a paradoxal position: in 2018, it is the sole monthly paper magazine in Northern Hemisphere which covers regularly events and competitions organised on the French territory.

[1] In 2002 Rugby League World Magazine sponsored the Great Britain team against Australia in the first Test Match played in Sydney for a decade, and has also sponsored the England team in the European Nations Cup.