Rugby League football is a full contact sport played by two teams of 13 players on a rectangular grass field. One of two codes of rugby football, Rugby League evolved as a result of split from the Rugby Football Union in England in 1895 over the issue of payments to players. Its rules were then gradually changed in order to produce a more entertaining game that would appeal to spectator.

Cited as the toughest, most physically demanding of team sports, the objective in Rugby League is to carry or kick the ball towards the opposing team's goal line where points are scored by grounding the ball; this is called a try. After scoring a try, the team can add at conversion, worth two points, if they successfully kick the ball between the uprights and over the crossbar . The opposing team will attempt to prevent the attacking side from progressing up the field by tackling the player carrying the ball.

The game holds a significant place in the culture and heritage of the areas where it is played. The European Super League and the Australian National Rugby League are the premier club competitions. Rugby League is played internationally, predominantly by European, Australasian and Pacific countries, and is governed by the Rugby League International Federation. The current World Cup holders are New Zealand.