Seven Network, Australia’s most watched broadcast platform, has secured the free-to-air, subscription, online and mobile rights for the tournament, which is due to run from October 27 to December 2.

They have also been delegated as the host broadcaster for international television of all games played in Australia, which is co-hosting the World Cup along with New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

“The Seven Network is widely renowned as a leader in sports broadcasting and the Rugby League World Cup 2017 Organising Committee is excited by the opportunities that this partnership presents to both the tournament and the sport as a whole,” 2017 Rugby League World Cup chief executive Michael Brown said.

Co-hosts and defending champions Australia will meet England in the opening match of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup after the draw was made for the group stage earlier this month.

The Kangaroos, the defending champions, will begin their account on home soil against their big rivals at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, on October 27.

Both sides have been placed in Group A - one of two pools which feature four teams - and will also meet France and Lebanon.

In Group B, New Zealand, will meet Scotland, Samoa and Tonga.

Papua New Guinea, will entertain two European qualifiers in Group C.

Group D will feature Fiji, United States and another qualifier from Europe.

Three teams from Groups A and B will reach the quarter-finals under a format designed to increase the amount of top-level contests in the group phase.

Only the winners of Groups C and D will progress to the last eight.

“We’re delighted to be the home of the Rugby League World Cup,” Tim Worner, managing director and chief executive of Seven West Media, said.

“We are looking forward to working with them.

“Our securing of the Cup is yet another step in our development as we build the platforms to create our future.

“The Rugby League World Cup delivers our business an extraordinary opportunity to drive home our leadership as we broadcast the AFL Grand Final, the Melbourne Cup, the Rugby League World Cup, the Australian Open, the Olympic Winter Games and the Commonwealth Games across late 2017 and early 2018.”