The men’s Rugby World Cup is held every four years and has increased in popularity with each tournament. The next Rugby World Cup will take place in Australia from October 1 to November 12, 2027. South Africa, the defending champion, secured victory over New Zealand in France in 2023. The 11th edition of the competition in Australia will be hotly contested across seven Australian cities.
The World Rugby Council has made changes to the format, window, and timing of the competition. These changes are the biggest since its introduction in 1987. World Rugby Chairman, Sir Bill Beaumont, believes it’s time to think big and become more inclusive if rugby is to become a truly global sport. The aim is to raise standards, close gaps, and gain new fans.
Hosting the Rugby World Cup
The inaugural Rugby World Cup was co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Sixteen teams competed and New Zealand won. The next event was hosted by the U.K. and France. In 1995, South Africa hosted and won the competition. Wales, Australia, France, New Zealand, and England hosted the next five competitions.
Holding the men’s Rugby World Cup in Japan in 2019 was successful. Twelve venues across the country hosted 48 matches. It showed the potential that lies beyond the top 10 or 12 nations currently involved in rugby.
Rugby may not be as popular in the U.S. as some other sports, but it has an estimated 55 million fans and more than 3,100 registered clubs. The United States will host the 2031 Rugby World Cup. Americans are known for their strong interest in sports and sports betting.
A new format
The 2027 competition will feature 24 teams instead of 20 and they will compete over a period of six weeks rather than seven as they did in the past. The new format will have six pools of four teams and a round of 16 before the quarter-finals. The top two teams from each pool will automatically qualify for the round along with the best four teams in third place.
The minimum number of rest days will be the same as when France hosted the competition in 2023. The reduced window that still makes player welfare a priority is a step forward for the game, fans, and players. The format will provide more certainty and clarity for all stakeholders.
The pool draw will take place as late as possible. This will create more global competitiveness and greater relevance to attract new fans. Fans can watch the Rugby World Cup on live-streaming platforms.
Qualification process
A full review of France 2023 and consultation with unions and regions will determine the full details of the qualification process for 2027. Twelve teams have already qualified after the Rugby World Cup 2023. The four teams in the semi-finals of the Rugby Europe Men’s Championship 2025 will also qualify directly.
The Asia Rugby Men’s Championship 2025 winners will also go through as will the Rugby Africa Men’s Cup 2025 champions. A team from South America and South America/Pacific will also qualify as the best three teams of the Pacific Nations Cup 2025.
Rugby Cup Winners
England is the only nation in the Northern Hemisphere to have won the Rugby World Cup. Other rugby cup winners include South Africa with four wins, New Zealand with three, and Australia with two. Winners of the Rugby World Cup receive the Webb Ellis Cup. William Webb Ellis was born in 1806 and is credited by many as the inventor of the sport of rugby when attending Rugby School.