Everything you need to know about the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
After seven weeks of action, two of rugby's fiercest rivals will do battle in Paris in a bid to become the first four-time winners of the Rugby World Cup.
We now know that New Zealand or South Africa will arrive at the next Rugby World Cup as defending champions. But who is the next host, and what is changing?
Where is the 2027 Rugby World Cup?
The 2027 Rugby World Cup will take place in Australia, with the opening game taking place on 1st October and the final taking place on 13th November 2027.
Australia last hosted the Rugby World Cup in 2003, when Jonny Wilkinson's last minute drop goal in extra-time sealed England’s first and only Rugby World Cup title.
It remains the only time a nation from the Southern Hemisphere has won the William Webb Ellis trophy across the tournament’s 36-year history.
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2027 Rugby World Cup Host
Australia will host the 2027 Rugby World Cup after winning the bidding race with United States, who will host the tournament four years later in 2031. Here is a recap of all of the Rugby World Cup host nations and winners year-by-year.
| Year | Hosts | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | New Zealand & Australia | New Zealand |
| 1991 | France, England, Wales, Ireland & Scotland | Australia |
| 1995 | South Africa | South Africa |
| 1999 | Wales, England, France, Scotland & Ireland | Australia |
| 2003 | Australia | England |
| 2007 | France, Wales & Scotland | South Africa |
| 2011 | New Zealand | New Zealand |
| 2015 | England & Wales | New Zealand |
| 2019 | Japan | South Africa |
| 2023 | France | South Africa |
| 2027 | Australia | TBD |
| 2031 | United States | TBD |
2027 Rugby World Cup Draw
World Rugby has confirmed that the draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup will take place in January 2026 after criticism of the early draw for this year's tournament in France, which saw the top four ranked teams end up on the same half of the draw. It means that the draw is 20 months out from the 2027 tournament, rather than 33 months out this time.
2027 Rugby World Cup Format
The 11th Rugby World Cup will see a change to the schedule from 2023. For the first time, 24 teams will compete, with six groups of four teams in a move away from the current format of 20 teams split into four groups of five teams.
A round of 16 will be introduced between the pool stage and quarter-finals featuring the top two teams from each pool, as well as the four best four third-placed teams. The 2027 Rugby World Cup will take place over six weeks rather than seven.
