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The draw for the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup is scheduled for Wednesday, December 3, along with the newly unveiled format featuring 24 teams.
The 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup will mark a historic milestone as the largest tournament in rugby, with 24 teams vying for the coveted Webb Ellis Cup in just two years.
The tournament will commence with Australia hosting the opening match at Perth Stadium on October 1, 2027, heralding a new era for the Men’s Rugby World Cup.
What’s the new format?
As we enter the two-year countdown to the tournament, World Rugby has disclosed the format for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Traditionally, since the Rugby World Cup 2003, there have been 20 teams arranged into four pools of five. The top two teams from each pool progressed to the quarter-finals, initiating the knockout phase.
With 24 teams in 2027, a revised structure is required, introducing a Round of 16 as the initial knockout match.
What features does the new format include?
The tournament will feature six pools, each containing four teams. The top two from each pool will advance to the Round of 16, along with the four best third-place teams, determined by competition points, followed by points difference and try difference as tiebreakers.
Will fans see an increase in matches?
Definitely! The tournament will host 52 matches, up from the 48 in the previous Rugby World Cup. Nevertheless, player welfare is a top priority, ensuring no extra strain on athletes. A minimum of five rest days between matches will be mandated in Australia.
While there are more knockout matches, the decrease in pool stage matches—down from five teams to four—means each team participates in one less match during that stage. For instance, should South Africa reach the final in 2027, they will still play a total of seven matches: three in the pool, followed by the Round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final, and final.
This adjustment allows fans to enjoy four additional matches, and with evenly sized pools, no team will miss any rounds.
Despite the addition of four new teams, the pool stage remains shorter. The 2023 tournament lasted 50 days, while the 2027 edition will occur over 43 days, creating a more compact and thrilling experience without raising player workloads.
How will the Round of 16 operate?
In contrast to previous formats where the quarter-finalists were determined by pool winners and runners-up, the new setup with six pools alters the route teams take to the knockout stage. Refer to the accompanying graphic for a clearer understanding of the path to the final.
When will teams learn their pool stage opponents?
This will be revealed on December 3! The draw will take place in Sydney, broadcast on Channel Nine in Australia, and will also be available globally through various channels and on RugbyPass TV.
Which teams are already qualified?
The 12 teams that finished in the top three of their pools at Rugby World Cup 2023 have automatically qualified for 2027, including:
France, New Zealand, Italy, Ireland, South Africa, Scotland, Wales, Fiji, Australia, England, Argentina, and Japan.
The remaining 12 spots will be filled by teams qualifying through various tournaments, including this year’s Rugby Europe Championship and Rugby Africa Cup. To date, eleven teams have secured their places:
Georgia, Spain, Romania, Portugal, Tonga, Canada, the United States, Uruguay, Chile, Zimbabwe, and Hong Kong China.
A final qualifying tournament in Dubai this November will determine the last team, featuring Namibia, Belgium, Samoa, and the winner of the Brazil-Paraguay playoff in October.
How will the draw be conducted?
After confirming the 24 teams, they will be ranked from 1 to 24 based on their World Rugby rankings at the time of the December 3 draw.
Currently, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand, France, England, and Argentina occupy the top six spots. Australia, Scotland, Fiji, Italy, Georgia, and Wales follow in the next six spots. The first six teams will comprise Band 1, the next six will form Band 2, and so on, ensuring each pool receives one team from each band.
There is one exception: Australia, as the host nation, is guaranteed a place in Pool A and will participate in the opening match on October 1, 2027. They currently belong to Band 2, meaning a Band 1 team will join them in Pool A. If Australia ranks among the top six by December, they will automatically become the top seed in Pool A, paired with a team from Band 2.
Where will the matches be held?
The 2027 Rugby World Cup will feature 52 matches, an increase from 48 in 2023, held across seven iconic Australian cities: Adelaide | Tarntanya, Brisbane | Meeanjin, Melbourne | Narrm, Newcastle | Awabakal-Worimi, Perth | Boorloo, Sydney | Gadigal, and Townsville | Gurambilbarra.
World Rugby Chair, Brett Robinson, expressed his enthusiasm: “With just two years until the largest Men’s Rugby World Cup in history, I’m thrilled to announce the tournament draw date. This event generates excitement for match-ups, ignites rivalries, and enables fans worldwide to imagine the exhilarating rugby ahead.
“Expanding the tournament to 24 teams is a groundbreaking change for our sport, promoting greater participation from nations, more matches, and enhanced engagement for fans globally. The addition of a Round of 16 guarantees that every match counts and every team has an opportunity to make history. Importantly, we’ve achieved this within a streamlined tournament timeline that prioritizes player welfare while amplifying the excitement. This marks a significant advancement for rugby, reflecting the sport’s worldwide expansion.”
