Rugby World Cup Draw Set for December
The draw for the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup is scheduled for Wednesday, December 3, alongside the newly introduced format featuring 24 teams.
The 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup will be the largest rugby tournament in history, with 24 teams vying for the prestigious Webb Ellis Cup in just two years.
The tournament will begin with Australia hosting the opening match at Perth Stadium on October 1, 2027, signaling a fresh era for the Men’s Rugby World Cup.
What’s the format?
As we count down the two years to the tournament, World Rugby has disclosed the format for Rugby World Cup 2027.
Since the Rugby World Cup in 2003, the tournament format has seen 20 teams divided into four pools of five. The top two teams from each pool advanced to the quarter-finals, which initiated the knockout stage.
With the inclusion of 24 teams in 2027, a new configuration has been introduced, initiating a Round of 16 as the first knockout match.
What does the new format entail?
There will be six pools, each consisting of four teams. The top two teams from each pool will progress to the Round of 16, along with the four best third-placed teams based on competition points, followed by points difference and try difference to break ties.
Will this mean more matches for fans?
Definitely! The tournament will host 52 matches, a rise from the 48 seen in the last Rugby World Cup. Nonetheless, player welfare remains a top priority, with a minimum of five rest days mandated between matches in Australia.
While there are additional knockout encounters, the decrease in pool stage games—from five teams to four—means that each team will play one fewer match in that phase. For instance, if South Africa makes it to the final in 2027, they will still play a total of seven matches: three in the pool, plus the Round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final, and final.
This shift provides fans with four more matches, and with pools evenly formed, no team will have to sit out any rounds.
Even with an increased number of teams, the pool stage duration is shorter. The 2023 tournament lasted 50 days, whereas the 2027 edition will unfold over 43 days, delivering a more compact and exhilarating experience without adding pressure on players.
How will the Round of 16 function?
Unlike earlier formats where quarter-finalists emerged from the winners and runners-up of the pools, the new setup featuring six pools alters how teams advance to the knockout stage. Check out the accompanying visual for a clearer depiction of the path to the final.
When will my team find out its pool stage opponents?
This will be determined on December 3! The draw will take place in Sydney and will be broadcast on Channel Nine in Australia, while also being available globally through various networks and RugbyPass TV.
Which teams have already qualified?
The 12 teams that secured a top three finish in 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. Currently, 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 will occur in Dubai this November to decide the last team, which includes Namibia, Belgium, Samoa, and the winner of the Brazil-Paraguay playoff in October.
How will the draw proceed?
Once the 24 teams are confirmed, they will be ranked from 1 to 24 based on their World Rugby standings at the time of the December 3 draw.
Currently, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand, France, England, and Argentina hold the top six rankings. Following them are Australia, Scotland, Fiji, Italy, Georgia, and Wales. The top six teams will fill Band 1, with the next six in Band 2, and so forth, ensuring each pool features one team from each band.
There is one exception: as the host nation, Australia is guaranteed a place in Pool A and will play in the opening match on October 1, 2027. They are currently ranked in Band 2, meaning they will be joined in Pool A by a team from Band 1. If Australia is 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 take place?
The new format for Rugby World Cup 2027 will feature 52 matches, up 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 to go until the largest Men’s Rugby World Cup ever, I’m thrilled to announce the tournament draw date. This event sparks excitement for match-ups, fuels rivalries, and allows fans worldwide to envision the thrilling rugby that lies ahead.
“Expanding the tournament to 24 teams is a historic leap for our sport, encouraging more nations, more matches, and greater engagement for fans globally. The introduction of a Round of 16 guarantees that every match is significant and every team has a chance to make history. Importantly, we’ve managed this within a shorter tournament timeframe that emphasizes player welfare while enhancing the excitement. This represents significant progress for rugby, reflecting the sport’s worldwide expansion.”
