Host city 01
Adelaide | Tarntanya
Adelaide Oval
One of Australia’s most recognisable sporting settings and host of six pool-stage matches.
←Rugby One
Build-up TOP FOUR QUALIFY
SpainPool C00——Out4
UruguayPool D00——Out5
USAPool E00——Out6
TongaPool F00——Out Explore every host city →
27
Australia 2027
Build-upRugbyWorld Cup
The biggest Rugby World Cup in history brings 24 nations to Australia for 52 matches and six weeks of international rugby.
Edition
2027
Nations
24
Matches
52
Host cities
7
Countdown to the final
372
days until Stadium Australia
Opening night
Australia opens the biggest World Cup
The hosts begin Australia 2027 against Hong Kong China at Perth Stadium on 1 October.
Host nation
Australia
1 OCT 2027
VS
Perth Stadium
Visitors
Hong Kong China
Championship destination
Sydney awaits
The tournament concludes at Stadium Australia on 13 November 2027.
Final venue
Stadium Australia
Capacity
82,000
Final date
13 November
Trophy
Webb Ellis Cup
The road to Sydney
Route to the Final
Follow sixteen nations through the Round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals to the Webb Ellis Cup decider at Stadium Australia.
R16→
QF→
SF→
FINAL
Pool Stage
Six pools. One world champion.
The top two nations in every pool advance automatically. Four of the six third-placed nations also qualify.
Australia 2027
Pool A
Australia 2027
Pool B
Australia 2027
Pool C
Australia 2027
Pool D
Australia 2027
Pool E
Australia 2027
Pool F
Qualification Watch
Best third-place race
The six third-placed nations are ranked together. The leading four reach the Round of 16.
RankNationPoolPtsPDTDTriesStatus
1CHIChilePool A00——Out2GEOGeorgiaPool B00——Out3SpainPool C00——Out4UruguayPool D00——Out5USAPool E00——Out6TongaPool F00——OutQualification Key
Road to the Round of 16
Pool winner
Position 1
The winner of each pool qualifies automatically for the Round of 16 and receives a seeded route.
Automatic qualification
Position 2
Every pool runner-up qualifies automatically for the Round of 16.
Best third-place race
Four highest-ranked third-place nations
The four strongest third-placed nations across all six pools complete the Round-of-16 field.
Tournament complete
Remaining nations
The two lowest-ranked third-place nations and every fourth-placed nation are eliminated.
Tournament Structure
52 matches to crown a champion
01
Pool Stage
Twenty-four nations compete across six pools of four, with every nation playing three pool matches.
02
Automatic Places
The winner and runner-up from every pool advance automatically, producing twelve knockout qualifiers.
03
Best Third-place Race
The six third-placed nations are ranked together, with the strongest four progressing.
04
Round of 16
Sixteen nations enter the first knockout round in the expanded 2027 tournament format.
05
Final Eight
The Round-of-16 winners advance into four quarter-finals before the final four reach Sydney.
06
Championship Weekend
The bronze final and Rugby World Cup Final conclude the tournament at Stadium Australia.
Across Australia
Seven host cities
Host city 02
Brisbane | Meeanjin
Brisbane Stadium
A major knockout destination hosting pool matches, Round-of-16 ties and quarter-finals.
Host city 03
Melbourne | Narrm
Docklands Stadium
The tournament’s retractable-roof venue and host of pool and Round-of-16 rugby.
Host city 04
Newcastle | Awabakal-Worimi
Newcastle Stadium
A passionate regional rugby destination forming part of Australia’s seven-city tournament.
Host city 05
Perth | Boorloo
Perth Stadium
The tournament’s western gateway and host of the opening match on 1 October 2027.
Host city 06
Sydney | Wangal & Gadigal
Stadium Australia · Sydney Football Stadium
The tournament’s championship destination, hosting quarter-finals, semi-finals, the bronze final and the final.
Host city 07
Townsville | Gurambilbarra
North Queensland Stadium
A first-time Rugby World Cup venue bringing the tournament to northern Queensland.
World Cup Records
Holding champions
South Africa
Most titles
South Africa · 4
First tournament
1987
2027 field
24 nations