If you’ve ever checked the Rugby World Cup schedule years ahead, you’re not alone. With the men’s tournament returning to Australia in 2027 and the women’s edition kicking off in England in 2025, fans have plenty to plan for. Here’s what we know about the next Rugby World Cup cycle—hosts, tickets, fixtures, and the key dates that matter.

4 related posts

Next Men’s RWC Year: 2027 · Men’s 2027 Host: Australia · Next Women’s RWC Year: 2025 · Women’s 2025 Host: England · Men’s 2031 Host: USA

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact final venue for 2027 (expected Stadium Australia, Sydney – not confirmed) (Rugby World Cup official website)
  • Ticket prices and general on-sale dates (Rugby World Cup official website notes applications closed)
  • Full match fixtures, draw, and pool allocations (pending qualifying) (Rugby World Cup official website)
3Timeline signal
  • 2022: World Rugby confirms hosts for 2027–2033 (World Rugby)
  • 2025: Women’s Rugby World Cup in England
  • 2027: Men’s Rugby World Cup in Australia (1 Oct – 13 Nov)
4What’s next
  • Ticket general sale dates to be announced
  • Draw expected after qualifying ends
  • Qualifying tournaments continue through 2026

Six key facts, one takeaway: the next decade of Rugby World Cup hosting has been mapped out, and Australia and the USA will be the dominant stages.

Fact Detail
Next Men’s RWC Year 2027
Men’s 2027 Host Australia
Next Women’s RWC Year 2025
Women’s 2025 Host England
Men’s 2031 Host USA
Women’s 2029 Host Australia

Where is the next Rugby World Cup in 2027?

The Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 will be played in Australia, the host nation confirmed by World Rugby in 2022 (World Rugby). The tournament runs from 1 October to 13 November 2027 (Rugby World Cup official website).

  • Opening match: 1 October 2027 at Perth Stadium, featuring the Wallabies (VenuesWest (Western Australia venue authority)).
  • Expected final venue: Stadium Australia in Sydney (not yet officially confirmed).
  • Host cities: Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney, and Townsville (Rugby World Cup host cities page).

Where will the RWC 2027 final be?

The final is widely expected to be held at Stadium Australia in Sydney, but World Rugby has not yet made a formal announcement. The tournament’s official site lists Sydney among host cities but does not allocate the final venue (Rugby World Cup host cities page).

Where is the Rugby World Cup 2026?

There is no Rugby World Cup in 2026. The next men’s tournament is 2027 in Australia; the immediate next women’s tournament is 2025 in England (World Rugby).

Bottom line: The 2027 men’s tournament is firmly in Australia, with Perth kicking things off. Fans should treat Sydney as the likely final host, but wait for an official confirmation.
The upshot

Australia’s selection as host for both the 2027 men’s and 2029 women’s tournaments gives the country a rare double. For fans Down Under, it means a decade of top-tier international rugby at home.

Where are the next 5 rugby world cups?

World Rugby awarded multiple tournaments in a single announcement in 2022. The next five Rugby World Cups are:

  • Women’s 2025 – England
  • Men’s 2027 – Australia
  • Women’s 2029 – Australia
  • Men’s 2031 – USA
  • Women’s 2033 – USA (World Rugby)

Where will the 2029 Rugby World Cup be held?

Australia will host the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029 (World Rugby).

Where is the next Rugby World Cup 2031?

The USA will host the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2031, the first time the tournament is staged in the Americas (Rugby World Cup official website).

Bottom line: The USA’s consecutive hosting of 2031 (men’s) and 2033 (women’s) marks a huge expansion for rugby in North America. For now, the 2025 women’s tournament in England is the immediate priority for fans.

How much will RWC 2027 tickets cost?

Official ticket prices for the 2027 Rugby World Cup have not been announced. The tournament’s ticketing site currently lists hospitality packages via Experiences.RugbyWorldCup.com (official hospitality platform), and standard ticket applications are closed at this stage (Rugby World Cup official website).

What official ticket packages are available for Rugby World Cup 2027?

Hospitality packages—including premium seating, catering, and other perks—are available now through World Rugby’s authorized partner (Experiences.RugbyWorldCup.com). General admission tickets have not yet gone on sale.

When will Rugby World Cup 2027 tickets be available?

World Rugby has not set a date for general ticket sales. Fans are advised to monitor the official Rugby World Cup website for updates. The previous tournament (2023) saw tickets released about 18 months before kick-off, but that timeline may shift.

The catch

With demand far exceeding supply for recent World Cups, fans who wait for general sale may face disappointment. Early registration on the official site is the safest move.

The implication: fans should register early on the official site to avoid missing out.

What are the Rugby World Cup 2027 fixtures?

Exact match fixtures for 2027 have not been published. The draw, which determines pool allocation, depends on world rankings after qualifying concludes. Key format details are already known (World Rugby):

  • 24 teams in six pools of four
  • Top two from each pool plus the four best third-place teams advance to a Round of 16
  • Total of 52 matches, up from 48 in 2023

What is the Rugby World Cup 2027 draw?

The draw will be conducted after the qualification process is complete, likely in early 2026. Australia are automatically assigned to Pool A as host nation (World Rugby).

What are the pools for the next Rugby World Cup?

Pool assignments will depend on rankings at the time of the draw. The 2023 format used four pools of five; the 2027 edition switches to six pools of four for a more balanced competition.

What to watch

With 24 teams and a knockout round for the third-placed sides, the 2027 tournament is designed for upsets. Smaller nations will have a genuine path to the quarter-finals for the first time.

The pattern: the expanded format increases the chance of upsets, making the tournament more unpredictable.

When is the next Rugby World Cup women’s tournament?

The next Women’s Rugby World Cup is in 2025, hosted by England (World Rugby). This tournament comes before the 2027 men’s edition, making it the immediate World Cup on the calendar.

Who is hosting the women’s 2025 Rugby World Cup?

England will host the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. Exact venues and match schedule are expected to be released by World Rugby later this year.

Where will the 2029 women’s Rugby World Cup be held?

Australia will host the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029, following its men’s hosting in 2027 (World Rugby).

Bottom line: Women’s rugby fans should focus on 2025 in England. The tournament is less than two years away, and it will set the stage for the sport’s growing profile worldwide.

Timeline: Key dates in the Rugby World Cup cycle

  • 2022 – World Rugby confirms hosts for 2027, 2029, 2031, and 2033 (World Rugby)
  • 2025 – Women’s Rugby World Cup in England
  • 1 Oct – 13 Nov 2027 – Men’s Rugby World Cup in Australia (Rugby World Cup official website)
  • 2029 – Women’s Rugby World Cup in Australia
  • 2031 – Men’s Rugby World Cup in USA
  • 2033 – Women’s Rugby World Cup in USA

The timeline confirms a busy decade for rugby fans worldwide.

Clarity: What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

The table below clarifies which details are set and which remain pending.

Confirmed facts What’s unclear
Australia hosts Men’s RWC 2027 Exact final venue for 2027
USA hosts Men’s RWC 2031 Ticket prices and on-sale dates
England hosts Women’s RWC 2025 Fixtures, draw, and pool allocations
Australia hosts Women’s RWC 2029 Ireland’s specific matches in 2027
USA hosts Women’s RWC 2033 Broadcast rights details for 2027

Overall, the next decade of Rugby World Cup hosting is mapped out, but many specifics are still to come.

Expert perspectives

“Australia will host Rugby World Cup 2027 (men’s) and 2029 (women’s); USA to host 2031 (men’s) and 2033 (women’s).”

“World Rugby and Canal+ Group have reached a landmark agreement to secure coverage of the next two Rugby World Cups for Africa.”

— World Rugby and Canal+ Group press release (Rugby World Cup official website)

For fans planning ahead, the next five years are packed with major tournaments. The pattern is clear: Australia and the USA will become the sport’s new heartlands for the late 2020s and early 2030s. For the average supporter, the immediate priority is the 2025 Women’s World Cup in England—a tournament that will likely set attendance records for the women’s game.

Additional sources

venueswest.wa.gov.au, roadtrips.com, en.wikipedia.org, rugbyworldcup.com, stadiaworld.com

For Irish fans keen to plan ahead, the confirmed 2027 fixtures offer a detailed look at the match schedule and venues Down Under.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Rugby World Cup held every 4 years?

Yes, both the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups are held every four years. The men’s tournament alternates with the women’s, with the men’s in 2027 and the women’s in 2025, 2029, etc.

What is the difference between the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup?

They are separate tournaments managed by World Rugby with similar structures. The women’s tournament has grown rapidly in recent years and will feature expanded participation and increased prize money. Both are held every four years but in different years.

How can I watch the Rugby World Cup 2027?

Broadcast rights vary by region. World Rugby sells rights to national broadcasters. In the US, NBC Sports has carried previous tournaments; in the UK, ITV and BBC share coverage. Official streaming details will be announced closer to the event (Rugby World Cup official website).

Which teams have already qualified for Rugby World Cup 2027?

Australia qualifies automatically as host. The remaining 23 places will be filled through regional qualifying tournaments that started in 2024 and run through 2026 (World Rugby).

Will the 2027 Rugby World Cup be in the southern hemisphere?

Yes, Australia is in the southern hemisphere. Tournaments in the southern hemisphere typically align with spring (October–November) to avoid the European winter.

Are there any age-restrictions for attending Rugby World Cup matches?

Age restrictions depend on the host nation and stadium policies. Generally, children are welcome but may require a ticket. Alcohol sales and late matches may impose age limits. Check official venue policies when tickets become available.