2027 Rugby World Cup: Complete Schedule, Dates And Venues

· Yahoo Sports

The 2027 Men's Rugby World Cup kicks off next year on Oct. 1, 2027, bringing together 24 nations for the largest tournament in the competition's history. The expanded event features 52 matches across seven Australian cities, culminating in the final at Stadium Australia in Sydney on Nov. 13.

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Australia will open the tournament against Hong Kong China in Perth, while other early highlights include France facing the USA, South Africa beginning its title defense against Italy, and New Zealand taking on the host Wallabies.

For the first time, the Men's Rugby World Cup will feature six pools of four teams and a round of 16, giving more nations an opportunity to reach the knockout stage.

Here is the complete 2027 Rugby World Cup schedule, including pool-stage fixtures, knockout dates, venues and everything else to know about the tournament in Australia.

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When Is The 2027 Rugby World Cup?

The 2027 Men's Rugby World Cup begins Friday, Oct. 1, and concludes Saturday, Nov. 13, in Australia.

Key dates include:

  • Oct. 1: Opening match — Australia vs. Hong Kong China
  • Oct. 1–17: Pool stage
  • Oct. 23–24: Round of 16
  • Oct. 30–31: Quarterfinals
  • Nov. 5–6: Semifinals
  • Nov. 12: Bronze final
  • Nov. 13: Rugby World Cup final

The tournament will feature 52 matches across 19 match days, with Stadium Australia hosting both semifinals, the bronze final and the championship match.

2027 Rugby World Cup Complete Pool-Stage Schedule

The pool stage consists of 36 matches across six groups, with each nation playing three matches before the knockout rounds.

All kickoff times below are listed in local Australian time and are subject to change.

Friday, Oct. 1

  • Australia vs. Hong Kong China — 6:45 p.m. — Perth Stadium, Perth

Saturday, Oct. 2

  • Wales vs. Zimbabwe — 12:15 p.m. — Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

  • New Zealand vs. Chile — 1:15 p.m. — Perth Stadium, Perth

  • France vs. USA — 5:45 p.m. — Docklands Stadium, Melbourne

  • England vs. Tonga — 8:15 p.m. — Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane

Sunday, Oct. 3

  • Japan vs. Samoa — 12:15 p.m. — Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle

  • South Africa vs. Italy — 2:15 p.m. — Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

  • Scotland vs. Uruguay — 5:15 p.m. — Docklands Stadium, Melbourne

  • Georgia vs. Romania — 8:15 p.m. — North Queensland Stadium, Townsville

Monday, Oct. 4

  • Fiji vs. Spain — 2:15 p.m. — Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle

  • Ireland vs. Portugal — 5:15 p.m. — Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney

  • Argentina vs. Canada — 6:45 p.m. — Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane

Friday, Oct. 8

  • Wales vs. Tonga — 6:15 p.m. — Docklands Stadium, Melbourne

  • England vs. Zimbabwe — 8:15 p.m. — Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Saturday, Oct. 9

  • USA vs. Samoa — 12:15 p.m. — Perth Stadium, Perth

  • New Zealand vs. Australia — 5:10 p.m. — Stadium Australia, Sydney

  • France vs. Japan — 6:45 p.m. — Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane

  • Chile vs. Hong Kong China — 8:15 p.m. — North Queensland Stadium, Townsville

Sunday, Oct. 10

  • Fiji vs. Canada — 12:15 p.m. — Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

  • Argentina vs. Spain — 3:15 p.m. — Docklands Stadium, Melbourne

  • South Africa vs. Georgia — 4:45 p.m. — Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane

  • Ireland vs. Scotland — 5:45 p.m. — Perth Stadium, Perth

Monday, Oct. 11

  • Uruguay vs. Portugal — 5:15 p.m. — Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle

  • Italy vs. Romania — 7:45 p.m. — Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney

Friday, Oct. 15

  • New Zealand vs. Hong Kong China — 5:15 p.m. — Docklands Stadium, Melbourne

  • Japan vs. USA — 8 p.m. — Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

  • Tonga vs. Zimbabwe — 8:15 p.m. — North Queensland Stadium, Townsville

Saturday, Oct. 16

  • Argentina vs. Fiji — 1:15 p.m. — Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

  • Australia vs. Chile — 3:10 p.m. — Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane

  • England vs. Wales — 7:45 p.m. — Stadium Australia, Sydney

  • Spain vs. Canada — 8:15 p.m. — North Queensland Stadium, Townsville

Sunday, Oct. 17

  • Italy vs. Georgia — 12:15 p.m. — Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle

  • Ireland vs. Uruguay — 2:45 p.m. — Docklands Stadium, Melbourne

  • Scotland vs. Portugal — 4:15 p.m. — Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane

  • South Africa vs. Romania — 7:15 p.m. — Perth Stadium, Perth

  • France vs. Samoa — 7:45 p.m. — Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney

The final day of pool play will feature five matches, the most ever staged on a single day at a Men's Rugby World Cup.

2027 Rugby World Cup Knockout Schedule

The 2027 edition introduces a round of 16 for the first time. The top two teams in each pool will qualify automatically, joined by the four best third-place finishers.

Round Of 16: Oct. 23–24

Saturday, Oct. 23

  • Match 1: Pool C runner-up vs. Pool F runner-up — 2:15 p.m. — Sydney Football Stadium

  • Match 2: Pool A winner vs. eligible third-place team from Pool C, E or F — 3:45 p.m. — Brisbane Stadium

  • Match 3: Pool E winner vs. Pool D runner-up — 7:15 p.m. — Docklands Stadium

  • Match 4: Pool B winner vs. eligible third-place team from Pool D, E or F — 6:45 p.m. — Perth Stadium

Sunday, Oct. 24

  • Match 5: Pool C winner vs. eligible third-place team from Pool A, E or F — 2:15 p.m. — Sydney Football Stadium

  • Match 6: Pool D winner vs. eligible third-place team from Pool B, E or F — 4:45 p.m. — Docklands Stadium

  • Match 7: Pool A runner-up vs. Pool E runner-up — 6:15 p.m. — Brisbane Stadium

  • Match 8: Pool F winner vs. Pool B runner-up — 6:45 p.m. — Perth Stadium

Quarterfinals: Oct. 30–31

Saturday, Oct. 30

  • Quarterfinal 1: Winner Match 2 vs. Winner Match 4 — 4:45 p.m. — Stadium Australia, Sydney

  • Quarterfinal 2: Winner Match 1 vs. Winner Match 3 — 6:45 p.m. — Brisbane Stadium

Sunday, Oct. 31

  • Quarterfinal 3: Winner Match 5 vs. Winner Match 6 — 4 p.m. — Brisbane Stadium

  • Quarterfinal 4: Winner Match 7 vs. Winner Match 8 — 8 p.m. — Stadium Australia, Sydney

Semifinals: Nov. 5–6

  • Friday, Nov. 5: Semifinal 1 — 8 p.m. — Stadium Australia, Sydney

  • Saturday, Nov. 6: Semifinal 2 — 8 p.m. — Stadium Australia, Sydney

Bronze Final: Nov. 12

  • Friday, Nov. 12: Third-place playoff — 7:45 p.m. — Stadium Australia, Sydney

Rugby World Cup Final: Nov. 13

  • Saturday, Nov. 13: Championship final — 8 p.m. — Stadium Australia, Sydney

The winner will lift the Webb Ellis Cup, with South Africa entering the tournament as the two-time defending champion after winning the 2019 and 2023 editions.

Where Will The 2027 Rugby World Cup Be Played?

Australia will host the tournament across eight stadiums in seven cities.

The confirmed host venues are:

  • Adelaide — Adelaide Oval
  • Brisbane — Brisbane Stadium
  • Melbourne — Docklands Stadium
  • Newcastle — Newcastle Stadium
  • Perth — Perth Stadium
  • Sydney — Stadium Australia
  • Sydney — Sydney Football Stadium
  • Townsville — North Queensland Stadium

Perth Stadium will stage the opening match, while Stadium Australia will host the final. Brisbane and Sydney also will stage the quarterfinals, with the last four teams competing in Sydney.

Australia previously hosted the Men's Rugby World Cup in 2003 and co-hosted the inaugural 1987 tournament with New Zealand.

2027 Rugby World Cup Pools And Teams

The expanded competition includes 24 teams divided into six pools.

Pool A

  • New Zealand

  • Australia

  • Chile

  • Hong Kong China

Pool B

  • South Africa

  • Italy

  • Georgia

  • Romania

Pool C

  • Argentina

  • Fiji

  • Spain

  • Canada

Pool D

  • Ireland

  • Scotland

  • Uruguay

  • Portugal

Pool E

  • France

  • Japan

  • USA

  • Samoa

Pool F

  • England

  • Wales

  • Tonga

  • Zimbabwe

Pool play features several major rivalries, including Australia vs. New Zealand on Oct. 9, Ireland vs. Scotland on Oct. 10 and England vs. Wales on Oct. 16.

The United States begins its campaign against France on Oct. 2, followed by Samoa on Oct. 9 and Japan on Oct. 15.

How Does The 2027 Rugby World Cup Format Work?

The 2027 tournament expands from 20 to 24 nations and replaces the previous four pools of five with six pools of four.

Each team plays three pool matches, with the top two teams in every group advancing automatically to the round of 16. Four of the six third-place teams also advance based on their pool-stage performances.

The competition then moves into single-elimination rugby, progressing through the round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and final.

Despite the larger field and additional knockout round, the eventual champion will still play seven matches.

When Is The 2027 Rugby World Cup Final?

The 2027 Men's Rugby World Cup final will be played Saturday, Nov. 13, at Stadium Australia in Sydney.

Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. local time.

The stadium also will host both semifinals and the bronze final as the tournament concludes in Sydney.

How To Watch Rugby World Cup Stars Year-Round On FloRugby

Rugby fans in the United States can follow many players competing for the 2027 Rugby World Cup through professional club competitions available on FloRugby.

FloRugby is the U.S. streaming home of the United Rugby Championship, Gallagher PREM, Top 14, Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup.

These competitions feature leading clubs from countries including Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, France and South Africa, giving fans opportunities to follow international players throughout the club season.

Fans can watch live matches and replays on FloRugby and the FloSports app.

World Cup match broadcasting rights are separate from FloRugby's club rugby coverage.

Can I Watch Rugby All Year On FloRugby?

Yes. FloRugby offers live and on-demand rugby throughout the year with a subscription.

Fans can follow major club competitions and international rugby on FloRugby and the FloSports app. Match availability varies by region and broadcast rights.

What Rugby Competitions Can I Watch On FloRugby?

FloRugby streams the United Rugby Championship, Gallagher PREM, Top 14, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup and more.

Visit the FloRugby watch schedule to explore upcoming events. Availability varies by location and competition rights.

Where Can I Find Rugby News, Schedules And Results?

FloRugby provides rugby news, schedules, results, rankings and analysis throughout the season.

Visit FloRugby.com for the latest coverage from Europe's leading club competitions and beyond.

Where Can I Follow FloRugby?

Follow FloRugby for rugby news, highlights and updates throughout the season.

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