Rugby World Cup 2027: Stadium Australia the Grand Final Host for Biggest Tournament in History

With exactly two years to go until the Men's Rugby World Cup 2027 kicks off, the tournament organisers have unveiled the draw date and the expanded format for what promises to be the biggest and most accessible event in rugby history.

The road to glory will lead directly to Sydney, with Stadium Australia as the venue for the final on 13 November 2027, following six weeks of world-class rugby action. This venue is set to host an unprecedented amount of knockout rugby, including semi-finals, quarter-finals, and Round of 16 matches, as the culmination of the expanded tournament format.

The Draw will be the next major milestone—set for the evening (AEST) of 3 December, 2025—where the 24 qualified teams will discover their pool stage opponents.

TOURNAMENT FACTS

The tournament scale is unprecedented:

• 24 teams, 52 matches, seven host cities across Australia.
• Six pools of four. First-ever Round of 16 at Men’s Rugby World Cup, ensuring more knockout rugby than ever before.
• 2.5 million tickets available, including one million under AUD$100.
• Opening match: 1 October 2027, Perth Stadium, Perth.
• Final: 13 November 2027, Stadium Australia, Sydney.

World Rugby Chair, Brett Robinson, highlighted the scale of the occasion: “Expanding Men’s Rugby World Cup to 24 teams is a landmark moment for our sport. It means more nations, more matches, and more opportunities for fans around the world to connect with rugby. The introduction of a Round of 16 will deliver even more knockout rugby, ensuring every match counts.”

This tournament promises to be the biggest sporting event on Australian soil since Sydney 2000, and fittingly, the road to victory will conclude at iconic Stadium Australia which hosted the Sydney 2000 Closing Ceremony exactly 25 years ago today (1 October 2025).

Anticipation will build rapidly ahead of the match schedule and the opening of ticket sales, which begin in February 2026. 

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Australians and the global rugby community to experience the greatest Rugby World Cup ever hosted.