2027 Rugby World Cup: Complete Schedule, Dates And Venues

See the full 2027 Rugby World Cup schedule, including all 52 matches, pool fixtures, knockout dates, stadiums and the final in Australia.

Nov 2, 2026 by Ajay Shah

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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.

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.