Published 11 May 2026 · Australia hosts the 11th Rugby World Cup from 1 October to 13 November 2027. The first 24-team Rugby World Cup ever staged: 52 matches, 8 stadiums, 7 host cities. Here's the complete guide for UK fans to plan the trip of a lifetime.
The Rugby World Cup 2027 takes place in Australia from Friday 1 October to Saturday 13 November 2027 — a six-week tournament. It is the third time Australia has hosted the event, after 1987 (co-hosted with New Zealand) and 2003 (sole host).
For the first time in its history, the Rugby World Cup expands to 24 teams (up from 20 since 1999). The new format brings several changes:
World Rugby chose the expanded format to give more opportunities to emerging nations (Portugal, Chile, Georgia, Tonga, Samoa, Hong Kong China, and others) and to refresh the event after a 2023 edition that some felt was too predictable in the pool stage.
Stadium Australia (82,000 capacity): hosts the final on 13 November, both semi-finals and the bronze final. Built for the 2000 Olympic Games, it's the biggest stadium in Australia.
Sydney Football Stadium (45,500 capacity): pool matches. A modern rectangular venue, rebuilt in 2022.
Nicknamed "The Cauldron", it hosts the quarter-finals in the top half of the draw. Capacity: 52,500.
Known as Marvel Stadium under its sponsorship deal, it's the only Australian venue with a retractable roof. Capacity 53,000. Pool matches.
Hosts the opening match, Australia v Hong Kong China, on Friday 1 October 2027. Capacity 60,000.
An iconic Australian cricket ground, reconfigured for pool rugby matches. Capacity 53,500. A bucket-list venue for any sports fan.
A more modest venue (33,000 capacity) for pool matches. Newcastle is roughly a two-hour drive from Sydney.
A tropical venue in warm North Queensland weather. Capacity 25,000. Pool matches, beach-and-reef atmosphere.
The 24 teams in 2027 are made up as follows:
Among the headline teams: South Africa (defending champions in 2019 and 2023), New Zealand, Australia (host nation), Ireland, France, England, Argentina, Scotland, Wales, Italy, Japan and Fiji. Likely newcomers include Portugal, Georgia, Romania, Spain, Chile and Hong Kong China.
The official ticket sales hub is rugbyworldcup.com/2027. Several phases have been announced:
Reserved for members of the "Rugby World Cup 2027 Fan" programme (free to join). Registered fans receive an access code and can buy ahead of the general public, with a per-household allocation.
National unions purchase ticket allocations for their supporters. UK-based fans will most often go through the RFU (for England), the SRU, WRU, or via official rugby-specialist travel operators.
Public ticketing opens in waves. Wave 1: pool matches. Wave 2: Round of 16 and quarter-finals. Wave 3: semi-finals and the final. The best seats (categories 1-2 for the marquee fixtures) go in a matter of hours.
Allow 22 to 28 hours of flight time with 1 or 2 stops (Singapore, Doha, Dubai, Hong Kong, Tokyo). Recommended carriers: Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, British Airways. Average return fare from London: £1,000 to £2,200 depending on dates and how early you book. For October-November 2027 (Australian spring), book now (May 2026) to lock in the best fares.
For UK passport holders: an eVisitor visa (subclass 651) — free, applied for online on the Australian government site (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au). Valid for 12 months, stays of up to 3 months. Apply ideally 4-6 weeks before travel.
Eastern Australia (Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne) is 10 hours ahead of the UK outside Australian summer time, and 11 hours ahead during it (October-November coincides with the start of Australian summer time). Perth (Western Australia) is 7 or 8 hours ahead of the UK. In practical terms, a Saturday evening kick-off in Sydney lands in the UK in the late morning.
It's the Australian spring, generally very pleasant. Sydney and Melbourne: 15-25°C. Brisbane and Queensland: 22-30°C. Perth: 18-28°C. Townsville (tropical): 25-32°C. Pack light clothing plus a jumper for the evenings.
England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland will each play four pool matches (in pools of four) between 1 and 21 October 2027. The pool draw took place in December 2024. Finish top of your pool and you go straight into the Round of 16, then potentially quarter-final, semi-final and final.
The home unions and their official travel partners are likely to offer travel packages through their members' schemes (England Rugby Travel for the RFU, plus equivalents at the SRU, WRU and IRFU): match ticket + hotel + transfers. Check the official union websites from autumn 2026.
Rugby World Cup 2027 tickets go on sale in waves between 2026 and 2027. Sign up to receive an email at each official on-sale on rugbyworldcup.com.