The draw for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 will take place on Wednesday, serving as the next major step on the road to what will be the biggest tournament in the sport’s history, with 24 teams battling it out for the Webb Ellis Cup in two years’ time.
For the defending champion Springboks, there will be huge interest in who is drawn in their pool.
As per the new format, there will now be six pools with four teams in each.
The top two teams from each pool will progress to the Round of 16, while the four best third-place teams will also progress. Those four teams will be determined by competition points firstly, and if that doesn’t separate the sides then points difference and try difference will be the next factors used respectively to determine which teams make it out of the pool stage.
KEEP TRACK OF THE RUGBY WORLD CUP DRAW AS IT HAPPENS
Where will the games be played?
With the new format there will be 52 games at Rugby World Cup 2027, an increase from the 48 we saw at Rugby World Cup 2023. The games will be shared between seven iconic Australian cities: Adelaide | Tarntanya, Brisbane | Meeanjin, Melbourne | Narrm, Newcastle | Awabakal-Worimi, Perth | Boorloo, Sydney | Gadigal and Townsville | Gurambilbarra.
When can I buy tickets?
Fans will have two initial opportunities to secure their place at Rugby World Cup 2027, with the first tickets going on sale following the release of the match schedule early in 2026. First, in February 2026, a closed presale will open for fans who have registered their interest before the presale begins at rugbyworldcup.com/2027.
All matches and all price categories will be available during this presale, and fans are encouraged to register to give themselves the best chance to secure tickets.
Then, in May 2026, a three-week general application phase will open to all supporters worldwide, offering the chance to request tickets for any match with a ballot system implemented for oversubscribed price categories to ensure fairness.
Full ticketing information can be found by clicking here.
World Rugby Chair, Brett Robinson, said: “With only two years until the biggest Men’s Rugby World Cup ever, I’m thrilled to see the tournament draw date revealed. The draw brings the potential match-ups to life, rivalries are set and fans across the globe can envision the unforgettable rugby that awaits.
“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 and every team has the chance to make history. Importantly, we’ve been able to achieve this within a streamlined tournament window that protects player welfare while enhancing the spectacle. This is a huge step forward for rugby and a reflection of the game’s global growth.”
