The 2027 Rugby World Cup is going to be epic! World Rugby boss Alan Gilpin has revealed that the tournament will be more compact, leading to increased interest and bigger audiences. In four years’ time, Australia will play host to the global showpiece, which will now feature 24 teams. With six pools of four teams, the pool stage will be shorter, and there will be an extra round of knockout matches. Gilpin believes that expanding the competition is the right move at this time.
Speaking about the upcoming tournament, Gilpin expressed his excitement, saying, ‘Australia is going to be an amazing host! They have fantastic stadium infrastructure and great facilities for the teams. The new format will make the tournament more compact, with six pools of four teams progressing to a round of 16. Fans will love the additional knockout matches, and we expect to see a surge in interest and larger audiences.’
Gilpin also highlighted the importance of providing more opportunities for emerging nations to qualify for the World Cup. Starting from 2026, there will be a new international competition that will help prepare these teams and reduce mismatches in the pool stages. Gilpin stated, ‘We want to expand and give more nations the chance to participate in a World Cup. By working with these teams and creating more regular competitions, we can ensure that they are better prepared. The move to 24 teams in 2027 feels like the perfect time to make this change.’
In addition to the Rugby World Cup, World Rugby has also announced the introduction of the ‘Nations Championship’ competition from 2026 onwards. This competition will feature the top sides from the Six Nations, The Rugby Championship, Japan, and Fiji. Gilpin addressed concerns that this new competition would only benefit the elite rugby nations, stating, ‘It’s not a closed shop! The top 12 teams will play in division one, but we’re already including Japan and Fiji, who don’t currently have regular access to this level of competition. The next 12 teams will play in division two, with promotion and relegation between the two divisions starting from 2030. This is a historic opportunity that doesn’t currently exist.’
So, get ready for an action-packed Rugby World Cup in 2027! With a more compact format, increased opportunities for emerging nations, and the introduction of the Nations Championship, rugby fans are in for a treat. Mark your calendars and prepare to cheer on your favourite teams as they battle it out on the field!