Fans have criticised ticket prices for the upcoming 2027 Rugby World Cup after it emerged that the highest-priced ticket for next year's final will cost more than £1,000 for the first time in the tournament’s history.
BBC Sport have reported that a category-one seat for the 13 November final at Sydney's Stadium Australia is being sold for A$1,950 (£1,035).
The equivalent ticket at France 2023 cost 950 euros (£823 at today’s exchange rate). The most expensive final ticket at Japan 2019 was priced at £717, while England 2015 and New Zealand 2011 came in at £715 and £545 respectively.
Organisers, however, have defended the pricing strategy. They argue that the most expensive tickets are comparable with those at other major sporting events and help make it possible for more than a million tickets to be sold for under A$100 (£53).
The cheapest adult tickets are priced at A$40 (£21), while A$20 (£11) child tickets will be available for every match except the semi-finals and final.
Fans reacted negatively to a BBC Sport post on X about the prices. One user responded, "Is this not too much?" while another wrote, "Like wow….sport is only for the rich now …"
Others compared the prices to those for the FIFA World Cup taking place in the USA, Mexico and Canada this year. One user commented, "So, its not only football fans getting their pants pulled down over World Cup tickets?"
Although prices for the Rugby World Cup have drawn criticism, they are still far below those being charged for this summer’s football World Cup, where FIFA is reportedly asking up to $10,990 (£8,333) for tickets to the final during the first open sales phase.
The 2031 Rugby World Cup will take place in the United States, raising concerns among some supporters that the trend of increasingly expensive tickets may continue beyond Australia.
One fan defended the pricing model, pointing out that only the premium seats are affected and that it could help keep most tickets affordable. They said, "This may be a controversial take, but so long as there are a decent number of cheaper tickets available, fill your boots and charge what you want for the posh seats
"It’s the Rugby World Cup final – it’s absolutely fine use it to earn plenty of money to fund rugby"
Fans remain split over the issue, with some viewing higher prices as a necessary part of modern sport, while others fear it could damage the game by pushing loyal working fans out of attending major events.
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2027 Rugby World Cup draw: Springboks face daunting path to the final
The expanded 24-team tournament will be played across Australia from 1 October 2027, with six pools of four teams and a new round-of-16 knockout phase. With fixtures and venues now confirmed by World Rugby, attention quickly turns to how each group will unfold.
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Pool A — New Zealand, Australia (H), Chile, Hong Kong China
Group summary
Pool A features tournament hosts Australia and three-time champions New Zealand, making it one of the headline groups of the opening phase. Chile and Hong Kong China will be targeting historic results, while the trans-Tasman clash between Australia and New Zealand is expected to be one of the most watched pool matches of the tournament.
Fixtures
- 1 October 2027 — Australia vs Hong Kong China
Perth Stadium, Perth - 2 October 2027 — New Zealand vs Chile
Perth Stadium, Perth - 9 October 2027 — New Zealand vs Australia
Stadium Australia, Sydney - 9 October 2027 — Chile vs Hong Kong China
North Queensland Stadium, Townsville - 15 October 2027 — New Zealand vs Hong Kong China
Docklands Stadium, Melbourne - 16 October 2027 — Australia vs Chile
Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane
Pool B — South Africa, Italy, Georgia, Romania
Group summary
Defending champions South Africa headline Pool B and begin their campaign against Italy. Georgia continue to establish themselves as a consistent World Cup presence, while Romania return aiming to challenge for third place and possible qualification via rankings.
Fixtures
- 3 October 2027 — South Africa vs Italy
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide - 3 October 2027 — Georgia vs Romania
North Queensland Stadium, Townsville - 10 October 2027 — South Africa vs Georgia
Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane - 11 October 2027 — Italy vs Romania
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney - 17 October 2027 — Italy vs Georgia
Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle - 17 October 2027 — South Africa vs Romania
Perth Stadium, Perth
Pool C — Argentina, Fiji, Spain, Canada
Group summary
Pool C blends South American consistency with Pacific flair. Argentina enter as favourites, while Fiji’s attacking threat makes them dangerous opponents for any side. Spain return to the World Cup looking to make an impact, and Canada continue their rebuilding process.
Fixtures
- 3 October 2027 — Argentina vs Canada
Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane - 4 October 2027 — Fiji vs Spain
Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle - 10 October 2027 — Fiji vs Canada
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide - 10 October 2027 — Argentina vs Spain
Docklands Stadium, Melbourne - 16 October 2027 — Argentina vs Fiji
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide - 17 October 2027 — Spain vs Canada
North Queensland Stadium, Townsville
Pool D — Ireland, Scotland, Uruguay, Portugal
Group summary
Ireland and Scotland lead Pool D in what shapes as a tightly contested group. Uruguay and Portugal bring speed and tactical variety, with qualification likely to be decided by fine margins, discipline, and bonus points.
Fixtures
- 3 October 2027 — Scotland vs Uruguay
Docklands Stadium, Melbourne - 4 October 2027 — Ireland vs Portugal
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney - 10 October 2027 — Ireland vs Scotland
Perth Stadium, Perth - 11 October 2027 — Uruguay vs Portugal
Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle - 17 October 2027 — Ireland vs Uruguay
Docklands Stadium, Melbourne - 17 October 2027 — Scotland vs Portugal
Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane
Pool E — France, Japan, United States, Samoa
Group summary
France headline Pool E after reaching the previous final, with Japan expected to challenge strongly for second place. Samoa and the United States provide physicality and athleticism, making this one of the more unpredictable groups.
Fixtures
- 2 October 2027 — France vs United States
Docklands Stadium, Melbourne - 3 October 2027 — Japan vs Samoa
Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle - 9 October 2027 — United States vs Samoa
Perth Stadium, Perth - 9 October 2027 — France vs Japan
Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane - 15 October 2027 — Japan vs United States
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide - 17 October 2027 — France vs Samoa
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Pool F — England, Wales, Tonga, Zimbabwe
Group summary
Pool F is defined by the renewed rivalry between England and Wales, who will meet in one of the final pool fixtures in Sydney. Tonga’s physical style and Zimbabwe’s return to the World Cup add further intrigue, with third place potentially enough to reach the knockout stage depending on rankings.
Fixtures
16 October 2027 — England vs Wales
Stadium Australia, Sydney
Stadium Australia, Sydney
2 October 2027 — Wales vs Zimbabwe
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
2 October 2027 — England vs Tonga
Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane
Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane
8 October 2027 — Wales vs Tonga
Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
8 October 2027 — England vs Zimbabwe
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
15 October 2027 — Tonga vs Zimbabwe
North Queensland Stadium, Townsville
North Queensland Stadium, Townsville
