World Rugby has confirmed the locations for the next FOUR Rugby World Cups – while the race to stage the 2035 tournament is already beginning to take shape.
⭐ Save us to your Google Favourites for nonstop RUCK content!
The governing body has mapped out a huge decade for the sport, with Australia and the United States taking centre stage across the men’s and women’s tournaments.
Australia will host the men’s Rugby World Cup in 2027 before staging the women’s tournament two years later.
The competition will then break significant new ground, with the United States hosting the men’s World Cup for the first time in 2031 before also staging the women’s tournament in 2033.
Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
Next four Rugby World Cups
- 2027 – Australia (Men’s)
- 2029 – Australia (Women’s)
- 2031 – United States (Men’s)
- 2033 – United States (Women’s)
World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin said: “As a sport and an international federation, it is imperative that we continually seek new ways to ensure that the sport converts clear potential into impactful outcomes.”
He added that World Rugby’s partnership approach with host nations is designed to reduce staging costs, maximise revenue and fan engagement and ultimately increase investment back into the sport.
What about the 2035 Rugby World Cup?
The next available men’s tournament is Rugby World Cup 2035, and the race to stage it is already beginning to take shape.
Spain and Japan are among the countries to have made their interest clear, while the prospect of a South American tournament has also been discussed, potentially involving Argentina and other rugby nations from the continent.
Italy has previously expressed ambitions to stage a Rugby World Cup and would provide another European option.
Two of rugby’s traditional heavyweights will inevitably feature in the debate among supporters
England has not hosted the tournament since 2015, while South Africa’s only Rugby World Cup on home soil came back in 1995 – meaning it will have been 40 years since the Springboks’ iconic home triumph by the time 2035 arrives.
Neither should be presented as a confirmed 2035 bidder at this stage, but both would be obvious choices for supporters who want the tournament to return to one of rugby’s established heartlands.
So, where should World Rugby go next?
POLL: Who should host Rugby World Cup 2035?
England’s route to the 2027 Rugby World Cup final: Borthwick handed dream draw
Steve Borthwick’s side appear to have landed on the more favourable half of the draw, raising hopes of another deep run on the sport’s biggest stage.
From the pool phase to a possible final in Australia, here is England’s projected route through the tournament — and the major rivals who could stand in their way.
Pool Stage
England have been drawn with Wales, Tonga and Zimbabwe in Pool F at the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Although Wales are likely to strengthen by then, Steve Borthwick’s team will still be firm favourites to top the pool and advance to the round of 16 without major difficulty.
Round of 16
If England top their group, they will meet the Pool B runners-up in the round of 16. Pool B features South Africa, Italy, Georgia and Romania. The Springboks are expected to win the pool, meaning England would avoid the reigning back-to-back world champions, and the remaining teams are unlikely to pose a major threat.
Italy are the most probable candidates for second place. Although they are an improving side and far from a guaranteed victory, England should still be confident of beating them.
