Australia 2027 to be most accessible Rugby World Cup in history, organisers vow

OPEN DOOR: “This ticketing program has been designed with one simple principle: put the fans first,” World Rugby chair Brett Robinson said. Pic: World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images

Rugby World Cup organisers have promised their Australia 2027 event will be the biggest and most accessible tournament in history with a million tickets costing less than AUD$100 (€56).

More than 2.5 million tickets will be made available with tickets for pool matches, up for grabs in a closed pre-sale to supporters who register on worldrugby.com starting today until the end of January 2026. They will start at just AUD$40 (€22.50) with children’s tickets available from AUD$20 (11.25). The pre-sale period will be open during February with a three-week general application phase next May.

“This ticketing program has been designed with one simple principle: put the fans first,” World Rugby chair Brett Robinson said.

“For the first time in over two decades, Men’s Rugby World Cup returns to Australian shores, and we’re determined to make it bigger, bolder, and more accessible than ever before.

“With more than 2.5 million tickets available, a wide range of pricing options, and innovations like the Superfan Pass, we’re giving every fan — whether lifelong supporter or first-time attendee — the chance to be part of something truly special.

“Rugby World Cup 2027 is more than a tournament; it’s a celebration of everything great about our game. It’s about reigniting the love for rugby, inspiring a new generation, and showcasing our values to the world. We want every ticket, every cheer, every moment to help grow the game worldwide.” 

Ireland supporters will learn their team’s pool opponents this December when the draw is made based on seedings based on world rankings set after November’s Autumn Nations Series of Test matches. The match schedule is scheduled to be announced next January with an expanded 24-team tournament featuring an additional Round of 16 knockout round.

Seven Australian cities will stage matches, with the opening match in Perth, Western Australia on October 1. Townsville and Brisbane in Queensland, Newcastle in New South Wales, Adelaide in South Australia, and Melbourne, Victoria will also host matches as well as Sydney, including the final on November 13.

Organisers on Tuesday also announced a Superfan Pass offering guaranteed access to buy up to four tickets for any of the 52 matches, including the final. On sale from August 5, there will be 2,027 passes made available at €489 (AUD$750).

Launching their ticketing programme three days after the British & Irish Lions and Australia played their second Test in front of 90,307 supporters at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin insisted the governing body had not missed a trick staging the 2027 World Cup final at the iconic stadium and the showcase match would be in Stadium Australia, currently known as Accor Stadium, where this Saturday’s third Lions Test will be played.

“The amazing thing here is it's such a competitive environment between states and cities for sports content,” Gilpin said. “Sydney put their best foot forward and were an amazing host of the semi-finals and final in 2003.

“I had the privilege of being here then. They will be again in 2027. What we saw on Saturday is that rugby can make some noise in Melbourne as well. We're looking forward to Melbourne being part of that tournament.

“There's a stadium in Perth that wasn't there in 2003 that's amazing. The venue landscape is really exceptional. We're excited to get access to those great venues.”