01 A bigger tournament
The 2027 men's Rugby World Cup grows from 20 teams to 24, the first expansion since 1999. It opens on 1 October with Australia against Hong Kong in Perth.
The knockout rounds begin on 23 October and the final is at Stadium Australia in Sydney on 13 November.
02 The champions
South Africa beat New Zealand 12–11 in the 2023 final in Paris. That made them the first nation to win four titles: 1995, 2007, 2019 and 2023.
New Zealand have three and Australia two. England are the only northern-hemisphere winners, in 2003.
03 Australia's third time
Australia co-hosted the first tournament in 1987 with New Zealand and hosted alone in 2003, when Jonny Wilkinson's extra-time drop goal beat them in the final.
Sources & corrections
[1] WORLD RUGBY: RUGBY WORLD CUP 2027 HOST CITIES AND SCHEDULE
[2] WORLD RUGBY RESULTS ARCHIVE
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