By Kevin Rademeyer.
Australia’s love affair with rugby roared back to life this week as all 2,027 Superfan Passes for the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup sold out in under an hour, fuelling a wave of excitement more than two years out from kick-off.
Released on Tuesday, the high demand passes offered buyers guaranteed early access to tickets across the entire tournament, a first for any Rugby World Cup. Within 60 minutes, they were gone.
The extraordinary demand signals a powerful start to ticketing for what is shaping up to be a landmark sporting event. It will be the first time in 24 years that Australia hosts the men’s Rugby World Cup and, with a newly expanded 24-team format, it promises to be the biggest and most inclusive edition in the tournament’s history.
“This was an idea born from what we heard directly from fans, a desire for certainty, for a chance to commit fully to the tournament,” said Chris Stanley, Managing Director of the 2027 event. “But we never imagined they would be snapped up this fast. It’s an incredible statement of intent from fans, and it sets the tone for what’s to come.”
Superfan Pass holders now hold a golden key to the tournament: exclusive first access to purchase up to four tickets per match, for any of the 52 games, capped at 52 tickets overall.
The 2027 tournament, running from 1 October to 13 November, will break new ground in several ways. It marks the debut of a 24-nation format, a move confirmed in late 2023 following impressive performances by emerging teams like Chile and Portugal in the previous World Cup. New structures, including an expanded group stage and additional knockout round, aim to boost global competition and grow the sport’s reach.
With South Africa returning as defending champions, and a broader field of challengers than ever before, anticipation is rising fast. Over one million tickets will be available under AUD$100, with children’s tickets starting from $20, positioning the tournament as one of the most accessible major sporting events ever staged on Australian soil.
Fans who missed out on a Superfan Pass can still secure their place. Registration is now open for the official Presale in February 2026, with sign-ups closing at the end of January 2026. Early registration is strongly recommended via rugbyworldcup.com/2027.
If the frenzy around the Superfan Pass is any indicator, the race for tickets has only just begun.