By Kevin Rademeyer, Sports Journalist.
With 500 days remaining until the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 kicks off in Australia, organisers have officially opened the tournament’s ticket application phase following overwhelming global demand during the presale period.
More than 750,000 tickets were snapped up by fans across 135 countries during the initial presale, underlining growing anticipation for what will be the largest Rugby World Cup in history. The 2027 edition will feature an expanded 24 team format for the first time.
To mark the milestone, former All Blacks forward Brad Thorn, ex Wallabies captain James Horwill and current Australian flyhalf Tom Lynagh joined hundreds of schoolchildren in Brisbane to form a giant human mosaic spelling “RWC27” alongside the Webb Ellis Cup, which returned to the city for the first time in 23 years.
Fans can now apply for tickets to all 52 matches, including pool games, knockout fixtures and the final, through the official Rugby World Cup ticketing platform. Applications remain open until 2 June 2026, with successful applicants set to be notified from 23 June.
Tournament organisers say the application process has been designed to give all supporters an equal opportunity to secure seats, regardless of when they apply. A ballot system will be used for oversubscribed matches and categories.
South African supporters are expected to feature prominently among travelling fans after the Springboks secured back to back world titles by defeating New Zealand national rugby union team in the 2023 final in France. South Africa will head into Australia 2027 chasing an unprecedented third consecutive crown.
Earlier this year, organisers confirmed eight venues across seven Australian cities for the tournament. The opening match will take place at Perth Stadium, while the final will be staged at Stadium Australia in Sydney, which has a capacity of 82,000.
Other host cities include Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Newcastle and Townsville. Brisbane Stadium is set to host quarterfinal matches, while Melbourne’s Docklands Stadium will become the tournament’s only fully enclosed venue.
Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 managing director Chris Stanley said the tournament would deliver a nationwide celebration of rugby and inspire a new generation of supporters across Australia and beyond.