List of Rugby World Cup Hosts: A Journey Through the Years
The Rugby World Cup is the upcoming big tournament which is scheduled for September 2023. We are trying to cover all information related to the event and while doing so, today we will be sharing a list of RWC host countries.
The Rugby World Cup is the premier international tournament in the sport of rugby union. Since its inception in 1987, the tournament has been held every four years and has been hosted by some of the biggest and most passionate rugby nations in the world. From the inaugural tournament in 1987, hosted by Australia and New Zealand, to the most recent tournament in Japan in 2019, each host country has left its mark on the tournament’s history. In this article, we’ll take a journey through the years and take a look at the countries that have had the honor of hosting the Rugby World Cup. From the early days of the tournament to the present day, we’ll explore the host nations. So, Let’s dive into the history of the Rugby World Cup hosts.


List of Rugby World Cup Hosts (1987-2031)
Have a look at the list of Rugby World Cup hosts. The list includes hosts from the past (1987) to future events till 2031.
Tournament | Matches | Matches hosted by nation |
1987 | 32 |
|
1991 | 32 |
|
1995 | 32 | South Africa |
1999 | 41 |
|
2003 | 48 | Australia |
2007 | 48 |
|
2011 | 48 | New Zealand |
2015 | 48 |
|
2019 | 45 | Japan |
2023 | TBD | France |
2027 | TBD | Australia |
2031 | TBD | United States |
Rugby World Cup Hosts: A Journey Through the Years
1987: The Inaugural Rugby World Cup
The first-ever Rugby World Cup was held in 1987 and co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia. 32 teams participated in the tournament, which was a huge success and solidified the tournament as a major international event. The tournament featured some of the biggest names in rugby, including the All Blacks, the Wallabies, and the Springboks.
The opening match of the tournament was held at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, and was played between the All Blacks and Italy. The All Blacks went on to win the match comfortably by a score of 49-6. Throughout the tournament, the All Blacks were the dominant team, winning all of their matches and ultimately claiming the first-ever Rugby World Cup title with a 29-9 victory over France in the final.
The tournament was also a huge success for the host nations, with large crowds turning out to watch the matches and an electric atmosphere throughout the tournament. The 1987 Rugby World Cup was a pivotal moment in the history of the sport, as it firmly established the tournament as a major international event and set the stage for the future of the Rugby World Cup.
1991: The Second Rugby World Cup in France, England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland
The second Rugby World Cup was held in 1991 and co-hosted by France, England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. 32 teams participated in the tournament, which took place in some of the most iconic stadiums in rugby. The tournament featured many of the top teams from around the world, including the All Blacks, the Wallabies, the Springboks and the home nations.
The opening match of the tournament was held at the Parc des Princes in Paris, France and was played between France and Argentina. The French team went on to win the match by a score of 23-21. The tournament featured some exciting matches, including a semi-final match between England and Scotland which England won 9-6. The final was held at Twickenham Stadium in London, England and was played between Australia and England. England won the match by a score of 12-6 and was crowned world champions for the first time.
1995: Third Rugby World Cup in South Africa
The third Rugby World Cup was held in South Africa in 1995, and 32 teams participated in the tournament, which was the first Rugby World Cup to be held in Africa. The tournament was a historic moment for South Africa as it marked the end of the country’s isolation from the international sport due to the apartheid era. The tournament featured many of the top teams from around the world, including the All Blacks, the Wallabies, the Springboks and the home nations.
The opening match of the tournament was held at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa and was played between South Africa and Australia. The South African team went on to win the match by a score of 27-18. The final was held at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, South Africa and was played between South Africa and New Zealand. South Africa won the match by a score of 15-12 and was crowned world champions for the first time.
1999: Fourth Rugby World Cup in Wales, England, France, Scotland and Ireland
The fourth Rugby World Cup was held in Wales, England, France, Scotland and Ireland in 1999, 41 teams participated in the tournament which was the first Rugby World Cup to feature more than 16 teams. The tournament featured many of the top teams from around the world, including the All Blacks, the Wallabies, the Springboks and the home nations.
The opening match of the tournament was held at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales and was played between Wales and Argentina. The Welsh team went on to win the match by a score of 24-18. The final was held at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales and was played between France and Australia. Australia won the match by a score of 35-12 and was crowned world champions for the second time.
2003: The Fifth Rugby World Cup in Australia
The fifth Rugby World Cup was held in Australia in 2003, 48 teams participated in the tournament which was the largest Rugby World Cup to date. The tournament featured many of the top teams from around the world, including the All Blacks, the Wallabies, the Springboks and the home nations.
The opening match of the tournament was held at Telstra Stadium in Sydney, Australia and was played between Australia and Argentina. The Wallabies went on to win the match by a score of 24-8. The final was held at the Telstra Stadium in Sydney, Australia and was played between England and Australia. The Wallabies won the match by a score of 20-17 and were crowned world champions for the second time.
2007: The Sixth Rugby World Cup in France, Wales, Scotland
The sixth Rugby World Cup was held in France, Wales and Scotland in 2007, 48 teams participated in the tournament. The tournament featured many of the top teams from around the world, including the All Blacks, the Wallabies, the Springboks and the home nations.
The opening match of the tournament was held at Stade de France in Paris, France and was played between France and Argentina. The French team went on to win the match by a score of 34-10. The final was held at the Stade de France in Paris, France and was played between South Africa and England. The Springboks won the match by a score of 15-6 and were crowned world champions for the second time.
2011: The Seventh Rugby World Cup in New Zealand
The seventh Rugby World Cup was held in New Zealand in 2011, 48 teams participated in the tournament. The tournament featured many of the top teams from around the world, including the All Blacks, the Wallabies, the Springboks and the home nations.
The opening match of the tournament was held at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand and was played between New Zealand and Tonga. The All Blacks went on to win the match by a score of 41-10. The final was held at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand and was played between France and New Zealand. The All Blacks won the match by a score of 8-7 and were crowned world champions for the second time.
2015: The Eighth Rugby World Cup in England and Wales
The eighth Rugby World Cup was held in England and Wales in 2015, 48 teams participated in the tournament. The tournament featured many of the top teams from around the world, including the All Blacks, the Wallabies, the Springboks and the home nations.
The opening match of the tournament was held at Twickenham Stadium in London, England and was played between England and Fiji. The England team went on to win the match by a score of 35-11. The final was held at Twickenham Stadium in London, England and was played between Australia and New Zealand. The All Blacks won the match by a score of 34-17 and were crowned world champions for the third time.
2019: The Ninth Rugby World Cup in Japan
The ninth Rugby World Cup was held in Japan in 2019, 45 teams participated in the tournament. It was the first time the Rugby World Cup was held in Asia, and it featured many of the top teams from around the world, including the All Blacks, the Wallabies, the Springboks and the home nations.
The opening match of the tournament was held at Tokyo Stadium in Tokyo, Japan and was played between Japan and Russia. The Brave Blossoms went on to win the match by a score of 30-10. The final was held at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama, Japan.
2023: The Tenth Rugby World Cup in France
The tenth Rugby World Cup is set to be held in France in 2023, the number of teams that will participate in the tournament is yet to be determined (TBD). The tournament will feature many of the top teams from around the world, including the All Blacks, the Wallabies, the Springboks, and the home nations.
The host nation, France, has a rich rugby history, with many top-class players and teams hailing from the country. The French team has always been a formidable opponent, known for their flair and passion on the field. The tournament will take place in some of the most iconic stadiums in France, providing a fitting stage for the world’s best teams to compete for the ultimate prize in rugby.
2027: The Eleventh Rugby World Cup in Australia
The eleventh Rugby World Cup is set to be held in Australia in 2027, the number of teams that will participate in the tournament is yet to be determined (TBD). The tournament will feature many of the top teams from around the world, including the All Blacks, the Wallabies, the Springboks and the home nations.
Australia, the host nation, has a long and proud history in rugby, having won the tournament twice before. The tournament will take place in some of the most iconic stadiums in Australia, providing a fitting stage for the world’s best teams to compete for the ultimate prize in rugby.
2031: The Twelfth Rugby World Cup in the United States
The twelfth Rugby World Cup is set to be held in the United States in 2031, and the number of teams that will participate in the tournament is yet to be determined (TBD). The tournament will feature many of the top teams from around the world, including the All Blacks, the Wallabies, the Springboks, and the home nations.
The United States, the host nation, is a relatively new player in the world of rugby, but the sport is gaining popularity in the country. The tournament will take place in some of the most iconic stadiums in the United States, providing a fitting stage for the world’s best teams to compete for the ultimate prize in rugby. This would be a great opportunity to promote rugby in the US and help to grow the sport in the country.
Source: Wikipedia