Global ticketing giant Ticketmaster has officially been named the ticketing service provider for the upcoming Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 and Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029, both set to be hosted by Australia. The announcement was made by World Rugby on March 6, 2025, and marks the continuation of Ticketmaster's prominent role within global sports events.
Gavin Taylor, managing director of Ticketmaster Australia, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “as a leader in ticketing world-class sporting events, the teams at Ticketmaster look forward to delivering a seamless experience for Rugby fans across the globe who will make their way to Australia.” This partnership is seen as pivotal as Australia prepares for what is anticipated to be a golden decade of rugby.
The Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 will feature 24 teams competing over 52 matches, spanning seven Australian host cities. Match dates are scheduled between October 1 and November 13, 2027. This tournament will introduce a new format, which includes not just the traditional pool rounds but also a last-16 knockout stage—a change aimed at heightening the excitement of the competition.
Meanwhile, the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029 will be historic as it marks the first time this tournament is held on Australian soil. Although specific dates for the event have yet to be announced, it is expected to build on the momentum created by the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, which is currently set to take place across eight English cities, starting August 22 and culminating with the final at Twickenham on September 27. This tournament has already made headlines, achieving record-breaking ticket sales six months before its opening.
Alan Gilpin, chief executive of World Rugby, also shared his insights during the announcement, noting, “the collaboration [with Ticketmaster] has proven to be particularly successful in making Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025 the most sought-after women’s sporting ticket of the year, and the biggest women’s rugby event ever.”
The agreement between Ticketmaster and World Rugby not only enhances Ticketmaster's standing within rugby ticketing but also reflects the ambition to break records and engage more fans than ever before. With expectations running high, preparations for both tournaments are well underway, and fans are encouraged to stay updated on ticket availability by visiting rugbyworldcup.com/2027 for the Men’s Rugby World Cup and seeking information for the Women’s Rugby World Cup Australia 2029, which will be released soon.
Beyond its role with World Rugby, Ticketmaster has also partnered with Fanatics, aiming to combine their efforts to boost ticketing experiences for sports fans. This collaboration will see the launch of the Fanatics Ticket Marketplace, where users of the Fanatics app will have the ability to purchase resale tickets alongside apparel, merchandise, trading cards, and collectibles all under one roof.
Tuck Kain, Fanatics’ chief strategy and growth officer, emphasized the strategic importance of their relationship with Ticketmaster, stating, “When you look at the market position Ticketmaster has built, we wanted to make sure we had as broad and comprehensive an offering as we could.” This partnership signifies not only the importance of unionizing different aspects of sports fandom but also the effort to create a ‘one-stop-shop’ for sports enthusiasts.
With these developments, both the upcoming Rugby World Cups and Ticketmaster's expanded portfolio reflect the growing commitment to enhancing the spectator experience across global sports. The excitement continues to build as Australia prepares to welcome the world to its shores for these landmark events.