Publication date: 19 Sep 2022

About the Rugby World Cup

The Rugby World Cup is an international tournament featuring the best men’s national rugby teams. The International Rugby League (IRL) is the governing body for the organization of tournaments and the development of the sport.  Twenty teams take part in the championship.

The Women’s Rugby World championship has been held every four years since the first Rugby World championship in England in 2000.

Official Rugby World Cup website

2023 Rugby World Cup

The 10th Rugby World Cup, the final of which will be held from 8 September to 21 October 2023 in France. This event will take place in 9 cities across the country: Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Villeneuve d’Ascq, Bordeaux, Saint-Étienne, Nice, Nantes and Toulouse.

There will be 20 teams taking part in the tournament.

History of the Rugby World Cup

The idea of conducting a major rugby competition was first mooted in 1947. Several decades passed from the idea to its realization before the first Rugby World championship took place in 1987. Until then, tournaments between national teams were held at a continental level. The first tournament, which took place in 1987, featured 16 teams. Team New Zealand became the first world champion, defeating France in the final by a score of 29:9. Since then, the World Cup has been held every four years. The Webb Ellis Cup is awarded to the winner of the tournament. The trophy is named after the founder of rugby (William Webb Ellis).

Previous Rugby World Cup results

2025 Rugby World Cup

Preliminary information suggests that the next Rugby World Cup will again be held in France. In January 2022, it was reported that France had won the bid to host the event. The championship is expected to take place in 40 French cities during October and November 2025.

Keep an eye on the dates for rugby tournaments and other events in our Sports Events Calendar.