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World Rugby has announced the biggest overhaul of international rugby since the game went professional. The changes include expanding the Rugby World Cup to 24 teams in 2027 and introducing a bi-annual Nations Championship starting in 2026. The Nations Championship will feature two divisions and will be played in the summer and autumn test windows, culminating in a grand final to determine the overall winner. There is currently no system for promotion and relegation between the divisions. World Rugby is also planning to launch an expanded Pacific Nations Cup in 2024, separate from the Nations Championship. The Rugby World Cup 2027 draw will be held in January 2026, and the tournament will consist of six pools of four teams.
The Six Nations and Rugby Championship unions will commercially control the new Nations Championship, leaving World Rugby to fund the second division who as yet have no idea of any agreed programme to increase matches against top tier nations. The old boys network remains. #rugby
It has been dubbed a "quantum leap forward" for rugby. So what does a new global calendar, Nations Championship and 24-team men's World Cup all mean, and how will they work? https://t.co/nIqYnzoi1J
A historic day for global rugby 👏 World Rugby has announced the expansion of the 2027 Rugby World Cup and the establishment of a new global rugby calendar allowing for new global competitions and greater competitiveness across the rugby landscape! #WorldRugby https://t.co/DewuJiWShA
A historic day for global rugby 👏 World Rugby has announced the expansion of the 2027 Rugby World Cup and the establishment of a new global rugby calendar allowing for new global competitions and greater competitiveness across the rugby landscape! #WorldRugby https://t.co/XVFj6kANOj
Plenty going on at the World Rugby council vote overnight with a new nations Championship confirmed and the expansion of the 2027 World Cup‼ https://t.co/cHP0y3MJ7b
World Rugby’s global calendar overhaul labelled ‘stitch-up’ by smaller nations https://t.co/vY2gsVNPGz
Plenty going on at the World Rugby council vote overnight with a new nations Championship confirmed and the expansion of the 2024 World Cup‼ https://t.co/cHP0y3MJ7b
Alan Gilpin explains why World Rugby will hold the Rugby World Cup 2027 draw in January 2026 and what format will be used to accommodate the increase from 20 to 24 teams. #RWC2027 #Rugby https://t.co/krB3nOzAW3
🗣️ “If we are to become a truly global sport, we must create greater relevance, opportunity and competitiveness.” 🏆 Rugby World Cup 2027 expansion and kick-off dates confirmed. https://t.co/xmQYcaAHR9 https://t.co/xmQYcaAHR9
World Rugby announces 'historic' new competition from 2026 https://t.co/QrMaVXrYZe
Been confirmed that the 2027 Rugby World Cup draw will take place in January 2026.
World Rugby details on the expanded Pacific Nations Cup launching in 2024. Will be played in the southern hemisphere release window of August and September, so separate from the new Nations Championship. World Rugby says it is providing "significant investment". https://t.co/QVe05y9EtL
🗣️ “Agreement on the global calendars and their content is the most significant development in the sport since the game went professional.” 🌎 World Rugby confirm ‘historic’ new global tournament and World Cup expansion. https://t.co/rw48mjNrjr https://t.co/rw48mjNrjr
The 2027 men’s Rugby World Cup will feature 24 teams spread out across six pools of four. #WorldRugby #RWC2027 https://t.co/9P2CuXUc92
World Rugby has officially announced the biggest overhaul of international rugby since the game went professional, expanding the World Cup and introducing the bi-annual Nations Championship. https://t.co/yv8BBssSqV
🏆 Rugby World Cup 2027 will have 24 teams... 🇦🇺 6 pools of 4 teams with a new knockout round for Australia 2027! Full details ➡️ https://t.co/Bjin02k5eZ https://t.co/B6CgJYnXbM
World Rugby has announced a new men's international competition starting in 2026. It's a part of a "significant overhaul" of the calendar ⤵️ #BBCRugby
Rugby World Cup format from 2027: - Expanded to 24 teams - Round of 16 introduced. Top two teams from each pool, along with the best four 3rd-placed teams. - Reduced 6-week [7-weekend] window. Pool phase reduced from 4 to 5 weeks. - Pool draw "as late as possible."
🌍 BREAKING: World Rugby confirm a new global calendar to align the club and international game from 2026. This will include a new global competition involving the Six Nations, the Rugby Championship and two additional nations. It is expected the other nations are Japan & Fiji.
🌍 BREAKING: World Rugby have confirmed the expansion of the Rugby World Cup to 24 teams in 2027. Brilliant to see them being proactive on this rather than waiting to 2031.
The men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia will feature 24 teams after the World Rugby Council approved historic reimagination of the competition format, window and timing. https://t.co/H42rcciWuj
World Rugby has officially announced the expansion of the Rugby World Cup to include 24 teams in 2027. Additionally, World Rugby has confirmed the introduction of a new bi-annual Nations Championship set to debut in 2026. This championship will consist of two divisions, each… https://t.co/koOHjzkuD4
World Rugby have ratified the concept of a biennial Nations Championship, triggering the most radical change to the structure of the sport since it went professional in 1995 Read the full story here ⬇️ https://t.co/ARxcynj9O3
BREAKING: World Rugby has announced a new competition starting in 2026 as part of an overhaul of the men's international calendar 📅 🏉 https://t.co/XeYe3XhICc
World Rugby have confirmed some major changes to the men’s and women’s international rugby calendars. #WorldRugby #RWC2023 https://t.co/KOB5IXKoMK
World Rugby has confirmed the expansion of the Rugby World Cup to 24 teams in 2027. World Rugby also confirms new bi-annual Nations Championship launching in 2026. Two divisions of 12 teams, promotion/relegation commencing from 2030.
World Rugby have approved a new international competition following a ballot of members. The countries involved will play one off fixtures in the summer & autumn test windows with a grand final to decide the overall winner. There is currently no system for promotion &… https://t.co/15rUYuA0l9 https://t.co/1mvMwwjJii
🌎 BREAKING: World Rugby have approved a new Nations Championship tournament starting in 2026. It will be the Six Nations & Rugby Championship teams + Japan & Fiji in the top division with the 13th - 24th ranked teams playing in a second tier competition. Understood that there… https://t.co/GSq7xe2TUf
Nations Championship ratified by World Rugby this morning, but only just. Story for @MailSport here by @FoyChris. Hugely significant for the game. https://t.co/4CnUuYy26W
Breaking: Nations Championship has been approved at a World Rugby council vote in Paris this morning - story shortly on @MailSport …