Hong Kong will play the hosts, Australia, in the opening match of the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027. The game will be played on 1 October 2027 in Perth. The tournament will run from 1 October to 13 November 2027 across seven Australian host cities. It will be Hong Kong’s first appearance at the men’s Rugby World Cup.
It will be Hong Kong’s first appearance at the men’s Rugby World Cup. Hong Kong China will become the 27th nation to play in a Men’s Rugby World Cup, and the team is currently ranked 23rd in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings.
The 2027 event will be the first men’s Rugby World Cup to feature 24 teams and 52 matches. A new round of 16 will also be added to the knockout stage, creating an extra step between the pool phase and the quarter-finals.
Matches will be staged in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney and Townsville, while the final will be played on 13 November 2027 at Stadium Australia.
Hong Kong earned its place by winning the 2025 Asia Rugby Championship and the team sealed qualification with a 70–22 win over South Korea in the final round, securing Asia’s direct spot for the tournament.
In other news, Hong Kong rugby fans will also get a warm-up this April with the Hong Kong Sevens. The tournament will mark its 50th edition in the city from 17 to 19 April at Kai Tak Stadium, with three days of action, entertainment and international teams.
Header Image Credit: HK Rugby & Rugby World Cup