Rugby World Cup 2021 draw date confirmed

World Rugby, and hosts New Zealand Rugby (NZR), have confirmed the Rugby World Cup 2021 draw date is Friday, 20 November 2020, and it will take place in Auckland, New Zealand.

The draw for the global rugby tournament will be held at the SkyCity Theatre and will be streamed live for rugby fans worldwide via World Rugby’s digital channels said World Rugby. The women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 kicks off on September 18th 2021 at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand.

World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “The Rugby World Cup 2021 draw marks an important milestone for teams and fans alike as momentum truly starts to build towards the most important international rugby tournament of 2021.”

The ninth edition of the tournament will run until 16 October 2021 and be held across three match venues; Auckland, Northland and Waitakere were confirmed to host games in New Zealand. Eden Park, which also hosted the men’s RWC final in 2011, has been confirmed as the venue for the World Cup 2021, semi-finals and final.

The RWC 2021 team bands are:

Band 1 – New Zealand, England, Canada
Band 2 – France, Australia, USA
Band 3 – Wales, Europe 1, South Africa
Band 4 – Asia 1, Fiji, Final Qualifier winner

The Rugby World Cup is at stake in 2021

RWC 2021 match schedule

The Rugby World Cup 2021 has previously confirmed the dates for the pool games and knockout stages for the RWC. The first pool games kick off 1-month before the final takes place.

• Round 1 Pool matches: 18 September 2021, Waitakere Stadium and Northland Events centre
• Round 2 Pool matches: 23 September 2021, Waitakere Stadium and Northland Events centre
• Round 3 Pool matches: 28 September 2021, Waitakere Stadium and Northland Events centre
• Quarter-finals: 3 October 2021, Waitakere Stadium and Northland Events centre
• Semi-finals: 9 October 2021, Eden Park (Auckland)
• Bronze match + Final: 16 October 2021, Eden Park (Auckland)

RWC 2021 Qualification

Rugby World Cup 2021 Tournament Director Michelle Hooper said: “The official draw is another step on the journey towards kick-off, and the buzz is building. We can’t wait to welcome all 12 teams to Aotearoa New Zealand and showcase our manaakitanga to the world. The draw will determine who will play the first matches at Eden Park and Northland Events Centre which is an exciting prospect.”

Of the 12 teams set to be involved, nine are already confirmed. The Asian RWC 2021 qualifiers are still to be determined.

Seven teams have already qualified directly for RWC 2021 courtesy of a top-seven finish at the last tournament in Ireland in 2017.  In addition, Fiji and South Africa confirmed their places through the regional qualification process in 2019.

• New Zealand
• England
• France
• USA
• Canada
• Australia
• Wales
• Fiji
• South Africa

The remaining three places will be filled by a qualifier from:

• Asia (between Japan, Hong Kong and Kazakhstan)
• Europe
• Winner of the Final Qualification Tournament

World Rugby rankings – Asian RWC 2021 hopefuls

• Japan (12)
• Kazakhstan (14)
• Hong Kong (19)

Source: World Rugby

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