Rugby World Cup 2021 – Latest Record-breaking Data

The organisers of the Rugby World Cup 2021 and World Rugby say the tournament has been “reaching new heights with fans” and the event has seen record numbers attend matches based on the latest data.

With the RWC 2021 entering the quarterfinal knockout phase this weekend (29-30th October 2022), data has been released on attendance figures, fan engagement and other statistics released by World Rugby.

World Rugby Director of Women’s Rugby Sally Horrox said: “There is something special happening in New Zealand. Not only are we seeing these huge personalities take centre stage, new stars shine and the conversation expand beyond the sports pages, but the rugby has also been fantastic.

Diminishing winning margins, positive intent, breath-taking attacking play, quicker scrums and lineouts and fewer stoppages – it’s an attractive and compelling event that will undoubtedly broaden the appeal of the sport as a whole.”

Photo by Hagen Hopkins – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images

Rugby World Cup 2021 Match Data

• Competitive rugby matches: The average winning margins across the pool phase have reduced from 37 points in 2017 to 26 at RWC 2021. The number of matches won by less than 10 points has increased from two in 2017 to six in this tournament.
• Kicking success: The penalty goal-kicking success rate has increased from 2017 by 18 per cent to 78 per cent accuracy in RWC 2021.
• Ball in play: Ball in playtime is above the average men’s test match- an average of 35 minutes and 30 seconds.

RWC 2021 Fan and Media Engagement Data

• RWC 2021 Broadcast: On the opening weekend at RWC 2021, Australia v New Zealand match attracted an average audience of 600k – five times the NZ audience for RWC 2017 Final (NZ V ENG). The France v England on match day two attracted an average audience of 1.4 million viewers from France and the UK.
• Digital platforms: In the first match weekend alone, RWC 2021 achieved more than 50 per cent of the total activity on digital for the entire RWC 2017 (users, pageviews, video views, and engagements all above 50 per cent). In addition, audiences have a stronger female presence than it was in 2017 – moving from 30 per cent of users in 2017 to almost 40 per cent.
• Pool stage attendance: Attendances have increased significantly from RWC 2017, rising from 17,516 in Ireland to 66,367 who have attended RWC 2021 so far.

Rugby World Cup News

• Japan vs Italy RWC 2021 Match Review.
• Japan vs Canada – RWC 2021 Match Review.
• Japan vs USA – RWC 2021 Match Review
• HKRU Men’s XV Squad Announced – RWC 2023 Final Qualification Tournament.