Rugby World Cup Final: Date, Time, Results & How to Watch

Rugby World Cup finals have a way of crystallising everything the sport stands for — the physicality, the drama, the sheer scale of what 82,000 voices can sound like when a match hangs in the balance. These fixtures tend to linger in memory long after the final whistle, whether it is the 2023 men’s showdown in Paris or the 2025 women’s final at Twickenham. This guide walks through the key dates, viewing options, and what to know ahead of the next major final on the calendar.

2023 Final Date: 28 October 2023 ·
2023 Final Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis ·
Upcoming Women’s Final: England vs Canada, Allianz Stadium ·
Men’s Next Host: Australia 2027 ·
Official Site: rugbyworldcup.com

The table below summarises the most recent finals alongside the next confirmed date on the calendar.

What is the date of the rugby world cup final?

Rugby World Cup finals have been staged across several decades, with the men’s tournament running every four years since 1987 and the women’s edition following a similar cycle. The most recent men’s final took place on 28 October 2023 at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, while the 2025 women’s final arrived on 27 September 2025 at Twickenham Stadium (also known as Allianz Stadium) in London.

2023 Men’s Final

The 2023 Rugby World Cup final was contested on 28 October 2023 at Stade de France. South Africa emerged victorious, defeating New Zealand in a match that drew 82,457 spectators to the stadium near Paris. The Springboks’ victory secured their fourth Webb Ellis Cup, cementing their status as the tournament’s most successful nation.

2025 Women’s Final

England claimed their third Rugby World Cup title on 27 September 2025, defeating Canada 33–13 at Twickenham Stadium. The final kicked off at 16:00 BST (UTC+1) and was played before a sold-out crowd of 82,000 — a record for women’s rugby finals. Sadia Kabeya, England’s flanker, was named player of the match for her performance.

2027 Men’s Final

Australia is slated to host the next men’s Rugby World Cup in 2027. While exact dates remain pending official confirmation from World Rugby, the tournament is expected to follow the traditional late-year scheduling seen in recent editions.

What time is the women’s rugby world cup final?

Kickoff times for Rugby World Cup finals vary by host nation and broadcasting considerations. The 2025 women’s final provided a clear reference point: the match began at 16:00 BST (British Summer Time, UTC+1) on Saturday, 27 September 2025.

Match Schedule Details

The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup tournament ran from 22 August to 27 September 2025, spanning 32 matches across 16 competing nations. The final was the last of those 32 fixtures, following a knockout bracket that had narrowed the field to England and Canada.

Kickoff Time Confirmation

Kickoff times for future Rugby World Cup finals — including the 2027 men’s edition in Australia — will be confirmed through World Rugby’s official channels and the tournament website at rugbyworldcup.com. Broadcasters typically align their coverage schedules to these official times.

How to watch the rugby final on TV?

Broadcast coverage for Rugby World Cup finals splits across multiple channels, with rights held by different networks depending on your location. For UK viewers, major tournaments are typically shared between BBC and ITV for terrestrial coverage, while subscription services such as Sky Sports and TNT Sports hold exclusive rights to additional matches and deeper coverage.

TV Channels

Sky Sports has established itself as the primary home of rugby union in the United Kingdom, with TNT Sports providing supplementary coverage. For the 2025 women’s final, UK viewers could access coverage through these subscription platforms. The BBC and ITV have historically shared rights for major Rugby World Cup finals, though specific arrangements vary by tournament cycle.

Streaming Options

Streaming access has expanded significantly, with NOW TV offering day passes for Sky Sports content without a long-term contract. Premier Sports also holds rugby rights in some market segments, providing an alternative for viewers seeking comprehensive tournament coverage.

Step-by-Step Viewing Guide

To access Rugby World Cup coverage: check the broadcaster list for your region, verify whether your existing TV package includes the relevant channels, consider a streaming pass if you do not have cable access, and confirm kickoff times against your local timezone. The official site at rugbyworldcup.com typically publishes comprehensive broadcaster listings ahead of major matches.

What channel is showing live rugby today?

Finding live rugby on television requires knowing which broadcaster holds the rights in your region and checking their published schedules. Rugby union coverage in the United Kingdom is distributed across BBC, ITV, Sky Sports, and TNT Sports, with Premier Sports also carrying regular-season fixtures.

UK Broadcasters

BBC and ITV share terrestrial rights for Rugby World Cup tournaments, typically alternating coverage between finals and knockout matches. Sky Sports holds the deepest portfolio of rugby union rights, covering the Six Nations, Premiership Rugby, and international friendlies alongside World Cup tournaments.

Ireland Options

RTÉ has historically provided free-to-air coverage of major rugby tournaments in Ireland, with Vodafone Ireland cited as a commercial backer for RTÉ’s rugby output. The RTÉ website (rte.ie) publishes broadcast schedules for upcoming fixtures, and the RTÉ Player offers streaming access for those with Irish IP addresses.

Live Streams

Beyond traditional television, live streaming has become a standard viewing method. Sky Sports subscribers can stream via the Sky Go app, while NOW TV offers flexible passes for non-subscribers. International viewers may access coverage through their local rights holders’ streaming platforms.

Is RTE showing the women’s rugby world cup?

RTÉ has a track record of broadcasting Rugby World Cup tournaments, with Irish viewers historically able to access major finals through the national broadcaster. For the 2025 women’s final, RTÉ’s sports division provided coverage backed by Vodafone Ireland.

RTÉ Coverage Details

RTÉ’s rugby coverage is available through traditional broadcast (RTÉ One and RTÉ2) and via the RTÉ Player streaming service. The broadcaster has covered multiple Rugby World Cup tournaments, and its sports journalism arm (RTÉ Sport) regularly publishes match previews, results, and analysis on rte.ie.

Other Viewing Alternatives

For Irish viewers without RTÉ access, subscription services such as Sky Sports provide alternative coverage. VPN services can allow access to streaming platforms from other regions, though this may conflict with terms of service for some broadcasters.

The Rugby World Cup final is the sport’s most scrutinized stage — a single match where four years of work either crystallises into glory or dissolves into heartbreak. For fans planning to attend or tune in, the key is verifying broadcaster arrangements through official channels, since rights packages shift between tournament cycles. The 2025 women’s final set a new benchmark for attendance and engagement, suggesting the tournament’s next chapter in Australia 2027 will draw even greater global attention.