Once every four years, the best rugby-playing nations from across the globe collide in the Rugby World Cup. The next edition is set for Australia in 2027, running from October 1 to November 13. This marks Australia's first solo hosting since 2003.
Although we’re still about two years away from kickoff, betting markets are already active and odds will continue to fluctuate as the tournament approaches. The tournament represents a significant event for sports betting enthusiasts.
While we wait for the tournament to roll around, we’ve created this rugby World Cup betting guide. This covers all the big topics you need to know - top betting sites, how to find the best rugby World Cup odds, and tips to win your bets.
The 2027 tournament expands to 24 teams from the previous 20-team format. This expansion introduces the Round of 16 knockout stage for the first time in Rugby World Cup history.
Top Contenders and Betting Odds
Current betting odds reflect team performance history and recent form. The traditional rugby powers currently lead the market. These odds will change based on team performance in international competitions before 2027. South Africa will be looking to capture its third straight championship and is listed as a +300 betting choice (Bet $100 to win $300) to repeat. The favorite is New Zealand, who was the 2023 runner-up, at +250 betting odds.
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Listed below are the futures odds at bet365 to win the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
2027 Rugby World Cup Format Explained!
Here's a look at some of the top contenders and their current odds:
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | +250 |
| South Africa | +300 |
| France | +550 |
| Ireland | +550 |
| Australia | +650 |
| England | +800 |
| Argentina | +2800 |
| Fiji | +3300 |
| Scotland | +3300 |
| Wales | +3300 |
Odds Provided by bet365 - Subject to Change.
Team Analysis
- New Zealand: The All Blacks consistently rank among tournament favorites. New Zealand lost the 2023 final to South Africa. Their system continues to produce elite rugby talent.
- South Africa: The Springboks enter as two-time defending champions. South Africa won in 2019 and 2023. Their approach emphasizes physical dominance and tactical precision.
- France: France has evolved its approach to international rugby. Their system now balances traditional attacking play with defensive structure.
- Australia: The Wallabies benefit from hosting the tournament. Australia won in 1991 and 1999 and reached the final in 2003.
- Fiji: Fiji represents an emerging force in international rugby. Their players increasingly compete in elite professional leagues.
Finding the Best Rugby World Cup Betting Sites
So you want to do World Cup rugby betting, huh? Obviously, you’ll need an online sportsbook to handle your wagers. The problem is, there’s no shortage of rugby betting sites.
Well, that answer depends on what you’re looking for - huge betting selection? Sharp World Cup rugby odds? Lucrative sign-up bonus? As you can see, there’s a lot of factors at play.
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We’ve hand-picked a list of bookies that meet a lot of these criteria. Ultimately, it’s on you to pick the one that matches your needs most.
Recommended Sportsbooks
- BetDSI: First up is BetDSI, a sportsbook known for its wide-ranging menu of markets that span the globe. What truly sets BetDSI apart, however, is its “BetPoints” rewards program. For bettors planning to follow rugby consistently, this loyalty program can really pay off.
- BetOnline: The 2027 Rugby World Cup will be packed with betting opportunities. That’s where BetOnline comes in. With its expansive menu, BetOnline can easily serve as a one-stop shop for bettors.
- WagerWeb: In 2025, WagerWeb lets new customers choose between two standout bonus options. The Progressive Bonus rewards loyalty by increasing your cash bonus from 10% all the way up to 50% with each new deposit, capped at $500. Alternatively, you can grab 10-25% cash bonuses on deposits of $50 or more, complete with perks like a free 10th deposit and 1% cashback when selecting the 10% option. Beyond just the bonus, WagerWeb also backs rugby union betting year-round. That includes the Premiership, Six Nations Championship, and of course, the World Cup.
- Bovada: Bovada is another powerhouse in the online gambling industry. Among offshore sites, it may be the most-used bookmaker in North America. There’s an entire rugby union betting section at Bovada. Despite being years away, you’ll still find the latest odds on rugby World Cup 2027. These betting odds are offered at industry-leading prices, too. On many occasions, Bovada’s lines match up well with those offered by the Las Vegas casino giants.
Rugby World Cup Betting Markets
The Rugby World Cup offers various betting markets. Different options suit different betting strategies.
- Match Odds: This is the most basic type of rugby bet, and simply involves predicting the outcome of a match. You can bet on the home team to win, the away team to win, or the match to be drawn.
- Draw No Bet: This is a variation of the match odds market, and it means that your bet will be refunded if the match is drawn. This is a popular option for bettors who are not sure who will win the match, but they are confident that it will not be a draw.
- Double Chance: This market allows you to bet on two of the three possible outcomes of a match. For example, you could bet on the home team to win or draw, or the away team to win or draw.
- Correct Score: This market is more difficult to win, but it offers higher odds. You need to correctly predict the exact score of a match in order to win your bet.
- Over/Under: This market is based on the total number of points scored in a match. You can bet on whether the total number of points will be over or under a certain number.
- Handicap: This betting market gives one team an advantage (or handicap) in terms of points before the match starts. This is designed to make the odds more evenly matched.
- To Progress: This market is used in tournaments to bet on which teams will progress to the next stage or which teams will win the entire tournament.
- Outright Winner: This market involves selecting the tournament winner. Early bets typically offer higher potential returns.
- Pool Winner: Bettors select which team will top each pool. Pools contain four teams each.
- Half-Time/Full-Time: This market concerns the leading team at halftime and full-time.
- Winning Margin: Bettors predict the exact victory margin range.
Tips for Successful Rugby World Cup Betting
At the end of the day, every bettor gambles with the purpose of making money. Of course, bookmakers have the same exact goal, meaning somebody has to lose.
While these tips aren’t bullet-proof - nothing in gambling is - if you take them to heart, you’ll be better off than most casual bettors that have no betting system whatsoever. Picking bets at random is not how you outsmart bookies, believe us.
- Respect the Powerhouses: The Rugby World Cup has been contested ten times since its inception in 1987. Only five nations have ever lifted the William Webb Ellis Cup - South Africa (four titles), New Zealand (three), Australia (two), England (one), with South Africa winning the most recent edition in 2023. While we’re strong believers that “past performance doesn’t indicate future results”, we’d be foolish to underestimate these four powerhouses. At least in early World Cup rounds, if you bet against them, you better have a really good reason for it. Be particularly cognizant of South Africa, the reigning champions of the world, and New Zealand, the famous All Blacks team.
- Avoid Patriotism Bias: Sports naturally stir up emotion - and when national pride is on the line, that emotion can skyrocket. But pride can be dangerous when money is at stake. Patriotism often creates bias - favoring your own country or betting against a rival - which can cloud judgment and cause you to ignore the research and data that really matter. Since staying neutral about your favorite nation is tough (if not impossible), the best advice is simple: avoid betting on them altogether.
- Consider Home Advantage: Host nations often enjoy a boost in performance at the Rugby World Cup - a trend also seen in events like the FIFA World Cup. Looking ahead, Australia will stage the next men’s tournament in 2027, giving the Wallabies home advantage as they chase a first title since 1999. Australia has already lifted the Webb Ellis Cup twice and consistently reached the latter stages of the competition.
Tournament Format
The competition begins with 24 teams in six pools of four teams. Each team plays all other teams in their pool once. The top two teams from each pool advance to the knockout stage.
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The 2027 tournament introduces the Round of 16. This format change increases the number of knockout matches. Knockout rugby often features tighter contests than pool matches.
The tournament history shows clear patterns. Only four nations have won the trophy since 1987. Southern Hemisphere teams have won 8 of 10 tournaments. England remains the only Northern Hemisphere winner.
Historical Rugby World Cup Winners
Since the Rugby World Cup began in 1987, New Zealand and South Africa have won the most tournaments with four and three championships respectively. Australia is right behind them with two Rugby World Cup championships.
- 2023 - South Africa 12-11 over New Zealand
- 2019 - South Africa 32-12 over England
- 2015 - New Zealand 34-17 over Australia
- 2011 - New Zealand 8-7 over France
- 2007 - South Africa 15-6 over England
- 2003 - England 20-17 (AET) over Australia
- 1999 - Australia 35-12 over France
- 1995 - South Africa 15-12 over New Zealand
- 1991 - Australia 12-6 over England
- 1987 - New Zealand 29-9 over France (AET - Added Extra Time)
Successful Rugby World Cup betting requires data analysis, understanding of team structures, and recognition of tournament patterns.
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