World Rugby and hosts New Zealand Rugby have announced the match schedule for Rugby World Cup 2021, playing in 2022
The schedule supports the ambition of an accessible event that will set new attendance and fan-engagement records, taking the sport to new audiences worldwide when it kicks off on 8 October 2022.
The match schedule will deliver more for fans than ever before with all matches taking place across bumper weekends of action, resulting in no overlapping of matches and maximising opportunities to attend the first event to be hosted in Oceania.
The tantalising match schedule has also been optimised for broadcast audiences worldwide, meaning fans will not miss a moment from a feast of weekend action.
The pool phase will be played on the weekends of 8-9, 15-16 and 22-23 October, 2022 at Eden Park and Waitakere Stadium in Auckland and Northlands Events Centre in Whangārei.
The opening matchday on Saturday, 8 October will be held in the iconic Eden Park with South Africa versus France confirmed as the new tournament opener at 14:15 NZT, followed by the other Pool C match, England versus Fiji, who are set to make their Rugby World Cup debut at 16:45 NZT.
All eyes will then be on hosts and reigning champions New Zealand when they take on Australia at 19:15 NZT in primetime evening position, with organisers hoping to set a new attendance record.
The following day will be hosted at Northlands Events Centre in Whangārei and will see USA taking on the Europe 1 qualifier at 12:45 local time, followed by Canada versus the Asia 1 qualifier at 15:15 NZT with the day closed out as Wales face the Final Qualification Tournament winner at 17:45 NZT.
With France set to take on England on match-day three at 20:00 NZT at Northlands Events Centre in Whangārei and USA billed to face Canada on match-day six at 15:15 NZT at Waitakere Stadium, the match schedule offers an array of mouth-watering fixtures throughout the pool phase.
