The Rugby Club World Cup is set to make its debut in 2028, featuring the top club sides from both the northern and southern hemispheres. The tournament will include eight teams from the European Rugby Champions Cup, six Super Rugby teams, and two additional teams likely from Japan.
According to sources close to ESPN, the introduction of the Club World Cup is expected to have a significant impact on the global rugby calendar. It will change the structure of the Champions Cup by having the top eight teams qualifying for the tournament while the remaining eight teams will compete in the Challenge Cup.
The Club World Cup is scheduled to take place in June, meaning that all major competitions such as English Premiership, French Top 14, United Rugby Championship, and Super Rugby competitions need to be completed before it begins. This will pave way for the mid-year international window in July.
With a projected start date of 2028, this new competition will be held in years following the Rugby World Cup and between British and Irish Lions tours which take place every four years. The quality of competition can be further exemplified by La Rochelle’s win in European Champions Cup in 2023.
Overall, this new tournament promises to bring together some of the best rugby talent from around
