The long-discussed prospect of a truly global club rugby championship is beginning to move from theoretical conversations to tangible outlines. A potential Club Rugby World Cup, designed to pit the best teams from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres against each other, is reportedly on the drawing board for the end of the 2027-28 season.
Initial proposals sketch out a 16-team format. This would likely see participation from seven Super Rugby franchises, one representative from Japanese rugby, and eight clubs hailing from the Northern Hemisphere. The selection pathway for the Northern contingent is expected to be via the European Champions Cup, incorporating the South African teams now competing in the United Rugby Championship (URC).
However, despite the exciting premise, this ambitious project is far from a done deal. According to reports from **New Zealand Rugby**, significant aspects still require thorough consideration and negotiation. The initiative, while promising, remains firmly in a discussion phase.
**New Zealand Rugby** specifically highlights the need for detailed work on both the organizational and commercial facets of the tournament. It appears that while the concept of a global showdown is appealing, the complexities of scheduling, logistics, and, perhaps most crucially, splitting the financial pie are proving to be substantial sticking points. Getting everyone on the same page regarding the nuts and bolts of running such a massive event, and ensuring it makes commercial sense for all parties involved, requires considerably more groundwork.
It`s worth noting that the seven European rugby unions associated with EPCR have previously offered unanimous approval for the *principle* of hosting the first edition of this Club World Cup in 2028. While this signals positive intent from the Northern Hemisphere side, `approval in principle` is, of course, a different beast entirely from having final, binding agreements ironed out and signed off by all necessary stakeholders globally.
So, while the vision of the world`s premier club teams clashing on a global stage is becoming clearer, the road to the inaugural Club Rugby World Cup is still marked with hurdles. The framework is there, but the crucial details, particularly concerning the practicalities and profitability, are yet to be fully finalized, requiring cautious steps from key rugby nations like **New Zealand Rugby**.
