World Rugby

https://www.world.rugby/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/world-rugby/

World Rugby, a privately owned entity headquartered in Ireland, operates as a tier 1 media tech buyer. Founded in 1886, the organization has approximately 450 employees and reported $46.1M in revenue as of 2024. Primarily involved in spectator sports, the company functions as the world governing and law making body for the game of rugby union.

2024 Revenue

Founded

1886

Headcount

445

Headquarters

Ireland

Primary Segment

Spectator Sports

Ownership

Privately Owned

News Summary:

Rugby union's commercial landscape has expanded significantly, moving beyond stadium ticket sales to generate substantial revenue from international TV deals, streaming platforms, digital subscriptions, and global brand sponsorships, as of March 12, 2026. This follows news from March 8, 2026, that Uganda is preparing a formal bid to host the HSBC SVNS 3 tournament, building on the success of similar international rugby events in East Africa after the latest event was held in Dubai in January. Earlier in March, former Irish referee boss Owen Doyle confirmed that World Rugby's "Shape of the Game" summit resulted in no law changes, though he noted concern over one global trial and predicted future discussions around substitutions. Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus, who attended the summit, called the in-person discussions "invaluable" and reported alignment on key aspects ahead of the 2027 World Cup. Concurrently, on March 3, 2026, SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer indicated that South Africa is unlikely to host another Rugby World Cup.

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World Rugby offers 17 products in the sports and media and telecoms services industries. World Rugby's product portfolio comprises of media and TV services, sports tickets, merchandise and sponsorship and contact sports.

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World Rugby's revenues were less than $100M in 2024. Caretta Research has split World Rugby's revenue into 5 different product categories, the largest of which is rugby Union. For full access to World Rugby's revenue breakdown subscribe to Caretta Portal.

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Mar

19th

2026

06:28

B2B Tag

Rugby World Cup: Hosts Locked In for the Next Four Tournaments

World Rugby have confirmed the locations for the next FOUR Rugby World Cups as it accelerates global development and growth. Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.

Ruck UK

Mar

18th

2026

19:01

B2B Tag

Argentina to lead South America bid for Rugby World Cup

Argentina will bid to stage the 2035 World Cup as part of a wider South American tournament that will also include Brazil, Chile and Uruguay. World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin is visiting the home of the Pumas to assess their feasibility as hosts for the event that will take place after Australia host the 2027 tournament and USA the 2031 RWC.

Australian Rugby

Mar

18th

2026

18:30

B2B Tag

Argentina to bid for 2035 Rugby World Cup as part of South American tournament

Argentina will bid to stage the 2035 World Cup as part of a wider South American tournament that will also include Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay. World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin is visiting the home of the Pumas to assess their feasibility as hosts for the event that will take place after Australia 2027 and USA 2031.

Breakingnews.ie

Mar

18th

2026

10:39

Events, B2B Tag

Argentina join up with Brazil, Chile and Uruguay in bid to host 2035 Rugby World Cup

Irish Independent

Mar

18th

2026

08:55

Capital Investment, B2B Tag

Americas 'Six Nations' to make a comeback after seven year hiatus

The Americas Rugby Championship is set to return this October after a seven-year hiatus, with Paraguay hosting the tournament. Join RUCK’s Instagram broadcast channel and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone. The competition will feature the main teams of Paraguay and Brazil, while Argentina, Uruguay, the United States, and Chile will field their second squads.

Ruck UK

Mar

12th

2026

10:45

B2B Tag

Rugby’s global expansion and commercial growth

Rugby union has grown from a sport popular in only a few countries into a global business. In the past, most competitions earned money mainly from ticket sales at stadiums. Today, they also make large amounts of revenue from international TV deals, streaming platforms, digital subscriptions and sponsorships from global brands.

The Rugby Paper

Mar

8th

2026

09:35

Events, B2B Tag

Uganda prepare bid to host HSBC SVNS 3

Uganda is preparing a formal bid to host the HSBC SVNS 3 tournament, buoyed by the success of similar international rugby events staged in East Africa in recent years. Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news The move comes after the latest SVNS 3 event was held in Dubai from Saturday, 17 to Sunday, 18 January, with Uganda now hoping to position itself as the next host of the competition.

Mozzart Sport Kenya

Mar

3rd

2026

14:26

B2B Tag

Bomb Squads' legality didn't 'merit discussion' at World Rugby summit but it will be raised

Ex-Irish referee boss Owen Doyle is pleased that no law changes have occurred following World Rugby’s Shape of the Game summit. However, he believes that one global trial ‘remains a concern’ and predicts that debate around the substitutions will be re-raised at future meetings.

PlanetRugby

Mar

3rd

2026

03:33

Events, B2B Tag

Rassie hails 'invaluable' World Rugby Summit as rules set to remain unchanged

"I'm very happy that we went," Erasmus said after attending the summit in London last week. "You can get out of touch with world rugby if it's only virtual calls and emails. You want to look a guy in the eye, and that happened over the last couple of days." Importantly, Erasmus believes there is alignment on key aspects of the game heading towards the 2027 World Cup.

SABC Sport

Mar

3rd

2026

02:40

B2B Tag

South Africa not likely to host another Rugby World Cup: Rian Oberholzer

RUGBY NEWS - If any South Africans still harboured hopes of another Rugby World Cup one day being hosted in the country, those were effectively extinguished by SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer at a Springbok media day on Monday.

Mossel Bay Advertiser

Mar

3rd

2026

01:38

B2B Tag

RWC hosting blow for South Africa, New Zealand

Rugby Union's two most successful ‌countries have little hope of hosting a World Cup for the foreseeable future, according to South Africa Rugby chief executive officer Rian ‌Oberholzer. South Africa have won four and New Zealand three of the 10 World Cups since the first in 1987, ‌but neither country is in line to host a future tournament with the next finals set for Australia next year and the United States in 2031.

Australian Rugby

Mar

2nd

2026

18:30

B2B Tag

Rassie hails 'invaluable' World Rugby Summit as rules set to remain unchanged

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus called World Rugby’s recent Shape of the Game summit 'invaluable' and confirmed rugby’s core rules will stay unchanged ahead of the 2027 World Cup. "I'm very happy that we went," Erasmus said after attending the summit in London last week.

BokSquad

Examples of World Rugby's suppliers include Hawk-Eye Innovations, Lawo and Endeavor Streaming.

Example Suppliers

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World Rugby sells broadcasting rights of its 13 rugby Union and rugby League competitions to 68 companies globally, covering 19 countries. World Rugby's rights holders include Telefonica. World Rugby currently holds 7 broadcasting rights for sports competitions including rugby league and rugby union.

Analysis

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Analysis

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World Rugby

2024 Revenue

Founded

Headcount

Headquarters

Primary Segment

Ownership

News Summary:

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