 The tournament has been hosted by multiple nations . For example , the 1987 tournament was co @-@ hosted by Australia and New Zealand . World Rugby requires that the hosts must have a venue with a capacity of at least 60 @,@ 000 spectators for the final . Host nations sometimes construct or upgrade stadia in preparation for the World Cup , such as Millennium Stadium – purpose built for the 1999 tournament – and Eden Park , upgraded for 2011 . The first country outside of the traditional rugby nations of SANZAR or the Six Nations to be awarded the hosting rights was Japan , who will host the 2019 tournament . 
