World Rugby to Measure Fan Heart-Rates
World Rugby will track heart-rates of some supporters during the November 2026 Nations Championship tests.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Other Sports
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World Rugby will measure heart-rates of some fans in stadiums and at home during the November 2026 Nations Championship tests. The move follows earlier research that used a 2022 England versus New Zealand match, which ended 25-25.
Why it matters
The measurements are intended to show how supporters respond to key moments such as the haka, interceptions and line breaks, and to TMO interventions. The data comes as the top nations move to share commercial rights and revenue collectively.
Earlier research on a 25-25 England versus New Zealand draw from November 2022 recorded heart-rate spikes during the haka, interceptions and line breaks, and engagement drops during TMO interventions. The number of fans to be measured in the 2026 tests has not been specified.
The players
World Rugby
World Rugby is the international governing body of rugby union, responsible for the laws of the game and global competitions.
Mark Robinson
Mark Robinson is a former New Zealand Rugby official who was appointed to a World Rugby role in January 2026 after resigning from NZ Rugby in mid-2025.
The details
Mark Robinson, in his role as World Rugby chief of rugby, will oversee the heart-rate measurements. The new TMO mantra is "When in doubt, stay out," and a new hip-drop tackle law took effect on 1 November 2026.
Timeline
November 2022: England and New Zealand drew 25-25 in the match used for earlier heart-rate research.
January 2026: Mark Robinson was announced in his World Rugby role.
November 2026: Heart-rates of some fans will be measured during Nations Championship tests.
1 November 2026: The hip-drop tackle law took effect.
Season Trajectory
The measurements extend earlier research on the 2022 England versus New Zealand match, which recorded supporter heart-rate spikes and engagement drops around specific game moments. The move comes as the top rugby nations agree to sell media rights and commercial deals collectively, a shift expected to affect sponsorship from 2028.
Fans attending or watching the November 2026 Nations Championship tests may have their heart-rates measured. The new hip-drop tackle law took effect on 1 November 2026, which changes how tackles are judged during matches.
The takeaway
Fan engagement data may increasingly shape how rugby is officiated and marketed. Supporters watching key moments can expect the sport to track their reactions more closely.
What happens next
Heart-rate measurements of fans are scheduled for the November 2026 Nations Championship tests.
Further reading
Explore more in Other Sports.
Source note: This article includes information reported by RNZ.
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