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Australian rugby celebrates as host cities for Rugby World Cup 2027 revealed

(L-R) Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh, World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson, World Rugby CEO, Alan Gilpin and Rugby World Cup Australia Managing Director Chris Stanley pose with the Webb Ellis Cup during a media opportunity as World Rugby announce the host cities for the 2027 Men's Rugby World Cup at The Theatre Bar on January 30, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh, Chair Daniel Herbert, and incumbent Wallabies captain Harry Wilson have reacted with overwhelming support and positivity after World Rugby’s confirmation of the host cities for the Men’s Rugby World Cup on Australian soil in 2027.

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It was announced on Thursday that the world’s best 24 men’s teams will compete across seven locations across Australia, concluding with the Rugby World Cup final in Sydney. This event will be a six-week festival of rugby from the 1st of October to the 13th of November, 2027.

Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth and Townsville will also host matches as this tournament marks the dawn of a new era for rugby. This will be the first time in Men’s RWC history that 24 teams compete, as opposed to as many as 16 nations.

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    Men’s RWC Australia 2027 Host Cities | RP

    The host cities for the Men’s RWC Australia 2027 have now officially been announced.

    Rugby fans out west will help get the World Cup underway with World Rugby announcing that the opening match will be played in Perth (Boorloo), as well as four additional pool fixtures and two round of 16 showdowns which will determine a couple of key quarter-final matchups.

    Newcastle (Awabakal-Worimi) and Townsville (Gurambilbarra) will host four pool matches each, while sports fans in South Australia will get to see five fixtures in Adelaide (Tarntanya) during the first phase of the tournament.

    Melbourne (Narrm) will stage nine matches across the tournament, which includes seven pool stage showdowns and two round of 16 eliminators. Also on the east coast, Brisbane (Meeanjin) is set to hold six pool matches, two round of 16 clashes, and two quarter-finals.

    But the big winner from this announcement is Sydney (Gadigal), which will host five pool stage matches and eight knockout fixtures. Two quarter-finals, two semi-finals, the bronze final and the RWC final will all be played in the Harbour City.

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    With the tournament expected to inject more than $2 billion into the Australian economy, Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh has spoken about how the positive impact of the tournament will be felt for many years ahead.

    “This Rugby World Cup is among the planet’s biggest sporting events and Australia is incredibly excited to welcome the world to the 2027 edition,” Waugh said in a statement.

    “Australia has a rich history of hosting major tournaments – indeed, we co-hosted the first ever rugby World Cup almost 40 years ago – and I have no doubt this event will captive and enthral the hundreds of thousands attending in-stadium and the hundreds of millions viewing around the world.

    “A Rugby World Cup presents a unique opportunity for our country. From the positive economic impacts, to the energising of the fanbase, to the inspiration provided to the next generation of players, RWC 2027 will leave a legacy that will be felt in Australia for many years to come.

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    “And as for the players, representing your country at a home World Cup is the absolute pinnacle. Taking the field for the final in 2003 was among the greatest honours of my career and I am delighted this generation of Wallabies will have the privilege of experiencing the emotion, excitement and joy of pulling on the gold jersey before our passionate fans at a World Cup in (their) own backyard.”

    After co-hosting the first-ever Rugby World Cup with New Zealand in 1987 and then hosting it outright in 2003, this will be the third time that the men’s tournament has been played on Australian soil.

    This is part of Australian rugby’s “golden decade” of events which also includes the British and Irish Lions Series this year, the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2029, and the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane.

    “Australia is renowned throughout the world for hosting outstanding global sporting events and I have no doubt the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 will live up to those lofty standards,” Rugby Australia Chair Daniel Hebert explained.

    “The opportunity for Australian rugby over the next few years with the British and Irish Lions visit, two World Cups and a home Olympics is truly extraordinary and one we are ready to build upon, with anticipated growth for grassroots and community rugby expected to reach unprecedented levels.

    “The standard of rugby around the world at the moment is at an all-time high and Australian audiences will be right behind the Wallabies in what promises to be a fast, entertaining tournament in 2027. We are also excited to host the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029 and wish the Wallaroos all the best for the 2025 edition in England.

    “Rugby Australia thanks World Rugby, state and federal government partners, our sponsors and fans for supporting our bid to host the 2027 World Cup.”

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    Incumbent Wallabies captain Harry Wilson admits the draw of playing at a home Rugby World Cup in two years’ time “is certainly in the back of our minds” as players continue to look ahead to this year’s blockbuster three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions.

    Australia showed signs of promise under coach Joe Schmidt in 2024, which included a promising run during their Spring Tour. The Wallabies snatched a thrilling 42-37 win over England at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium and also got the better of Warren Gatland’s Wales.

    While the Wallabies fell to both Scotland and Ireland to round out their first full campaign under coach Schmidt, the win over England in particular seemed to have a positive impact on rugby union Down Under – generating a genuine buzz ahead of big rugby events like RWC 2027.

    “It’s hard to put into words how significant a Rugby World Cup on home soil is, and to have the host cities confirmed brings another level of excitement and anticipation,” Wilson added.

    “I have vivid memories of being a young boy, living in country New South Wales with my family when Australia last held the tournament in 2003 and what that buzz was like for the local community.

    “As players the World Cup is certainly in the back of our minds, and we know the whole country will be right behind us in a little over two years’ time.”


    To be first in line for Rugby World Cup 2027 Australia tickets, register your interest here 

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    Comments

    5 Comments
    O
    OJohn 19 days ago

    All we need now is to get an Australian coach we can believe in, or a trio like Kiss, Larkham and MacKellar.

    We don't need yet another kiwi undermining us.

    C
    ClintP 19 days ago

    Let’s hope ticket prices aren’t as expensive as concerts have become, I’d like to attend as many matches as possible in Brisbane and maybe travel if ticket prices are within reach.

    S
    SteveD 19 days ago

    Well, if we're never going to be allowed another RWC in South Africa (and even if we were close to it, the Frogs would probably steal it again) Oz is a close second in our favour, where - apart from downpours in Brisbane or Perth! - at least it'll be reasonably dry weather, more suited to the kind of conditions the Boks - especially in their new 'running rugby' era - are used to, and they won't have to use the '7-1' (or even 8-0?) split to match the European - or NZ 'summer' - winter climate. Apart from some hopefully outstanding games - which might (a) make the Aussies understand that union is way better than boring (five tackles, kick) league, and also Aussie Rules and (b) prevent Robinson from using his position to mangle the rules to bring union way down to league level, although I doubt that'll stop him, I just hope it's an incredibly successful occasion that boosts our beloved game exponentially. Whether the Boks win or not, after two-in-a-row, I wouldn't be sorry if they lost to a better team in the final (or better teams in the earlier stages) as long as union continues its upward momentum and becomes the winter sport of choice for a huge amount of kids of all(!) genders. Bring it on!!

    B
    Bull Shark 19 days ago

    Let’s also not forget the large SA crowds in Aus. 12th province of the republic. Perthfontein. Brisbanespruit.

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    J
    JW 2 hours ago
    'He wants players to be able to play four positions': Former All Black critiques Robertson's strategy

    (sharing duties with one of our best ever in BB puts him firmly on that pedestal).

    First, in reply to your other post, Richie was only a 2 year AB when he signed after the 19’ WC, so he would be on nothing like what BB is. Instead of re-signing in 22’ for longer with NZR, he simply extended that deal that was likely a standard 300k AB retainer, getting little extra in place for the freedom of going to the market for 24’ onwards.


    All that link was for was to show that he would have been in talks while ‘sharing’ 10 duties, as apposed to where is commonly though, like in Spew’s arguments, both after he claimed the starting jersey at Cape Town, and when it was obvious Razor was going to be the next coach. The thing I think you’re missing their is that BB wasn’t sharing, if he wasn’t the 10, he was the 15, so 100% as apposed to Richies 50%, ie correlating to a 2 to 1 valuation in their (Richies) contract value as well.


    So I can definitely understand why Richie made the call early to seek a big offer from Japan, and who really knows, maybe his performances in August, even against Japan in October were in time to still be able to bump up his value? But you never hear about these signings as theyre done, announcements are scheduled months later more than not (so a December announcement wouldn’t have left much negotiating time).


    So a four year (detractors like HHT will round up to 5) AB at the time does not get offered a sabbatical IMO, especially when they were in the process of negotiating one for Barrett (BB ended up signing in Japan with options for longer right, but NZ came to him with a deal to come back, calling it a sabbatical?). All in all and as always, your outlook is tempered and reasonable Chief, I was just sharing my picture for those that try to ‘blame’ either party.

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