Featured image credit: World Rugby
Seven host cities have been announced for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, with Sydney’s Accor Stadium to stage the final for the second time.
As well as the final, Sydney will host five pool matches, two round of 16 matches, two quarter-finals, two semi-finals and the bronze final.
Elsewhere, Adelaide will host five pool matches; Brisbane will host six pool matches, two round of 16 matches and two quarter-finals; Melbourne will host seven pool matches and two round of 16 matches; Newcastle will host four pool matches; Perth will host five pool matches (including the opening match) and two round of 16 matches; and Townsville will host four pool matches.
While Accor Stadium has been confirmed as the host venue for the final, the full inventory of stadiums and the location of where Australia will play during the pool phase will be confirmed later in 2025. It has been reported that Allianz Stadium in Sydney and McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle will also be selected as host venues.
Melbourne and Perth had previously hoped to secure the final. Reports have suggested that officials in Melbourne held last-minute talks with World Rugby to ensure the city will host nine matches.
World Rugby said the tournament is projected to generate A$1.3bn (£650m/€778m/$809m) in direct visitor expenditure from more than 250,000 international visitors. The tournament will take place from October 1 to November 13, 2027. It will mark the first time the tournament has featured 24 teams.
Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh said: “Rugby World Cup is among the planet’s biggest sporting events and Australia is incredibly excited to welcome the world to the 2027 edition. 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 captivate and enthral the hundreds of thousands attending in-stadium and the hundreds of millions viewing around the world.
“A Men’s Rugby World Cup presents a unique opportunity for our country. From the positive economic impacts, to the energising of the fan base, 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.”
Australia was awarded hosting rights to the tournament back in May 2022. It will mark the first time Australia has staged the men’s event since 2003, when the host nation lost to England in the final at Accor Stadium.
The most recent World Cup took place in France in 2023. After Australia, the event will head to the US for the first time in 2031.
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