InterQuad (International Quadratics)
InterQuad (International Quadratics) With a combined legacy spanning over 150 years, International Quadratics (founded in 1976) and Pierce Pool Supplies (originally established in 1898 as A H…
read moreWith World Rugby set to announce the host cities for the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup tomorrow, reports indicate that Perth’s Optus Stadium will host the opening match of the tournament.
With the Perth venue also having been considered - along with Sydney’s Accor Stadium - as the potential venue for the final, its availability will help avoid a probable clash with the NRL grand final on the first weekend of October in 2027.
In addition, the Western Australian venue is also in a friendlier time zone for viewers in Europe.
However, the larger capacity of Accor Stadium - 82,000 compared to Optus Stadium’s 61,266 - meant the Sydney will host the showpiece final, as it did in 2003.
The tournament schedule is also to include games in Melbourne, after a period of uncertainty over the Victorian Government’s commitment.
The Victorian Government initially made a major push for the Melbourne Cricket Ground to host the final and semi-finals, selling the vision of a record crowd in a Rugby World Cup final at the 100,000-seat venue.
However, its initial bid is understood to have been lower than the NSW Government’s offer, and when the call for best and final offers was made last year, the Victorian Government instead withdrew.
The prospect of Melbourne having no games during the tournament, as well as not hosting any games during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 (and missing out on key games during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023) reportedly prompted extensive lobbying of the Victorian Government.
The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that officials at the Melbourne Cricket Club (operators of the MCG) were among the groups who lobbied the Victorian Government to return to the negotiating table.
Now, following talks with World Rugby, a deal has been struck that will see Melbourne will host a number of fixtures.
The host cities announcement comes almost three years after Australia won the rights to host the 2027 World Cup under a new joint-venture model where World Rugby and Rugby Australia will organise the tournament as partners, and four years after Rugby Australia first sought expressions of interests from state governments to bid for packages of pool games and finals.
The hosting is expected to deliver a financial lifeline to Rugby Australia, with the body expected to receive $100 million from World Rugby.
World Rugby itself will keep all revenues from the tournament and use it to fund the game globally for the next four years.
An official announcement confirming all venues for the tournament is expected to be made tomorrow.
Image: The Webb Ellis Cup - the trophy awarded to the winner of the men's Rugby World Cup. Credit: World Rugby.
11th January 2025 - New World Rugby partnership looks to redefine fan experience
30th December 2024 - MCG’s Boxing Day Test breaks attendance record for cricket crowd in Australia
16th November 2024 - Former Wallaby Dr Brett Robinson elected World Rugby Chair
14th November 2024 - Women’s Asian Cup 2026 to provide important spotlight for women’s sport
7th November 2024 - World Rugby and Fanatics partner to launch global licensed merchandise program
9th October 2024 - Sydney’s Accor Stadium to host Australian debut for Race of Champions in 2025
17th May 2024 - Western Australian Government excited to be a host state for 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup
16th May 2024 - AFC names Australia as host for 2026 Women’s Asian Cup
28th February 2024 - World Rugby reveals new format for Pacific Nations Cup
23rd February 2024 - Football Australia reveals strategic vision to build on FIFA Women’s World Cup legacy
31st October 2023 - Australia’s Nation Brand showcased globally during the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
25th October 2023 - World Rugby reveals expanded 2027 World Cup
22nd August 2023 - Rugby Australia partners with World Rugby to appoint Women’s High-Performance Manager
10th August 2023 - Wallabies participate in Northern Territory community events ahead of Rugby World Cup campaign
3rd July 2023 - Phil Kearns named board member for Rugby World Cup local organising company
9th May 2023 - World Rugby announces women’s WXV series to launch in New Zealand and South Africa
19th April 2023 - Managing Director named for Rugby World Cup 2027 Local Operating Company
13th May 2022 - Australia secures Rugby World Cup 2027 and 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup
25th November 2021 - Australia announced as ‘preferred candidate’ to host Rugby World Cup 2027
22nd August 2021 - World Rugby’s Katie Sadleir named new Chief Executive at the Commonwealth Games Federation
26th March 2021 - World Rugby to back Super Rugby involvement of two Pacific Island teams
19th March 2021 - World Rugby confirms Alan Gilpin in Chief Executive role
17th April 2020 - World Rugby announces US$100 million global relief package
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