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With hosting preparations advancing for the 2027 men’s Rugby World Cup, World Rugby has announced that Chris Stanley has been appointed Managing Director of local operating company (LOC) for the 11th edition of the tournament.

Part of an accelerating partnership with Rugby Australia and at the heart of a golden decade of sporting events in the country, Stanley joins from consultancy firm MI Global Partners, where he served as Chief Executive and managed projects across a range of industries, including major sports events such as the Rugby World Cup.

Following the first meeting of the LOC in Sydney earlier this month, Stanley will join the organising company in July with his initial priorities including the resourcing of the organising company and furthering engagement with state governments and host cities as the pivotal venue selection process progresses.

Commenting on his new role, Stanley advised “having worked across every Rugby World Cup since 2003 and building on my role as an Executive Director Planning and Integration for Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan, the prospect of being involved in delivering the most prestigious men’s and women’s rugby events in Australia to help grow the sport both domestically and around the world, is very exciting.

“I look forward to collaborating with colleagues at World Rugby, Rugby Australia and the Australian Government to bring to life not just great sporting events, but outstanding events that will engage a nation, set new standards in sustainable impact and drive rugby forwards.”

Announcing the appointment, Rugby World Cup Director, Michel Pousseau stated “with a wealth of experience in major sports event planning and project delivery, Chris Stanley is perfectly placed to drive forward the establishment of the new Rugby World Cup Australia LOC.

“Chris has an intimate knowledge of both Rugby World Cup, having consulted on every tournament since 2003, and also the events organization environment in Australia, in which he is widely regarded as a leading expert.”

Rugby Australia Chief Executive, Andy Marinos added “Chris has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the delivery of Rugby World Cups and major global events.

“It is why our team made the call to have him involved as part of our successful bids for 2027 and 2029 in a key advisory role. From our perspective, given his experience, and the skill set required under the new delivery model, Chris is an ideal candidate as Rugby World Cup 2027 managing director.”

A collaboration between Dublin-based World Rugby and Rugby Australia, the Rugby World Cup Australia local operating company is majority owned by World Rugby’s events arm, which is responsible for the delivery of all men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups through to at least 2033 and designed to ignite global rugby interest, fan, participation growth and value.

Australia was confirmed as the host for the 2027 and 2029 tournaments in May last year with Sir Rod Eddington was announced as the Chair of the directors’ board for both the 2027 and 2029 events in early February,

This year will see the men’s Rugby World Cup take place in France, between 8th September and 28th October, with the next edition of the women’s tournament set to be staged in England in 2025.

Image: Chris Stanley the new Managing Director of Rugby 2027 LOC. Credit: World Rugby.

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