Sydney/Gadigal has been confirmed to host 13 matches for the Rugby World Cup 2027 – Australia including the Final, though it has missed out on the opening match to Perth/Boorloo & thus the Opening Ceremony and the Capping Ceremony for the Australian team, the Wallabies & their 1st opponent. Sydney/Gadigal will also host 5 Pool Stage matches, 2 Round Of 16 matches, 2 Quarterfinals, both Semi-Finals & the Bronze Final.
Photograph: Destination New South Wales
Apart from Perth/Boorloo, which will host 7 matches, 5 other cities were announced to host matches. The other 5 are:
- Brisbane/Meeanjin (10 matches)
- Melbourne/Narrm (9 matches)
- Adelaide/Tarntanya (5 matches)
- Newcastle/Awabakal-Worimi (4 matches)
- Townsville/Gurambilbarra (4 matches)
Image: Rugby World Cup 2027 – Australia
These cities were selected for their vibrant culture, world-class hospitality & scenic landmarks.
Adelaide/Tarntanya, Newcastle/Awabakal-Worimi & Townsville/Gurambilbarra will all host only Pool Stage matches.
Brisbane/Meeanjin, Melbourne/Narrm & Perth/Boorloo will all host 2 Round-Of-16 matches and 5 Pool Stage matches though Brisbane/Meeanjin will also host 2 Quarter-Finals & an additional Pool Stage match while Perth/Boorloo will host the opening Pool Stage match.
With Perth/Boorloo hosting the opening Pool Stage match, this will mean they will also host the Opening Ceremony and prior to that, the Capping Ceremony for the Wallabies & their 1st opponent.
The last time Australia hosted the Rugby World Cup in 2003 these were hosted by Sydney/Gadigal with the Capping Ceremony including a fireworks display on the Sydney Harbour Bridge & 1 barge on the water.
Photograph: Australian Broadcasting Corporation\
Sydney/Gadigal will still hold capping ceremonies but only for those teams playing their 1st match of the tournament in Sydney/Gadigal if any.
The subsequent pre-match Opening Ceremony also included pyrotechnics on the Sydney Harbour Bridge & Opera House in the opening segment.
However, with Sydney/Gadigal hosting the Final still, a post-match Harbour fireworks display, featuring the Bridge & 2 barges, as also seen in 2003 is still possible. An illumination of the Sydney Opera House in gold for the Wallabies is all but certain. A Bridge Effect is extremely unlikely, though a drone show should not be ruled out.
The tournament is projected to generate AUD$1.3billion in direct visitor expenditure from more than 250,000 international visitors of which 200,000 & AUD$600 million will enter New South Wales (NSW) & its’ economy.
For the host cities announcement, the Webb Ellis Cup was brought to Sydney/Gadigal:
Photograph: Rugby World Cup 2027 – Australia
The full inventory of host venues & the location of where Australia will play in the Pool Stage will be confirmed later this year.
The Rugby World Cup 2027 – Australia will be held between Friday the 1st of October & Saturday the 13th of November 2027.
The selection of these incredible host cities reflects our commitment to bring Rugby World Cup to as many Australians as possible & maximise the tournament’s positive impact and sporting legacy in all host communities. Australia’s iconic cities & rich culture will create an extraordinary atmosphere for fans & players alike, uniting an entire nation for 6 unforgettable weeks. We look forward to working with host cities to make this tournament one for the ages.
Brett Robinson, World Rugby Chair
Rugby World Cup is among the planet’s biggest sporting events & Australia is incredibly excited to welcome the world to the 2027 edition. Australia has a rich history of hosting major tournament. Indeed, we co-hosted the 1st ever Rugby World Cup almost 40 years ago & I have no doubt this event will captivate and enthral the hundreds of thousands attending in-stadium & the hundreds of millions viewing around the world.
From the positive economic impacts to the energising of the fan base to the inspiration provided to the next generation of players, Rugby World Cup 2027 will leave a legacy that will be felt in Australia for many years to come & as for the players, representing your country at a home Rugby World Cup is the absolute pinnacle.
It’s hard to put into words how significant a Rugby World Cup on home soil is & to have the host cities confirmed brings another level of excitement and anticipation.
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 & what that buzz was like for the local community. As players, Rugby World Cup is certainly in the back of our minds & we know the whole country will be right behind us in a little of 2 years time.
Harry Wilson, ‘Wallabies’ Captain
Staging the finals & having more matches than any other state demonstrates just how attractive New South Wales is as a destination for global sporting events.
To all those keen rugby fans across the globe, it’s time to lock in your travel plans. Not only will you get to watch some fantastic sport, but you will also get to tour the best state in the world, home to extraordinary national parks and unparalleled Harbour views.
Chris Minns, NSW Premier
Sydney Spectaculars 