The Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race has announced 142 yachts will compete in the 80th edition of the event, including 6 30.48 metre long (100 foot) maxis, making this year’s Blue Water Classic one of the most competitive in years.
It is the largest fleet since 2019, when the 75th edition was held.
There are 18 international entries including from New Zealand (5), United States Of America (4), China (3), France (2), Germany, The Netherlands, Poland & the United Kingdom.
Out of the 124 yachts from Australia, currently there are:
74 from New South Wales
15 from Queensland
15 from Victoria
13 from Tasmania
4 from South Australia &
3 from Western Australia
There are 20 double-handed entries.
Newly confirmed entries include XI, 9-time line honours winner, Le Tiroflan, Back 2 Black, Wild Thing 100, Unicoin, Wild, Maritimo 100, Katwinchar, Windrose & Oroton Drumfire.
The current International Rating Certificate handicap class trophy, the Tattersall Cup, holder, Celestial V70, have also entered in order to win it for a 2nd time. Having also come 2nd in line honours last year, they have invested in an upgraded sail set for the Great Race South this year in order to claim that title too. Reflecting on the start of last year’s race, Celestial V70 skipper, Doctor (Dr) Sam Haynes, said:
1 of the things which happened at the very start was the A3, which is a spinnaker, a very vital spinnaker on a Volvo 70 as a type of sail which really powers that type of boat. It ripped & the sail gave way. It was an older sail.
It had delamination so we actually have a whole sail wardrobe coming for the boat, which is quite a significant upgrade on a Volvo 70. They’re big sails & it’s very important to have that.
Dr Sam Haynes, ‘Celestial V70’ skipper
Other News
In other news, sporting a new rig & sail wardrobe, URM won line honours in both the Flinders Islet & Tollgate Islands Races with Bacchanal leading the Bass & Flinders Series of the Blue Water Pointscore after 3 races with 20 points.
Also, the Cruising Yacht Club Of Australia is looking for 1 or 2 people to join their Blue Water Race Website Team. You’ll gain access to their satellite tracking, race management & content systems with step-by-step guides & support from a 20+ year-experienced technical consultant. Working from home via the Internet is possible for these roles.
You just need confidence with technology, a steady approach & availability for 5-to-6-hour shifts during races.
To learn more or register your interest, contact fiona.cole@cyca.com.au
This whole announcement was made at 5pm, October 24.
The Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race 2025 – its 80th anniversary – begins at 1pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time on the 26th of December, Boxing Day.
The Notice Of Race for the 2025 Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race has been amended to add an International Rating Certificate (IRC) Cruiser/Racer Handicap Category.
This category will be open to yachts:
if also entered in the main IRC category
with an IRC hull factor not larger than 10
with a hull length not less than 13.9 metres
fully fitted out for comfortable cruising
normally containing a full private cabin complement
normally containing a fully fitted out galley
normally containing heads (toilets)
normally containing onboard refrigeration
The Race Committee’s determination as to whether a yacht meets the above criteria shall not be subject to protest or grounds for a redress request.
Entries for the 80th Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race close at 5pm, Friday the 24th of October.
In other news, Wild Thing 100 won the Sydney-Gold Coast Yacht Race on line honours on July 27.
This announcement was made on August 11.
The Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race 2025 – its 80th anniversary – begins at 1pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time on the 26th of December, Boxing Day.
Tickets are now on sale for the official Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race Spectator Vessel, which this year will once again be luxury superyacht, The Jackson.
It is the only spectator vessel to be allowed within the Sydney Harbour exclusion zone & to be precisely on the start line.
Public access on The Jackson is only to the main deck, which has 270-degree views, with the mid & top decks reserved for private functions. Apart from the race, The Jackson‘s main deck includes gourmet canapés, substantial snacks, premium beverages, a 5-meter light-emitting diode screen of the official television broadcast, tables & plush seating (the latter 2 are not at the front of the main deck). Official event merchandise will also be available for purchase on board.
New for 2025 is an optional complimentary transfer by Fast Ferry to the Sydney Race Village at Rushcutters Bay on return to King Street Wharf as well as a possible optional free ticket to the Hunter Rescue Helicopter Charity Ball.
The Jackson departs from King Street Wharf 2.75 hours before the race start, returning 2 hours after the race start. Boarding begins half an hour prior to departure from King Street Wharf.
Tickets are $399 per person (a $9 increase on 2024) & are available here.
If sold out, a waiting list will become available to join & tickets may also be offered for resale. Both can be accessed here.
So far, over 62 entries have been received for the 80th anniversary of the Great Race South including 1st Light & The Gaffer.
Also, Blue Water Pointscore entries have also opened!
This announcement was made on July 22.
The Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race 2025 – its 80th anniversary – begins at 1pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time on the 26th of December, Boxing Day.
This post has been updated to include the Final Report’s addendum, which was published on the 13th of August.
The Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race has published, in full, a review into 3 incidents that happened during the previous race, which resulted in 2 fatalities & a man swept overboard.
The 2 fatalities occurred between 10:30pm on Boxing Day (26th December) & 2:16am on the 27th December on 2 separate yachts (Flying Fish Arctos & Bowline). The former, Roy Quadon, involved a head injury from a boom strike while the latter, Nick Smith, a 2-leg Clipper Round the World Yacht Race sailor’s chest was compressed against the port mainsail winch. The man swept overboard, at 3:07am, was Luke Watkins, the Boat Captain from Porco Rosso. Also, at 10:16pm last Boxing Day, Quetzalcoatl reported a boom striking a crew member causing a significant but non-fatal head injury. This earlier incident likely led to media reporting that both fatalities involved boom strikes to the head.
A 3-person Review Committee was set up to review the 2 fatalities & the man overboard (MOB) incident. On the Committee was Adrienne Cahalan, Dave Jordan & as chair, Chris Oxenbould. All 3 have raced at some point in their lives in the Sydney-Hobart.
Whilst it was claimed to be an independent review, the Cruising Yacht Club Of Australia (CYCA), the primary race organiser, provided resources to the Review Committee including data and stakeholder access, a budget & administrative support. During the Review Committee’s existence, the Chair was definitely a member of the CYCA but while Adrienne Cahalan definitely wasn’t, it couldn’t be determined with certainty whether Dave Jordan was a member of the CYCA or whether all were members of the Royal Yacht Club Of Tasmania, who are the other race organiser.
Of note, their report reveals 1 of the fatalities wasn’t due to a head injury from boom strikes & that there were no broken or dislocated shoulders as initially reported. All 3 yachts suffered a ‘crash gybe’ – an uncontrolled manoeuvre when the stern is passed through the wind (which in Flying Fish Arctos‘ case was, at the time, ~51km/h, while in the other 2, were in gales) & causing the mainsail to flick violently, with a great deal of force, from 1 side of the boat to the other. All 3 crash gybes happened around a change of watch, even though all 3 had staggered crew changes. In Flying Fish Arctos‘ case, the crash gybe caused the boom to fatally strike Roy Quadon, who was standing & who “must have been out of his normal position”. In Bowline‘s case, Nick Smith, who was on their knees, was caught in the mainsail’s bight (the curved section or slack part between 2 ends of a line when it is not under tension) & they were thrown with their chest fatally forced and compressed against the port mainsail winch. In Porco Rosso‘s case, the canting keel canted 80% to starboard, causing Luke Watkins to be underwater, held by a Spinlock Performance Safety Line 3 Clip Stretch DW-STR/03/C & other lifelines but wedged between the top lifeline, a stanchion & a safety rail protecting the front and side of the starboard steering wheel, restricting his movement except to the boat end of the Spinlock Performance Safety Line 3 Clip Stretch DW-STR/03/C, which, while feeling he was on his last breath, he used to pull himself up to the boat’s windward side to release the Spinlock custom clip from the jackstay & thus, the Spinlock Performance Safety Line 3 Clip Stretch DW-STR/03/C. His lifejacket had also automatically inflated, the buoyancy of which assisted in freeing him from the other lifelines & the safety rail, releasing himself from the boat & thus, saving his life. Porco Rosso‘s crew later identified that the deck jackstays might be better positioned closer to the yacht’s centreline (they were positioned at the hull’s top edge) & short tethers should be used whenever possible. After seeing the yacht sail into the distance, Luke Watkins activated his Personal Location Beacon (PLB) but against training, didn’t pause before activating his Automatic Identification System (AIS) beacon. While in the water, he put on his spray hood, but it fogged up after 30 seconds & so he removed it. After his rescue, Porco Rosso‘s crew identified that the MOB throw line should be incorporated with reflective tape or strands, that a combined white flashing masthead lantern should have been switched on & that intracrew communications could be improved by point-to-point communication between the helm and the navigation station. Whilst not formally stated in their recommendations, the Review Committee says individual crew members should taking into account their yacht & its situation peculiarity when deciding whether to use an in-built Harness Release System (HRS) mechanism.
At 6am, an announcement was made in the news that there had been 2 deaths on 2 separate yachts, 1 on each – 1 yacht of which was named as Bowline. However, it wasn’t until 8am that Bowline’s crew could make contact with their families. Whilst not formally stated in their recommendations, the Review Committee considers the major incident details public release protocols be reviewed with the New South Wales (NSW) Police in an attempt to ensure that the involved crews’ next of kin have been informed of the incident before any victims are named whenever possible. The crew of Bowline were also “hounded by the media” “unrelenting” & “it ‘stretched’ them”.
The report also found that crews were not comforted by the lack of weather forecasts broadcast as part of the radio schedule routine (sked), as done in previous editions. After the sked, a Comma-Separated Values (CSV) file with all boat positions accompanied by Bureau Of Meteorology (BOM) weather reports was sent, which yachts with low bandwidth satellite phones didn’t always receive.
The Race Operations Centre & Control Room logbooks made it clear that “communications were not perfect & that there were quite a few cases where contact could not be made with a boat” “by satellite phone voice calls & messages had to be left” instead. The report found a “lack” of experience, confidence or understanding of satellite phones & their application in the rules by the racing fleet, which resulted in “unease” in the competitors. This was evident in the need by the Sailing Manager to clarify that Starlink could be used 3 days prior to the race start. The Review Committee noted the intention of the Race Committee to review available evolving satellite phone systems & the Communications Plan, with the latter being refined.
In the Flying Fish Arctos fatality, important messages were not able to be passed on Very High Frequency (VHF) radio channel 16 (reserved for distress calls) due to a traffic jam including contact being made by a medical expert on another competing yacht (Flying Fish Arctos was in contact though with at least 5 medical experts including 3 which were their own crew members). However, the Review Committee found that both deaths were instantaneous. Bowline‘s fatality revealed that the satellite phone & charging station would have been better installed in a more central place like the navigation station (Both were installed in the aft (back) cabin as the charging station couldn’t operate in the navigation station when the satellite phone was being used). Whilst not formally stated in their recommendations, the Review Committee considered that the Race Committee should review the practical performance of low bandwidth satellite phones to confirm they have sufficient capability to meet competitor’s requirements, in particular, whether the data transfer capability provides a yacht with the ability to receive the files emailed by the Race Committee after each sked (such as the CSV boat position file & the BOM weather reports) with Australian Sailing specifying (precisely by bandwidth & data transfer rate) a minimum acceptable data transfer capability level in the Special Regulations, which the Race Committee can included in the Notice Of Race (NOR) & Sailing Instructions (SIs).
Also, up until 7am on the 27th of December, PLBs were also set off accidentally 9 times, 2 of which took 2 hours to resolve. Porco Rosso made an error, which they later identified, in not numbering off when trying to account for everyone, leading to the wrong assumption that everyone was on board & that an activated PLB as well as a MOB alarm was accidental. However, these mistakes didn’t add any delay to recovering Luke Watkins. The mistakes were realised when the PLB was associated with the sailor’s name, which the report found was “vital”. Luke Watkins was recovered 53 minutes after he released his tether. The crew of Porco Rosso also identified poor rehearsing of numbering offs prior to the race start & that luminous numbers on foul weather gears’ arms/back could be used as well as an investigation into a better interface between the AIS beacon and the boat’s receiver, which the Review Committee recommended for consideration as a subject for a widely shared webinar as part of Australian Sailing’s Sea Safety & Survival Course (SSSC).
On Porco Rosso, their Spinlock Deckvest Vito Lifejackets accidentally inflated 5 times since the race start, despite being advertised by the manufacturer as being resistant to such occurrences. The crew of Porco Rosso later identified a high level of accidentally inflated lifejackets in the wider racing fleet, which they considered should be reviewed to see if the current Special Regulations Of Australian Sailing (ASSR) requirements for lifejacket spares & lifejacket re-arming kits should be increased to 2.
Also, competitors found the race’s entry process repetitive, cumbersome, time-consuming & lacking automation and monitoring. The report found that Race Management is aware of the issue & that the CYCA Board has already approved an entry process system update. The Review Committee also said the qualifying race/ocean passage added little value given the qualification was for the yacht & not the crew.
Whilst not formally stated in their recommendations, the Review Committeesays everything Porco Rosso identified should be reviewed for inclusion as appropriate in race documentation (but was recommended for forwarding to Australian Sailing by the CYCA as stated below) & they suggested that it might also be a suitable time to review SSSC content including an expansion to include heavy weather downwind sailing. The Review Committee also said the CYCA’s recently announced Offshore Sailing Academy could expand racing education & training, possibly with endorsement by Australian Sailing & further dissemination among other offshore sailors, similar to other international race organising committee offerings, with seamanship and performance treated in the context of a major ocean race & crash gybe risk and consequences understanding furthered through formal structured sailing and sharing of real-life experiences. Whilst not formally stated in their recommendations, the Review Committee found that each yacht deserves a Downwind Sailing Risk Assessment. The Review Committee also said the practical application of boom brakes/preventers, the sail settings & the True Wind Angle selection should be left to the person in charge (PIC).
The report also found wearing a helmet would have been “very limited help” & “unlikely to have saved” Roy Quadon’s life.
The Review Committee made 13 formal recommendations:
the existing recommendation in the ASSR (5.01.1(b)) should be mandated so that an AIS MOB beacon & PLB should be carried by or attached to each crew member on deck with the CYCA introducing the change in the Notices Of Races from the next race & approaching Australian Sailing to make the mandate
a more automated & user-friendly race entry procedure (starting with a simple online accessible electronic checklist on what has (not) been accepted)
the lessons learnt from the MOB incident be provided to Australian Sailing for dissemination to SSSC instructors & used in the training of MOB recovery
boom brake & preventer awareness & understanding should continue in training courses but their use should be a personal choice that does not need to be regulated
the major incident details public release protocols be reviewed with the NSW Police in an attempt to ensure that the involved crews’ next of kin have been informed of the incident before any naming of the involved boats whenever practicable
an improved minimum satellite phone capability requirement definition
a list of acceptable satellite phone systems be provided
the wording associated with the passage or qualifying race in the NOR be amended to link the crew (50% including the PIC) with the entered fully crewed yacht, subject to a Race Committee special exemption application determination discretion.
the in-built HRS mechanism availability & effectiveness should be widely promulgated but the choice of incorporating an HRS lifejacket harness & tether should be left with the individual crew member
helmets should remain optional & dependent on an individual’s personal choice or boat requirement
a Heavy Weather Downwind SailingForum be convened (possibly by the CYCA with their most experienced sailors & also recorded) before the next Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race
a recorded & widely disseminated communications seminar be convened before the next Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race (Among other things, to teach about the satellite communications-based framework, available weather and emergency service sourcing & that 1 uninvolved boat with a good high-quality signal VHF system and experienced disciplined operator is needed to take control of an emergency situation and that the other boats comply with their instructions including to shift to a working channel)
whenever feasible, media assistance (such as a mobile media club representative) be provided to crews when a significant incident has involved a boat
The full report can be read here, which was published on the 15th of May with the addendum published on the 13th of August.
The CYCA board considered the full findings & will implement all recommendations, as they stated they would at the time of the tragedy.
The CYCA also extended its sincere thanks to the Review Committee for their comprehensive and thoughtful work & in particular acknowledged the Chair for his leadership and commitment to improving sailing safety outcomes.
The report also noted that the Race Committee Chair plans to review in the coming months:
Roles & responsibilities
Scenario planning for the full emergency/incident range
The race start
The overarching Race Management Plan, NOR & SIs
So far, over 60 entries have been received for the 80th anniversary of the Blue Water Classic including Comanche, 4-time line honours winner, LawConnect, 2-time & current line honours winner, URM, Smuggler, Love And War, Borderline, Moneypenny & Scarlet Runner. Among these 60 entries are 8 international entries from France (2), the United States Of America, Poland, Germany, New Zealand & China including Scallywag, Bacchanal, Callisto, BNC & Poulpito.
In other news, after receiving 30 expressions of interest, entries opened on May 22 for the new Southern Cross Series with entries closing at 12pm, 1st of December. Also, 50 entries had been received for the Sydney-Gold Coast Yacht Race.
This announcement was made on June 13.
The Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race 2025 – its 80th anniversary – begins at 1pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time on the 26th of December, Boxing Day.
Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race organisers have announced the return of the Southern Cross Cup as a prize. As since 2019, the Southern Cross Cup will be rewarded to the best team of 3 yachts who have combined their efforts to enter the Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race as either a club, state or country.
Entries Open 2 Weeks Late
Entries for the 80th Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race have also opened, 2 weeks later than expected, with the Notice Of Race (NOR) also being published.
A fleet of over 120 yachts are expected to compete across multiple divisions for the 80th anniversary race as well as a record contingent of double-handed entries.
Doctor Sam Haynes, Cruising Yacht Club Of Australia (CYCA) Commodore & 2-time Overall Winner of the Great Race South including last year’s on Celestial V70, looks forward to welcoming entries for the historic anniversary:
The CYCA is immensely proud to have organised the Sydney-Hobart for 80 years alongside our finishing partner, the Royal Yacht Club Of Tasmania. We encourage sailors from all over the world to join us in December to participate in this race of a lifetime.
The Rolex Sydney-Hobart has it all. It’s a destination race which provides some of the world’s most competitive racing in some of the most challenging sailing conditions, located in a stunning part of the world & it’s also a display of comradeship at its finest.
Everyone has a chance to win Overall from 100-foot maxis to 30-foot double-handed yachts. It’s a race you don’t want to miss.
Doctor Sam Haynes, CYCA Commodore & 2-time ‘Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race’ Overall Winner
IRC Veterans Divisions
The NOR reveals that, for the 80th anniversary, additional International Rating Certificate divisions for Veterans & Grand Veterans will be conducted. The Grand Veterans division will be open to yachts with a launch date prior to 1976 while Veterans will be open to yachts with a launch date between 1976 & 1995.
Tragedy Review Update
An update has also been provided in the NOR by the CYCA regarding the review into last year’s tragedy, saying a report is expected to be provided to the CYCA’s board in May:
This review is still ongoing with a report expected to be provided to the Board in May this year.
Doctor Sam Haynes, CYCA Commodore & 2-time ‘Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race’ Overall Winner
Southern Cross Series
The CYCA have also announced a new biennial Southern Cross Series. The series will feature 3 already-announced sailing races:
Cabbage Tree Island Race (Saturday the 5th of December-Monday the 7th of December 2025 – also part of the Australian Maxi Championship)
Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race (Friday the 26th of December 2025 to Saturday the 3rd of January 2026)
Trans-Tasman Yacht Race (Friday the 26th-Sunday the 29th of February 2026 – biennial race)
The NOR for this new series will be released shortly.
The pools have been drawn in Sydney for the Rugby World Cup (RWC) – Australia: Men’s 2027 under the supervision of scrutineers from Binder Dijker Otte. Hosted by former Wallaby (Australian 15s player) & Australian Rugby 7s player, Morgan Turinui, the pool draw was presented by:
Brett Robinson, current World Rugby Chair & former Wallaby – drew out the Band 1 pot
James Slipper, former captain of & most capped player of the Wallabies – drew out the Band 2 pot
Alicia Lucas, 2016 Olympic gold medallist representing Australia in women’s rugby 7s, now retired – drew out the Band 3 pot
Dan Carter, 2-time World Cup-winning & former All Black (New Zealand player) including captain – drew out the Band 4 pot
Yeah, you know, it’s an absolute privilege to be here for the draw as a proud Australian & a rugby fanatic.
It’s exciting & I think this is the 1st step in the fans getting that appetite for what’s to come.
Alicia Lucas, Pool Draw Presenter & 2016 Olympic gold medallist representing Australia in women’s rugby 7s (now retired)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – 2-time RWC-winning All Black, Dan Carter, chooses a draw ball during the RWC – Australia: Men’s 2027 draw at Channel 9 Studios on December 3, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
Australia was already declared to be drawn in Pool A as A2. The draw then went from the Band 4 pot to the Band 1 pot, with teams being drawn into Pool F first & Pool A last. The resulting pools are:
Pool A
All Blacks (New Zealand)
Wallabies (Australia)
The Condors (Chile)
Hong Kong, China
Fast Facts:
Wallabies & All Blacks will meet for the 1st time at the RWC since the England 2015 final & for the 1st time ever in the pool stage.
The Wallabies will face a South American team for the 5th time in the RWC pool stage
2 of the All Blacks’ titles came after facing a South American team in the pool stage
The Condors have never played against their Pool A opponents at a RWC before.
Pool B
Springboks (South Africa)
Italy
The Lelos (Georgia)
The Oaks (Romania)
(gasp)
People in the studio when South Africa was drawn into Pool B, meaning New Zealand would go into Pool A.
Fast Facts:
The Springboks are drawn in Pool B & Italy will face an African opponent for the 3rd successive Men’s tournament
The Springboks have always been in a Men’s tournament pool with at least 1 European nation
2027 is the 2nd Men’s tournament in a row the Springboks will face 3 European nations
Italy are drawn in a RWC pool with The Lelos for the 1st time.
The Oaks have never won against their pool B opponents at a RWC before
Pool C
The Pumas (Argentina)
The Flying Fijians
The Lions (Spain)
Canada
Oh, no
At least 1 person in the studio when Argentina was drawn into Pool C, leaving South Africa & New Zealand to go into either Pool A or B.
Fast Facts:
Pool C has yielded the most winners (4)
The 1st time ever The Lions will play any of their Pool C opponents at a RWC.
The 1st time ever The Pumas will play against Canada or The Lions at the RWC.
The 1st time since 1987 that The Pumas & The Flying Fijians have been drawn in a RWC pool together.
The 1st time ever The Flying Fijians & Canada have played each other at a RWC since 2007
Pool D
Ireland
Scotland
The Teros (Uruguay)
The Wolves (Portugal)
Fast Facts:
The only pool not to produce a champion to date.
Ireland & Scotland are paired together for the 3rd Men’s tournament in a row & 4th Men’s tournament in total.
The 1st time ever Ireland will face The Teros or The Wolves at the RWC.
The 1st time Ireland will face a South American team in a RWC pool since 2007
The Teros & The Wolves will meet for the 1st time at a RWC
The Wolves have now been paired with at least 2 European teams in each of their 3 tournament appearances
Pool E
France
Sakura (Japan)
Eagles (United States Of America)
Manu Samoa
Fast Facts:
France & Manu Samoa will play each other for the 1st time in the RWC pool stage.
Sakura & Manu Samoa are drawn together for the 4th RWC tournament in a row.
Sakura will play the Eagles in a RWC match in Australia for the 3rd time ever.
Pool F
England
Wales
The Sea Eagles (Tonga)
The Sables (Zimbabwe)
Fast Facts:
England & Wales will face each other in the RWC pool stage for the 2nd time ever
The 1st time since 2003 that Wales & The Sea Eagles will play each other at a RWC
The 1st time ever The Sables will play against England, Wales & The Sea Eagles at the RWC.
Oh, look, this is, um, just an amazing moment for World Rugby. Uh, this is the 1st time that we’ve ever done this. You know, in previous iterations we couldn’t name the teams that were coming to the tournament at this point but, um, on the basis of having now the 24 teams known & to come to this moment and be able to announce the teams for the fans is the 1st time we’ve ever done it.
Now, leading into early next year, when we can work through the match schedule & then ultimately getting onto late February with the, um, with the pre-sales, it’s such a special moment for rugby in the world & particularly rugby in Australia.
Brett Robinson, current World Rugby Chair & former ‘Wallaby‘
(Left to right) Pool draw broadcast host, Micheal Atkinson, 2-time RWC-winning & former All Black including captain, Dan Carter, 2016 Olympic gold medallist representing Australia in women’s rugby 7s (now retired), Alicia Lucas & 2-time RWC-winning former ‘Wallaby’ including captain, Tim Horan, in the pool draw broadcast studio for the pre-show panel. Photograph: RWC – Australia: Men’s 2027
Ah, it’s been great to bring you the re…draw for Rugby World Cup 2027.
Micheal Atkinson, Pool Draw Broadcast Host
I, I think the busiest people in the next 2 weeks is going to be all the tour operators who are going to start to work out where our tour groups are going. Look at England & Wales, those fans hate each other. Ireland & Scotland, the same. All Blacks v Australia. Where are all these matches going to be played so & the Springboks supporters as well so now the tour operators start to work out how we get our groups together? Where are we starting to go & uh, it’s going to be a great Rugby World Cup but a lot can change in the next 2 years as well? Sides can change. Someone like Wales can move themselves up the, the pecking order as well so uh, Pool F: England v Wales & Tonga is going to be a great one.
Tim Horan, 2-time RWC-winning former ‘Wallaby’ including captain
The match schedule will be announced on Tuesday the 3rd of February.
International match use of the ball will be launched next year so players can familiarise themselves with it ahead of the main event.
After the draw, World Rugby chair, Brett Robinson, revealed at a media conference that the Australian Government, as part of RWC funding, will provide AUD$15 million in funding for Pacific-related programs:
We actually, through the relationship with the Australian Government in the World Cup funding, have a $15 million bucket of money already that is going to be pushed into Pacifica-related programs, which is fabulous.
Brett Robinson, current World Rugby Chair & former ‘Wallaby‘
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 03: Brett Robinson, World Rugby Chair & former Wallaby speaks to the media after the RWC – Australia: Men’s 2027 Pool Draw at Channel 9 Studios on December 03, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
Rugby World Cup (RWC) – Australia: Men’s 2027 has launched its full marketing campaign for the tournament, called Go All Out.
The campaign will be deployed across broadcast, digital & social media channels.
At the centre of the campaign is a film, which continues on from the social media campaign launched earlier this week, which features Aussie humour & cameos from Wallabies’ (Australian team members) Joseph Suaalii, Max Jorgensen & Rob Valetini, among others. It also seems inspired by Australia’s Mad Max film franchise.
Out of a dust storm, a convoy of nation-themed vehicles, including a mechanical wallaby, a giant springbok truck & a soaring Welsh dragon, along with the passionate fans that built them, speeds in pursuit of a meteor, which is the Webb Ellis Cup, delivering the rallying cry: everyone give everything you’ve got & get involved.
Despite only beginning today, the Go All Out campaign is designed to fuel hype ahead of tonight’s pool draw.
This campaign captures the heart, passion & scale of what the Rugby World Cup truly means. There is simply nothing like it. Fans from every corner of the globe will come together to celebrate the game we love & the energy will be electric. Australia is ready to host the biggest Rugby World Cup ever & everyone is invited to Go All Out.
Chris Stanley, RWC – Australia: Men’s 2027 Managing Director
I’ve seen what 1 Englishman with a good boot can do in a Rugby World Cup final. That’s the joy & the pain of this tournament – 1 moment can live with you for decades. Now reuniting with my good mate Jonny for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 is a full circle moment. A home Rugby World Cup is where legends can be made, with the nation getting behind the Wallabies, hopefully this time, the last kick belongs to someone in gold & trust me, you won’t want to miss that!
1999 Rugby World Cup-winning team member & former ‘Wallaby’, George Gregan
World Rugby & Gilbert have unveiled the ball design for Rugby World Cup (RWC) – Australia: Men’s 2027 just as the seeding bands have been confirmed for the pool draw:
Band 1
Springboks (South Africa)
All Blacks (New Zealand)
England
Ireland
France
The Pumas (Argentina)
Band 2
Wallabies (Australia) (will go into Pool A as A2)
The Flying Fijians
Scotland
Italy
Wales
Sakura (Japan)
Band 3
The Lelos (Georgia)
The Teros (Uruguay)
The Lions (Spain)
Eagles (United States Of America)
The Condors (Chile)
The Sea Eagles (Tonga)
Band 4
Manu Samoa
The Wolves (Portugal)
The Oaks (Romania)
Hong Kong, China
The Sables (Zimbabwe)
Canada
An Internet Calendaring & Scheduling Core Object Specification (iCalendar) reminder was also released for the pool draw. You can download it here!
The ball is a size 5 with 9-10 pounds per square inch of pressure & will utilise Smart Ball technology that will deliver unique insights for fans.
The ball embodies the event’s identity with the tournament’s mark & an orange hue inspired by Australia’s sun and earth tones. The design reflects the warmth, energy & spirit of Australia.
Fans will be able to purchase the first balls ahead of December 25th with a wider range of commemorative licensed products launching globally in 2026.
This announcement was made on 2 December.
The RWC – Australia: Men’s 2027 pool drawis at 8pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (Greenwich Mean Time +11) on Wednesday the 3rd of December while the main tournament will begin on Friday the 1st of October 2027, with its final on Saturday the 13th of November 2027.
Since 1995, Gilbert has been at the heart of our game & once again they have delivered a vibrant and distinctive design for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia. This ball not only provides the world’s best players with the perfect tool to perform at the highest level but also enhances the experience for fans through cutting-edge technology.
Michel Poussau, World Rugby Chief Revenue Officer
We are excited to grow our partnership with World Rugby & to bring a wonderful official match ball design to rugby fans around the world. Rugby World Cup tournaments are the absolute pinnacle of our sport & always such a wonderful occasion and a fantastic opportunity to bring new and existing fans together and celebrate rugby.
Richard Gray, Gilbert Rugby Commercial Chief Executive Officer
Rugby World Cup (RWC) – Australia: Men’s 2027 has announced that the general ticket pre-sale for the event will begin at 12pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) (Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) +11) on the 18th of February & last 2 weeks, ending on Wednesday the 4th of March at the same time.
To be eligible to enter the general ticket pre-sale, fans must set up, register and activate (via e-mail link) a ticketing account & log in and validate your profile before 12pm AEDT (GMT +11) on Tuesday the 17th of February.
If you have a Superfan Pass, your pre-sale starts on Tuesday the 10th of February at 12pm AEDT (GMT+11) & lasts 6 days, ending on Monday the 16th of February at the same time.
During both pre-sales, tickets will be sold by price category only. Specific seats will be allocated at a later date but tickets purchased separately by different customers (i.e. family & friends) will not be allocated seats together.
Full ticket price categories will be announced at 12pm Tuesday the 10th of February. Child tickets will not be available in all price categories with their availability varying across venues & tournament stages. Round Of 16 adult tickets will start from AUD$50. Assistance dog seating will also be available.
A social media campaign has also begun:
In Australia, at a crossroads on the way to a ‘RWC – Australia: Men’s 2027’ match, English 2003 World Cup-winning former rugby union player, Jonny Wilkinson, is surprised to find Australian 1999 World Cup-winning former rugby union player, George Gregan, there too. Video: ‘RWC – Australia: Men’s 2027’
The full marketing campaign will be launched on the 2nd of December.
The pool draw will also be held in Sydney/Gadigal.
This announcement was made on November 26.
The RWC – Australia: Men’s 2027 will begin on Friday the 1st of October 2027 with its final on Saturday the 13th of November 2027.
Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 promises to be the biggest & most electrifying tournament yet. The atmosphere, the rivalries, the national pride – this campaign captures that energy & invites fans everywhere to be a part of it.
The exclusive pre-sale period is your chance to be there when history is made. With unprecedented demand already experienced when Superfan Passes went on sale earlier this year & 1 million tickets priced under AUD$100, we’re encouraging fans to register their interest early, so they don’t miss out.
Chris Stanley, ‘RWC – Australia: Men’s 2027’ Managing Director
Rugby World Cup (RWC) – Australia: Men’s 2027 has published the list of travel agents for the event which includes a travel agent for India for the 1st time ever.
These travel agents are authorised to sell personalised ticket-inclusive travel packages. Over 112,000 tickets have already been pre-ordered by these travel agents.
Chris John, Sports & Tourism Hospitality (STH) Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) said the appointment of travel agents for the event’s Travel Programme marks an important step forward:
Leveraging our long-standing industry partnerships & the trusted expertise of our appointed agents, we look forward to growing the programme even further & delivering world-class, bespoke travel experiences that set a new global standard in Australia.
Chris John, STH Group CEO
STH Group is trading as RWC Experiences (RWCE). RWCE holds the global rights for the event’s travel programme, which they said would involve delivering ‘immersive moments’ for travellers.
Nearly 50 travel agencies from around the world applied to RWCE to be part of the Travel Programme. Following a comprehensive review, RWCE appointed 15 agencies:
South America: Tower Sports Travel
European Union (excluding Ireland): Groupe Couleur Rugby
Australia: Events Travel & Sportsnet Holidays
Ireland: Killester Travel Rugby
Japan: JTB Corporation Global Sports
New Zealand: All Blacks/Ferns Travel & Hospitality
South Africa (SA): Edusport Travel And Tours, Rennies|BCD Sports Travel & SA Rugby Travel
United Kingdom: Gullivers Sport Travel, England Rugby Travel & Scottish Rugby Travel
United States Of America: Southern World Unique Journeys
India: Dream Set Go
If your region is not listed above, travel agents can still apply to be appointed here.
The appointed travel agents will finalise & release their full package offerings after the match schedule is announced in February. However, travel packages will be available for purchase for select matches fromJanuary. Fans can also register their interest with their countries’ agencies here now.
This announcement was made on November 20.
The RWC – Australia: Men’s 2027 will begin on Friday the 1st of October 2027 with its final on Saturday the 13th of November 2027.
The appointment of our official travel agents marks another important milestone as we build towards Men’s Rugby World Cup Australia 2027. Coming to Australia for this iconic event will be a trip of a lifetime for many rugby fans & our official travel agents will assist them in making this experience the best it can be – not only to see their teams compete but also to discover Australia’s stunning landscapes, vibrant host cities, culture & heritage.
Chris Stanley, ‘RWC – Australia: Men’s 2027’ Managing Director
Sydney Spectaculars 
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