World Rugby has announced that the Superfan Passes for the Rugby World Cup – Australia 2027 have sold out in less than a minute.
The sale begun on August 5 at 2pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) (UTC+10).
There were only 2027 Superfan Passes on sale. Superfan Passes are not match tickets but are personal non-transferable passes that gave the buyer guaranteed access in February 2026 but before the closed pre-sale to purchase up to 4 tickets per match for any match up to a total maximum of 52 tickets.
The announcement was made on August 5 at 2:01pm AEST (UTC+10) – indicating they sold out in less than a minute.
The Rugby World Cup – Australia 2027 will begin on Friday the 1st of October 2027, with its final on Saturday the 13th of November 2027.
We were delighted to introduce last week the Superfan Passes, an exciting innovation & a 1st at a Rugby World Cup, in direct response to what we’ve consistently heard from fans: a desire for certainty & a way to truly go all-in on the tournament – but we obviously didn’t expect such a phenomenal response. To see all Superfan Passes sell out in under an hour shows just how excited fans are to be part of the biggest Rugby World Cup ever organised & this once-in-a-generation celebration of rugby in Australia.
Chris Stanley, ‘Rugby World Cup – Australia 2027’ Managing Director
This was announced on August 3 – just under 48 hours prior to the Superfan Pass sale.
The Superfan Passes are personal non-transferable passes that gave the buyer guaranteed access in February but before the closed pre-sale to purchase up to 4 tickets per match for any match up to a total maximum of 52 tickets. A Superfan Pass cost AUD$750. They were limited to 1 per person & cannot be resold. If you purchased a Superfan Pass, match tickets are still sold for a separate but normal retail price.
The Superfan Passes went on sale on August 5 at 2pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (UTC+10), with only 2027 Superfan Passes on sale.
The Rugby World Cup – Australia 2027 will begin on Friday the 1st of October 2027, with its final on Saturday the 13th of November 2027.
Correction: The original article said the Superfan passes gave the buyer guaranteed access before January. It has since been found to be in February but before the closed pre-sale.
World Rugby has unveiled the ticketing programme for the Rugby World Cup – Australia 2027 at an event in Sydney/Gadigal.
The event & subsequent announcement was held on July 29.
Over 2.5 million tickets are available – the most ever offered for sale for the Rugby World Cup – with 1.5 million (60%) selling for over AUD$100 for every tournament stage with pool match tickets starting at AUD$40 for adults. Adult tickets for Wallabies (Australian team) matches will start from AUD$65.
Tickets for children (aged 2+) start at AUD$20 for every match except for the final & semi-finals. Children aged under 2 can attend for free.
The online ticketing platform has no hidden fees & is fully accessible. Fans will be able to purchase wheelchair bay seats alongside free companion tickets & easy access seating will be available for those with specific mobility or accessibility needs.
All revenue generated by Rugby World Cup – Australia 2027 will be reinvested in rugby union, supporting World Rugby’s global growth ambition, its’ 134 member unions & 6 regional associations.
The 1st tickets went on sale on Wednesday July 30 when ticket-inclusive Premium Experience & Hospitality Packages for selected matches became available online. Available for only 8 matches including the opening match and the final, these packages included immersive experiences.
On the 5th of August at 2pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) (UTC+10), 2027 new Superfan Passes were sold online. These weren’t tickets but instead are personal non-transferable passes that gave the buyer guaranteed access in February but before the closed pre-sale to purchase up to 4 tickets per match for any match up to a total maximum of 52 tickets. A Superfan Pass cost AUD$750. They were limited to 1 per person & cannot be resold. If you purchased a Superfan Pass, match tickets are still sold for a separate but normal retail price (see above for match ticket prices).
In January, a range of domestic & international travel packages will go on sale. These will include tickets, travel, accommodation & tour experiences.
If you register on the official event website & create a ticketing account before the end of January, you can access the closed pre-sale, which will feature all matches & all price categories, in February.
A general application phase for further tickets will then be held for 3 weeks in May. During this phase, you can request tickets for any match and price category, which if the latter receives more requests than available tickets, a ballot system will be implemented to ensure fairness.
The match schedule will be announced in January.
The pool draw will be held in December with the bands being determined by the World Rugby Men’s Rankings.
Rugby World Cup – Australia 2027 is expected to attract 250,000 international visitors over the 6-week event from 1 October-13 November 2027.
Key Dates
Wednesday 30 July 2025 – Premium Experience & Hospitality Packages on sale
Tuesday5 August 2025 at 2pm AEST (UTC+10)– Superfan Passes on sale
December 2025 – Pool Draw
January 2026 – Domestic & International Travel Packages on sale
January 2026 – Match schedule announced
End of January 2026 – Closed Pre-Sale registration closes
February 2026 – Superfan Passholders ticket purchases open
After but in February 2026 – Closed Pre-Sale
May 2026 for 3 weeks – General Application Phase
This ticketing program has been designed with 1 simple principle: put the fans first. For the 1st time in over 2 decades, the Rugby World Cup returns to Australian shores & we’re determined to make it bigger, bolder and more accessible than ever before.
With more than 2.5 million tickets available, a wide range of pricing options & innovations like the Superfan Pass, we’re giving every fan — whether lifelong supporter or 1st-time attendee — the chance to be part of something truly special.
Rugby World Cup2027 is more than a tournament. It’s a celebration of everything great about our game. It’s about reigniting the love for rugby, inspiring a new generation & showcasing our values to the world. We want every ticket, every cheer, every moment to help grow the game worldwide.
World Rugby has announced CBS Entertainment Group will broadcast the Rugby World Cups – Australia 2027-29 in the United States Of America (USA).
The announcement was made on May 23 this year.
Streaming platform, Paramount +, will stream live & on-demand every match of the Rugby World Cups – Australia 2027-29 with select matches airing on linear platforms, CBS Broadcasting Inc. & CBS Sports Network.
Today’s announcement is a generational moment for rugby in the United States. This landmark partnership with CBS Sports and Paramount+ is tangible proof of our commitment to grow the game by connecting great rugby with sports fans wherever they are.
With their incredible reach and storytelling pedigree, CBS Sports and Paramount+ will be instrumental in building a coast-to-coast rugby community in a country already boasting over 800,000 players, a dynamic college system, a huge growth rise in women’s rugby, growing men’s professional league & a fanbase of nearly 40 million.
Alan Gilpin, World Rugby Chief Executive
By adding these championship events to our platforms, we’re elevating rugby’s presence nationwide and providing fans for the 1st time unmatched access to some of the sport’s most prestigious competitions.
Dan Weinberg, CBS Sports ProgrammingExecutive Vice-President
While the CBS Sports Programming Executive Vice-President announced the broadcast deal as “elevating rugby’s presence nationwide” & “providing fans for the 1st time unmatched access to some of the sport’s most prestigious competitions” in 2023, when the last Rugby World Cup (men’s edition) was held, all matches were streamed live on Peacock with select matches on NBC & CNBC – thus meaning in 2027 – the year of the next tournament – the broadcast won’t be “elevated” or providing fans “for the 1st time unmatched access”. It will be the same as 2023. It should be pointed out that coverage of the Rugby World Cup – Australia 2029 will be the same as the Rugby World Cup – England 2025, adding to the lack of ‘elevation’ & “unmatched access” by tournament time in 2029.
The Rugby World Cups – Australia 2027-29 will begin on Friday the 1st of October 2027 with the men’s tournament, with its final on Saturday the 13th of November 2027. The women’s tournament will be held in 2029 with dates yet to be determined but are likely to be held roughly in the same months as the preceding men’s tournament.
Our mission is to bring rugby to new audiences nationwide & this partnership between World Rugby and CBS Sports marks an extraordinary leap forward. By showcasing both our USA Eagles & broader international competition, we’re building bridges between American sports fans & the excitement of the global game. Together with CBS Sports & World Rugby, we’re proud to lay a new foundation for rugby’s future in the United States.
World Rugby has announced that, for the 1st time ever in the professional era (since 1995), the pool draw for the Rugby World Cup – Australia 2027 will take place with all participating teams known.
The pool draw for the Rugby World Cup – Australia 2027 will take place in December 2025 with its bands being determined by the World Rugby Men’s Rankings at the end of the November international window.
This will ensure the seeding process for the 6 pools of 4 teams is more accurate & up to date.
World Rugby Chair, Brett Robinson, said at least 1 nation from each of their regional associations will participate at the Rugby World Cup – Australia 2027.
The tournament will also feature 52 matches – an increase of 4 from the previous total of 48 matches.
This announcement was made on May 22 this year.
The Rugby World Cup – Australia 2027 will begin on Friday the 1st of October 2027, with its final on Saturday the 13th of November 2027.
World Rugby has announced 9 Entertainment will broadcast the Rugby World Cups – Australia 2027-29 in Australia.
The announcement was made on May 12 this year.
The broadcasts will be on 9’s leading streaming & broadcast platforms including 9, 9Now, Stan Sport & radio.
Stan Sport will show live & on demand every match of the Rugby World Cups – Australia 2027-29 while the 9 Network will show live & free half of the Rugby World Cup – Australia 2027 including the final, semi-finals & every Wallabies (Australian team) match as well as half of the Rugby World Cup – Australia 2029 including every Wallaroos (Australian team) match.
World Rugby & 9 are uniting to deliver unprecedented visibility for the sport & its stars in Australia, ensuring the next generation of rugby fans is inspired by the action both on & off the field. As we enter a golden decade for the sport in Australia, we are excited to continue our fruitful relationship with 9 all the way to 2 era-defining Rugby World Cups in 2027 & 2029.
Alan Gilpin, World Rugby Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
While the World Rugby CEO announced the broadcast deal as delivering “unprecedented visibility”, in 2003, when Australia last hosted the Rugby World Cup (men’s edition), 54% of the tournament’s matches (26/48) were shown on free-to-air television in Australia – just over half – thus meaning in 2027 when Australia hosts the tournament again, the broadcast won’t have unprecedented visibility – in fact, it will have at least slightly less. It should be pointed out that coverage of the Rugby World Cup – Australia 2029 will be the same as the Rugby World Cup – England 2025, adding to the lack of unprecedented visibility by tournament time in 2029.
The Rugby World Cups – Australia 2027-29 will begin on Friday the 1st of October 2027 with the men’s tournament, with its final on Saturday the 13th of November 2027. The women’s tournament will be held in 2029 with dates yet to be determined but are likely to be held roughly in the same months as the preceding men’s tournament.
This landmark partnership is all about reigniting the love of rugby down under. With 9’s unmatched reach, expert analysis & comprehensive coverage across its broadcast and digital platforms, we are ensuring rugby is accessible to a wide audience & offering a unique and immersive destination for fans in the country.
Brett Robinson, World Rugby Chair
Securing the rights to these global events is a testament to 9’s long-term strategy & deep commitment to delivering value for audiences, partners and shareholders. Major sporting bodies know they can trust 9 to bring an exceptional experience for fans that builds interest not just in the event but also engagement in their sport. Rugby is living proof of that value 9 brings.
Catherine West, 9 Chair
The Rugby World Cup agreement reinforces the power of 9. Whether it’s streaming on 9Now or Stan Sport, watching at home on 9 Network, listening on radio or getting the analysis across our publishing mastheads, 9 can bring the game to Australian audiences like no other media company can. It not just cements 9 as the home of rugby, it strengthens our position as the place for iconic national & international sport with an unmatched ability to reach audiences across any & every platform. It’s not just the fans that benefit from this partnership with World Rugby, our sponsors & advertisers know they can trust 9 to elevate their brands & engage with audiences in a meaningful and impactful way that adds to the experience for our audiences.
Ticketmaster has been announced as the official ticketing service provider of the Rugby World Cups – Australia 2027-29.
The announcement was made at Ticketmaster’s Legends In Sport event in London, the United Kingdom.
The Rugby World Cups – Australia 2027-29 will begin on Friday the 1st of October 2027 with the men’s tournament, with its final on Saturday the 13th of November 2027. The women’s tournament will be held in 2029 with dates yet to be determined but are likely to be held roughly in the same months as the preceding men’s tournament.
Ticketmaster is playing a key role in supporting our mission to grow the global game by making the sport more accessible & more relevant to a wider and global audience. The collaboration has proven to be particularly successful in making women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025 the most sought-after women’s sporting ticket of the year & the biggest women’s rugby event ever.
With men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups at the centrepiece of a golden decade of rugby in Australia & a gateway to a new era of rugby, the extension of our collaboration with Ticketmaster is a natural progression & reflects our ambition to break records in Australia.
Alan Gilpin, World Rugby Chief Executive
We are proud to be partnering with World Rugby to deliver one of the biggest sports tournaments in the world. As a leader in ticketing world-class sporting events, the teams at Ticketmaster look forward to delivering a seamless experience for rugby fans across the globe who will make their way to Australia for men’s and women’s World Cup events.
Gavin Taylor, Ticketmaster Australia Managing Director
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.
Rugby World Cup 2027 – Australia Host Cities Announcement at The Theatre Bar 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)
Rugby World Cup 2027 – Australia Host Cities 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.
Rugby World Cup 2003 – Australia Capping Ceremony Fireworks 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:
The Webb Ellis Cup in Sydney. 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.
Circular Quay drone shows, Vivid Sydney water shows, Handa Opera On Sydney Harbour, Australia SailGP & fireworks from barges over Sydney Harbour at any time of the year are under threat from a proposed high-density housing development at Glebe Island. This does not affect Sydney NYE2024 (the upcoming edition).
Glebe Island is home to a port with 260 metres of deep waterfront wharf space, where Handa Opera On Sydney Harbour‘s enormous stage is prepared before been moved to Fleet Steps. Barges & pontoons are also moored at Glebe Island for the preparation of pyrotechnic displays & drone shows held from them. For the pyrotechnics, cranes are used to load the fireworks onto the barges & pontoons while for both drones & fireworks, the barges & pontoons are then moved into Sydney Harbour (or in the drone shows’ case, moored at Campbells’ Cove) for the displays. The same also applies for the annual water show held in Cockle Bay during Vivid Sydney, whose water pump infrastructure is first prepared at Glebe Island while Australia SailGP requires the delivery of 120 shipping containers.
Sydney New Year’s Eve (NYE), the most significant annual pyrotechnic event on Sydney Harbour, uses 6 barges and 4 pontoons. Without these, the display would be reduced to just the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House & city buildings. Fireworks displays at any other time of year & drone/water shows as well as Handa Opera On Sydney Harbour & Australia SailGP will be impossible to be held.
And according to Adam Huie of Banks Events, who has helped produce Sydney Spectaculars (the events, not the blog) since 1997, that’s what will happen if Glebe Island is no longer a port.
First things first, Glebe Island is a bit of a misnomer. It was an island originally, but it doesn’t exist anymore. It was joined to the mainland just over a century ago but now, fast forward to 2016.
On the 14th of November 2016, the New South Wales (NSW) Government announced Sydney Metro West, an underground rapid transit line. One of its proposed stations is to be at The Bays precinct, “Sydney’s new innovation hub where 95 hectares of land is being regenerated”.
Green: Glebe Island, Brown: Reclaimed Land, Blue Line: Sydney Metro West (under construction), Blue Boxes: Sydney Metro West Stations (under construction).
At the time, the land regeneration wasn’t to include Glebe Island, which was instead marked as “for further study”.
The Bays Precinct Urban Renewal Area In 2014 Image: The Sydney Morning Herald
And indeed, further study it was, in secret. On the 25th of July this year, The Sydney Morning Herald revealed that the NSW Government had secretly commissioned a review into Glebe Island. The now not-so-secret review is being undertaken by Michael Schur, a consultant who was a former NSW Treasury secretary in 2011, who will also review the non-cruise ship terminal portion of the White Bay foreshore. He will be assessing options including:
Retaining the ports with no nearby high-density housing
Moving the ports for nearby high-density housing
Building a hybrid model
The proposal by the NSW Government to turn it into high-density housing is made due to the now-under construction The Bays Metro Station, which would be able to handle large amounts of passengers & therefore, potential residents. The NSW Government later admitted the review was real.
Tom Forrest, Urban Taskforce Chief Executive said Glebe Island had the potential to be Sydney’s next Barangaroo which he described as “vibrant, open & perfect” but industry wants to stay at Glebe Island.
For example, the Port Authority of NSW, a corporation of the NSW Government, while supporting the Schur review, is opposed to the Glebe Island port closing down or being relocated. As noise, pollution & truck movements are all key considerations in whether the hybrid model can work, they even warned against that option, saying “sensitive uses” near ports & shipping threatened to upset operations. It is this position that has led event producers to not make a collective submission.
The NSW Liberal Party is also opposed to the relocation while Stuart Aryes, Urban Development Institute Of Australia, Chief Executive said a mixed-use precinct “could be a new jewel in the Sydney Harbour crown”.
The City Of Sydney, in a statement (below), gave a response which sounds like a wait and see approach with supreme confidence. The confidence is justified as Glebe Island/White Bay has not always been the location the pyrotechnic barges been prepared from. For example, in 1996, Wooloomooloo was the location for the set-up of the main barge used in the 9pm Family Fireworks that year. It relocated to White Bay/Glebe Island the following year.
However, Adam Huie told Sydney Spectaculars (the blog this time) that Wooloomooloo is “now occupied by other uses and unavailable”. You can read his full comments, which were published by The Daily Telegraph, at the bottom of this article.
The review is likely to be published by the end of the year.
The Sydney NYE2024 Glebe Island media call is on Friday the 27th of December at 10am & it wouldn’t be a surprise if questions are asked there about this situation.
Sydney NYE2024 is on at 7:30pm on the 31st of December while Australia SailGP returns on the 8th-9th of February with Handa Opera On Sydney Harbour 2025 being held between March 21 and April 20 & will be musical Guys & Dolls this edition.
There is a range of things that you could do with Glebe Island that are better than the way it has been used for a long period of time & one of those is obviously housing.
Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister Of Australia
If the government has an announcement to make, it will be made at an appropriate time.
NSW Government Spokesperson
The harbour is our jewel in the crown & Glebe Island supports that gem. Our harbour is also more complex & multifaceted than people realise so while we excel at events, they need a platform supporting them.
Margy Osmond, Tourism & Transport Forum Australia Chief Executive Officer
The government’s own department is telling them that this is a bad idea – that should tell you all you need to know.
Natalie Ward, NSW Legislative Councillor
Any proposed plans for the Glebe Island site is a matter for the state government.
Our experience over the years has meant we are adept at working around evolving changes to the event’s production to ensure we continue to deliver one of the world’s most spectacular New Year’s Eve celebrations.
City Of Sydney Spokesperson
(Barangaroo) That’s the sort of vision we need to see. Maintaining Sydney as a quasi-working harbour was a prospect that was abandoned by governments 30 years ago. Continuing to operate a hybrid model ensures the Bays Precinct will fail to deliver its potential. The last thing we want is to keep that giant hardstand area in order to satisfy the old Maritime Services Board.
Tom Forrest, Urban Taskforce Chief Executive
Sydney will struggle to be a better city without Glebe Island. The thought that the fireworks & other major events could be in jeopardy is truly alarming. Access to Glebe Island for preparing events is vital for the events sector & for Sydney’s economy, tourism and culture.
Paul Nicolau, Business Sydney Executive Director
We live here because of the working harbour.
Elizabeth Elenius, Pyrmont Action Group Founder
We use Glebe Island for a lot of events that mean so much to this city.
Because the Port Authority has had management of the site and their support for events is strong. We’ve seen that as the state government supporting our events but this report that’s coming has given everyone the jitters. We don’t know what is going on. These events are too important to Sydney. People around the world know us for our NYE celebrations. It would be terrible if we had to scale that back because a necessary work site was not available.
There’s quite a number of events that use that space as an essential part of their work. There’s Australia Day, Vivid, SailGP and Opera On The Harbour. They would all have major issues putting on some of their events without Glebe Island.
The drone show for Vivid in June required 110m of wharf space at Glebe Island for 4 weeks to build a barge & install the equipment allowing 800 drones to take off. Every city in the world that SailGP operates in, they deliver essentials by ship & set up on a wharf. If Sydney doesn’t have Glebe Island port, where are they going to go? All these events need waterfront access on the harbour.
People have spent years trying to work out how to deliver the New Year’s Eve fireworks if Glebe Island suddenly wasn’t available. We’ve never come up with a solution. The only sensible option would be to scale back on the event & surely no one wants that. Sydney has one of the best fireworks displays in the world, but the event could not be done the way it’s currently done without that Glebe Island facility.
I’d laugh at anyone suggesting (Port Botany, Kembla, Newcastle) that. There’s no way you’d be loading barges there & then shipping them here. Logistics require clear weather windows of opportunity. It would be unworkable, virtually impossible but why does that even have to be considered when we’ve got a working wharf right here?
The visual identity for the Rugby World Cup 2027 – Australia (men’s edition) was unveiled today.
With a focus on a “new era” in the sport, which is a reference to increased inclusivity, excitement & ambition, the visual identity utilises an orange hue to represent the Earth & the Sun’s warmth while lines symbolise multiple physical phenomena like coastlines, rivers & rock layers, which converge onto the Rugby World Cup ball, with the letters ‘RWC’ in it. The ‘RWC’ ball is a permanent feature of the logo, having been introduced for the Rugby World Cup 2025 – England (women’s edition).
Woven into the visual identity is an Indigenous tapestry by Riki Salam from We Are 27 Creative that symbolises 3 significant spiritual elements of First Nations cultures – land, sea & the sky.
Together, the whole visual identity represents a united Australia’s diverse geography.
The unveiling of the visual identity was accompanied by the publishing of the official website for the men’s tournament: https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2027/
You can also check out more of the visual identity here, with this image showing the tournament’s qualification process for the 12 remaining slots:
With permission, cultural knowledge & deep respect, our goal was to represent the diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islands cultures from across Australia in a contemporary design. I’m truly impressed with the outcome & how seamlessly my work integrates into the Rugby World Cup 2027 visual identity while also contributing to greater global awareness of Indigenous peoples & cultures.
Riki Salam, ‘We Are 27 Creative’ Indigenous Artist
As preparations gather momentum, we are excited to unveil the visual identity for Australia 2027 bringing the tournament to life for all rugby enthusiasts out there. With its rich cultural heritage & beautiful landscapes, Australia will be a fantastic backdrop to kick-off rugby’s new era of entertainment and openness & we look forward to welcoming rugby fans and newcomers to this nation-wide celebration of rugby.
Chris Stanley, ‘Rugby World Cup’ 2027 – Australia Managing Director
Australia 2027 represents more than just a tournament. It is a powerful statement about the future of our sport & the way we can grow the game by making it even more inclusive and entertaining. The expanded format, combined with a fresh, bold vision and visual identity, will showcase the very best of rugby to audiences worldwide & cement its own place in Rugby World Cup history with a fantastic display of Australian cultures and a positive rugby & societal legacy for Australians & the sport across the region.
Sydney Spectaculars 
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