Tag: Rugby World Cup

Rugby World Cups 2027-29 Considered An ‘Extraordinary’ Sydney Spectacular Once Again

As of 28th October 2023, Sydney Spectaculars is considering the Rugby World Cups 2027-29 as an ‘extraordinary’ Sydney Spectacular. This follows the removal of the status on the 1st day of competition of the 2023 men’s tournament, following the lack of activation during the FIFA Women’s World Cup: Australia & New Zealand 2023.

The reasoning behind the returning of the status is as follows:

  1. A 3-minute fireworks display, using 2 barges & the upper arch and catwalk of the Sydney Harbour Bridge as well as a Bridge Effect featured after the Rugby World Cup 2003 – Australia Final.
  2. In 2019, World Rugby decided that the words ‘Rugby World Cup’ would now refer to both the men’s and women’s editions.
  3. Sydney is the likely host city of the Opening Match & Final of the Rugby World Cups – Australia 2027-29.
  4. The FIFA Women’s World Cup – Australia & New Zealand 2023 was removed as an ‘extraordinary’ Sydney Spectacular on 5th April 2023 & despite having 13 Sydney landmarks, including the western sails of the Sydney Opera House, lit up in green & gold (except in 1 case where there was no green on the night of a Round Of 16, Quarter-Final, Semi-Final, 3rd Place Playoff or Final match involving the Matildas, this was insufficient for the FIFA Women’s World Cup – Australia & New Zealand 2023 to be returned as an ‘extraordinary’ Sydney Spectacular, particularly as it had no post-final Sydney Harbour fireworks display. The full reasons are detailed here.
  5. The FIFA Women’s World Cup – Australia & New Zealand 2023 had an event attendance of 79,000 per event day.
  6. The Rugby World Cup – France 2023 (men’s edition) had an event attendance of 90,000 per event day.
  7. As the attendance of the men’s tournament of the Rugby World Cup is now higher than the FIFA Women’s World Cup – Australia & New Zealand 2023, Sydney Spectaculars is of the opinion that, as of 28th October 2023, the Rugby World Cups – Australia 2027-29 should have its status as an ‘extraordinary’ Sydney Spectacular returned.

This is a major boost for Sydney’s event industry, culture & night-time economy. We will review this decision again after the Rugby World Cup – England 2025 (women’s edition).

A few days before our decision, World Rugby’s Council announced the biggest changes to the men’s tournament since it was introduced in 1987. The pool draw will be held “as late as possible” while the men’s tournament will be expanded from 20 to 24 teams with the Pool Stage featuring 2 additional pools but with 1 less team per pool (i.e. 6 pools of 4 teams). The tournament is also shortened by 1 week in the Pool Stage with 1 less weekend match day.

The decision to expand Rugby World Cup 2027 to 24 teams is logical & the right thing to do. With its love of sport & major events, Australia is the perfect place to do just that.

Sir Bill Beaumont, World Rugby Chairman

After the Pool Stage, the top 2 teams in each pool plus the best 4 3rd-place teams will qualify for a new a Round Of 16 prior to the Quarter-Finals.

This is a fantastic outcome for the Local Operating Company as we prepare to transfer from future host to next host of the men’s Rugby World Cup. Importantly, the decision made by the Council today will enable the Local Operating Company to move ahead with certainty & finalise the hosting details for the Rugby World Cup in Australia. We look forward to working in partnership with the Australian Government, our State/Territory governments & Rugby Australia over the coming months to do so.

Sir Rod Eddington, Rugby World Cups 2027-29 Board Independent Chairman

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.

Today’s decision is the culmination of a process that began in May 2022 with a new Rugby World Cup hosting model, greater collaboration on reform of the international calendar & recognition that the sport needed to evolve.

A reduced pool phase with a more regular cadence of matches & the introduction of a Round Of 16 makes for a compelling & competitive pool phase where every match counts. To be able to achieve this new format in a reduced window while preserving important player welfare considerations is a huge step forward for the game & great for fans and players.

Alan Gilpin, World Rugby Chief Executive

Collateral Damage: Rugby World Cups 2027-29 No Longer Considered An ‘Extraordinary’ Sydney Spectacular

As of 22nd August 2023, Sydney Spectaculars is no longer considering the Rugby World Cups 2027-29 as an ‘extraordinary’ Sydney Spectacular.

The reasoning behind this judgement is as follows:

  1. A 3-minute fireworks display, using 2 barges & the upper arch and catwalk of the Sydney Harbour Bridge as well as a Bridge Effect featured after the Rugby World Cup 2003 – Australia Final.
  2. A drone show is the modern equivalent of the Bridge Effect.
  3. The FIFA Women’s World Cup – Australia & New Zealand 2023 had an event attendance of 79,000 per event day.
  4. The FIFA Women’s World Cup – Australia & New Zealand 2023 was removed as an ‘extraordinary’ Sydney Spectacular on 5th April 2023. The reasons, at the time, are detailed here.
  5. 19 days into FIFA Women’s World Cup – Australia & New Zealand 2023, 13 Sydney landmarks, including the western sails of the Sydney Opera House, were lit up in gold. In all but one case, green was also added. These illuminations were done on the night of a Round Of 16, Quarter-Final, Semi-Final, 3rd Place Playoff or Final match involving the Matildas. However, this was insufficient for the FIFA Women’s World Cup – Australia & New Zealand 2023 to be readded as an ‘extraordinary’ Sydney Spectacular. The reasons are detailed here.
  6. No Sydney Harbour (Bridge) fireworks display or drone show featured during the FIFA Women’s World Cup – Australia & New Zealand 2023.
  7. In 2019, World Rugby decided that the words ‘Rugby World Cup’ would now refer to both the men’s and women’s editions.
  8. The Rugby World Cup – Australia 2003 (men’s edition) had an event attendance of 66,000 per event day.
  9. The Rugby World Cup – Japan 2019 (men’s edition) had an event attendance of 65,000 per event day.
  10. The Rugby World Cup – New Zealand 2021 (women’s edition held in 2022) had an event attendance of 15,000 per event day.
  11. Sydney is the likely host city of the Opening Match & Final of the Rugby World Cups – Australia 2027-29.
  12. As the Rugby World Cup – Australia 2003, Japan 2019 & New Zealand 2021 all had attendances lower than the FIFA Women’s World Cup – Australia & New Zealand 2023, this means no more than 13 Sydney landmarks, particularly the western sails of the Sydney Opera House, should be lit up in gold during the Rugby World Cups – Australia 2027-29. In all but one case, green is added as well. This would happen only IF the Wallabies or the Wallaroos make it to the Quarter-Finals, Semi-Final, 3rd Place Playoff or Final of those respective future tournaments. Also, no Sydney Harbour (Bridge) fireworks display or drone show should now be expected during those tournaments.

As these illuminations were insufficient to be considered an ‘extraordinary’ Sydney Spectacular for the FIFA Women’s World Cup – Australia & New Zealand 2023, Sydney Spectaculars is of the opinion that the same should apply to the Rugby World Cups – Australia 2027-29, which is, as stated above, now very likely to be an event of less attendance & importance as the just-concluded FIFA Women’s World Cup – Australia & New Zealand 2023.

Therefore, as of 22nd August 2023, Sydney Spectaculars has decided to downgrade the Rugby World Cups – Australia 2027-29 from an ‘extraordinary’ Sydney Spectacular to just another Sydney Spectacular but not a ‘flagship’ Sydney Spectacular as it is not an annual event.

This is another major blow for Sydney’s event industry, culture & night-time economy. As, like with the FIFA Women’s World Cup – Australia & New Zealand 2023, there is a very likely lack of a major Sydney Harbour (Bridge) fireworks display & drone show (which would replace the Bridge Effect), it will be another notable absence in the history of major events in Sydney, reducing the significance or chance of hosting future mega events like the men’s FIFA World Cup.

If Sydney Spectaculars finds out that the either of the Rugby World Cups – Australia 2027-29 will be treated like the Rugby World Cup – Australia 2003 (except with a drone show instead of a Bridge Effect), we will immediately resume coverage of the event but at this stage, it looks very unlikely. There is still every chance for a projection on the Sydney Opera House but. as stated above, this is insufficient. A stand-alone drone show is possible but such a drone show could have been held anywhere in the world – it just would be themed to Australia.

To bring Sydney’s mega event status back to where it belongs, Sydney Spectaculars will also lobby to World Rugby, the New South Wales (NSW) Government & Rugby Australia until those future tournaments are held to put on a Sydney Opera House/Harbour (Bridge) fireworks display & drone show during the Capping and Opening Ceremonies & after the Final as well as tournament-long projection/light shows on the Sydney Opera House/Harbour Bridge during those future tournaments after the failure to do so by the NSW Government, Football Australia & FIFA during the recently-concluded FIFA Women’s World Cup – Australia & New Zealand 2023.

We will review this decision after the Rugby World Cup – France 2023 (men’s edition), which begins today, as well as the Rugby World Cup – England 2025 (women’s edition).

We wish the Rugby World Cups – Australia 2027-29 every success.