Australia bidding to host the 2027 Rugby World Cup
Australia has launched a bid to bring the Rugby Union World Cup back to the country and three stadiums are in contention to host the Final.
Rugby Australia Chairman Hamish McLennan and Bid Advisory Board Chair Sir Rod Eddington AO FTSE unveiled the country’s ‘Game On’ campaign at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney today.
The tournament was last held in Australia in 2003 in what was a successful event, with packed stadiums for matches around the country.
The 2003 Rugby World Cup final was held at Stadium Australia, with England defeating the Wallabies by 3 points in front of 82,957 spectators, however the Sydney Olympic stadium is no guarantee to host the final again should Australia win the right to host the tournament.
The NSW Government abandoned plans last year to rebuild Stadium Australia and as yet, no plans have re-emerged to upgrade the venue. However, a successful bid for the 2027 tournament or even a future FIFA World Cup could see those plans brought back on the table.
World Rugby rules stipulate that a Rugby World Cup final must be held at a stadium with seating capacity of 60,000 plus, which rules out Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium. Australia’s bid team are looking at Optus Stadium in Perth, the MCG in Melbourne, and Stadium Australia in Sydney – the only three stadiums in the country that fit the criteria.
Rugby union currently holds the record attendance at Optus Stadium for a sporting event, when 61,241 fans attended the Bledisloe Cup in 2019, with temporary seating used to boost capacity.
Ultimately, it is World Rugby that will decide where the match will take place, and while the prospect of being able to sell 100,000 tickets at the MCG to maximise ticket revenue may be appealing, Stadium Australia is better suited for rectangular sports and Optus Stadium’s modern facilities and favourable time zone give it an advantage.
Stadiums expected to be utilised for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia are:
- Stadium Australia, Sydney
- Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
- Optus Stadium, Perth
- Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
- Sydney Football Stadium
- AAMI Park, Melbourne
- Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
- Adelaide Oval
- McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
- Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
- GIO Stadium, Canberra
- Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Rugby Australia Chairman Hamish McLennan said: “This is an exciting day for all Australians as we formally put our hand up to host the third-largest sporting event in the world.
“Hosting Rugby World Cup 2027 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Australia, which would drive substantial economic outcomes for our country, while also providing a lasting legacy for Rugby in this region.
“It would also allow us to support the Australian Government’s ambitions around major events in what is shaping up to be a green and gold decade for the nation – from the FIBA Women’s World Cup in 2022, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2022, FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023, the British and Irish Lions Tour in 2025, Netball World Cup in 2027, and the exciting potential of an Olympic Games in Queensland in 2032.
The sport’s global governing body will announce the successful host candidate in May 2022.
