Rugby Australia welcomes World Rugby’s confirmation of the host cities for the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia.
The expanded 24-team tournament will be contested across seven cities - Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney and Townsville - between October 1 and November 13, 2027.
This will be the third time Australia has hosted or co-hosted rugby’s showpiece event.
The tournament is projected to inject more than $2 billion into the Australian economy and will establish long-term legacy programs for rugby across communities around the country.
The Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 is an important part of Australian Rugby’s “golden decade” of events, which includes this year’s British and Irish Lions tour, the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029 and the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane.
Rugby Australia Chief Executive Phil Waugh said the positive impacts from the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 would be felt for generations to come.
“The Rugby World Cup is among the planet’s biggest sporting events and Australia is incredibly excited to welcome the world to the 2027 edition,” Waugh said.
“Australia has a rich history of hosting major tournaments – indeed, we co-hosted the first ever Rugby World Cup almost 40 years ago – and I have no doubt this event will captivate and enthral the hundreds of thousands attending in-stadium and the hundreds of millions viewing around the world.
“A Rugby World Cup presents a unique opportunity for our country. From the positive economic impacts, to the energising of the fan base, to the inspiration provided to the next generation of players, RWC 2027 will leave a legacy that will be felt in Australia for many years to come.
“And as for the players, representing your country at a home World Cup is the absolute pinnacle. Taking the field for the final in 2003 was among the greatest honours of my career and I am delighted this generation of Wallabies will have the privilege of experiencing the emotion, excitement and joy of pulling on the gold jersey before our passionate fans at a World Cup in own backyard.”
Rugby Australia Chair Daniel Herbert, a member of the 1999 World Cup-winning Wallabies, said Australia was ready to welcome the world in 2027.
“Australia is renowned throughout the world for hosting outstanding global sporting events and I have no doubt the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 will live up to those lofty standards,” Herbert said. “The opportunity for Australian rugby over the next few years with the British and Irish Lions visit, two World Cups and a home Olympics is truly extraordinary and one we are ready to build upon, with anticipated growth for grassroots and community rugby expected to reach unprecedented levels.
“The standard of rugby around the world at the moment is at an all-time high and Australian audiences will be right behind the Wallabies in what promises to be a fast, entertaining tournament in 2027. We are also excited to host the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029 and wish the Wallaroos all the best for the 2025 edition in England.
“Rugby Australia thanks World Rugby, state and federal government partners, our sponsors and fans for supporting our bid to host the 2027 World Cup.”
Incumbent Wallabies captain Harry Wilson added: “It’s hard to put into words how significant a Rugby World Cup on home soil is, and 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 and what that buzz was like for the local community.
“As players the World Cup is certainly in the back of our minds, and we know the whole country will be right behind us in a little over two years’ time.”
