Australia have been confirmed as the hosts of the 2027 men’s Rugby World Cup.
A vote by World Rugby Council in Dublin unanimously approved Australia as the first country to host the showpiece men’s Rugby event for a third time in 2027.
The country previously staged the inaugural event in 1987 before hosting again in 2003 when the Wallabies reached the final before losing out in dramatic fashion to England.
Australia will also welcome the women’s tournament for the first time in 2029.
“This is an incredible day for our Country and our game and in many ways, the start of a new era for Australian Rugby,” RA CEO Andy Marinos said in a statement.
“Through Rugby World Cup 2027 and 2029 we look forward to sharing this great game, showcasing our beautiful and diverse country and its people and importantly growing the sport in communities all over the country.
“We now have a golden decade of Rugby in front of us, with the British & Irish Lions series in 2025, Rugby World Cups in 2027 and 2029, 2032 Olympic Games and a host of international men’s and women’s teams due to visit Australia for XVs and 7s fixtures. Australia will become the centre of the Rugby world over the next decade and that is incredibly exciting.
“This is a chance to grow in every sense of the word, providing aspirational pathways and unprecedented investment and support for our players, from the grassroots to the elite, in our infrastructure and in our people.
“So to all of the boys and girls out there who dream of playing for their country, I hope that today provides you with an incredible level of excitement about what you can do in our great game of Rugby – playing for your country in some of the biggest sporting events in the world on home soil.”
Wallabies prop Angus Bell, who will be in his prime for the Rugby World Cup in 2027, labelled it the ‘pinnacle’ and said it creates a major incentive for players to stay in Australia.
“A World Cup is the pinnacle of rugby, and to represent your country at a World Cup is probably the best experience you can have in rugby,” Bell said.
“I definitely want to be in and around the Wallabies in 2027 and hopefully get the chance to represent my country then.”
Brumbies coach and Wallabies assistant Dan McKellar, who was coming through the system when Australia hosted the 2003 World Cup, added: “It’s enormous.
“People that were around and witnessed the 2003 World Cup [saw] the positivity it had on the game. There’s obviously the financial benefits as well, not just to rugby but to any community that is fortunate enough to host a World Cup pool match, quarter-final, semi-final, or final.
“It’s a huge boost for the game and I think it’s going to come at a good time for rugby in this country.”
