SYDNEY — The iconic Olympic Stadium in Sydney, which can accommodate 83,000 spectators, is set to once again present the Rugby World Cup final in 2027, marking 24 years since Australia faced a heartbreaking loss to England in the championship showdown.
On Thursday, organizers for the 2027 Rugby World Cup revealed that Sydney will be a key location, hosting five pool matches, two round-of-16 matches, two quarterfinals, both semifinals, the bronze match, and the final match of the tournament.
In addition to Sydney, six other cities have been designated as hosts for the much-anticipated tournament, which will feature 24 teams and take place from October 1 to November 13, 2027.
Melbourne will play host to seven pool matches and two round-of-16 encounters, while Brisbane will feature six pool matches along with two round-of-16 fixtures and two quarterfinals. Perth will open the tournament with five pool matches and two round-of-16 games, and Adelaide will stage five pool matches as well.
Newcastle, situated north of Sydney, as well as Townsville in Queensland, will also serve as venues, each accommodating four pool matches.
The 2003 World Cup final remains a poignant memory for Australian rugby fans, as Jonny Wilkinson’s last-minute dropped goal secured England a narrow 20-17 victory over the Wallabies in front of a record crowd of 82,957 at the stadium, initially built for the 2000 Olympic Games.
To date, four national teams have claimed the coveted World Cup trophy. South Africa achieved a historic fourth win when they triumphed over New Zealand in the 2023 tournament held in France. New Zealand has taken the title three times, while Australia has won it twice and England once.
Phil Waugh, the chief executive of Rugby Australia and a former Wallaby, expressed immense excitement about the 2027 Rugby World Cup, highlighting its significance as one of the world’s foremost sporting events.
“Our nation has a rich legacy of hosting significant tournaments; we co-hosted the inaugural Rugby World Cup nearly 40 years ago in 1987 with New Zealand,” he stated. “I am confident that this upcoming event will enthrall not only the hundreds of thousands attending in person but also the millions of viewers following along globally.”
Organizers anticipate that the six-week event will attract around 250,000 international visitors, generating approximately 1.3 billion Australian dollars (around $811 million) in direct spending during their stay.
Australia previously co-hosted the first Rugby World Cup in 1987 and secured victories in 1991 and 1999, both of which took place in the UK. The country also reached the finals in 2003 and 2015. Upcoming years will see Australia hosting the British and Irish Lions in mid-2027, along with separate men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups before it takes on the Olympic Games in Brisbane in 2032.
Daniel Herbert, chair of Rugby Australia and a member of the squad that won the World Cup in 1999, emphasized Australia’s reputation for delivering exceptional global sporting events. “The Rugby World Cup 2027 is an incredible prospect for Australian rugby, and with the British and Irish Lions tour, two World Cups, and hosting the Olympics, the next few years will undoubtedly be extraordinary for our sport,” he remarked.
