Australia is set to stage the men’s Rugby World Cup again after being named as the “preferred candidate” to host the 2027 men’s tournament.
In a new approach to the hosting selection process, the World Rugby council has created a ‘preferred candidate’ phase, effectively giving Australia the go-ahead to work with the governing body to host the event for the first time since 2003.
England was given similar backing on Wednesday to host the 2025 women’s Rugby World Cup.
Australia had been in a contest with the United States to stage the 2027 men’s event but the council has effectively ruled out any duel by now indicating that the 2031 event is likely to go the US.
The council said an “exclusive targeted dialogue” would continue with the US in regard to hosting the 2031 tournament and also a women’s edition at some point in the future.
The final hosting rights will be awarded by the council in May next year, World Rugby added, but Wednesday’s decision effectively means Australia can forge ahead with its plans for one of the world’s biggest sports events.
Rugby Australia Chairman Hamish McLennan declared: “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity and we’re now closer than ever before to making that dream a reality. Game On for Australia 2027!”
The announcement comes six months after Australia formally launched its bid, which sparked a series of community events across the country, with current Wallabies being involved.
The 2027 event is projected to attract more than two million people across seven weeks of competition, including 200,000 international visitors, and generate a $2.5 billion boost for the economy.
Organisers say it will create 13,300 jobs and stimulate $500 million in new trade and investment.
McLennan added: “This is an exciting opportunity to shape a tournament which will continue the growth of our great game across Australia, the Pacific and globally and showcase our country to the world.”
Federal Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck said Australia had another opportunity to “showcase our strength as an international host” and added that the tournament would “provide enormous economic benefits to our nation”.
World Rugby chairman, Sir Bill Beaumont, said in a statement: “The new approach to electing Rugby World Cup hosts is more flexible and collaborative.”
World Rugby, he said, would be “working with potential hosts to optimise… proposals and align them with long-term social and economic development plans for the benefit of their communities and the future expansion of the sport.”
The next women’s Rugby World Cup was postponed until next year in New Zealand due to COVID-19.
The next men’s tournament will be held in France in 2023 with the Wallabies set to play on home soil again in the 2027 edition – 24 years since the hosts reached the 2003 final in Sydney.
It promises to be an exciting period for the sport in Australia, with a British and Irish Lions tour there in 2025 with the World Cup in 2027 being a prelude to an Olympics in Brisbane in 2032.
Peter
Roar Rookie
Good One Jim. That's like asking the Board of IAG to return money to it's shareholders instead of unilaterally remunerating themselves for a job poorly done. Rugby like all professional sport if not the nation more generally is victim to corruption and self interest. It is run by an elite for an elite and comes at the expense of everyone else.
BeastieBoy
Roar Rookie
What better way to pay back the massive loan owed to World Rugby.. Last time the same mob blew all the Profit we made and based on history to know.. there is no reason to think that wont happen again..
Tooly
Roar Rookie
They are promising not to waste the money like they did last time forgetting that they have already spent it. Looking at the contingent they sent to Europe nothing has changed in direction of waste.
Jumbo
Guest
Correct, Micko. NZ refused to play England at Twickenham during the international window (because they get no share of gate receipts). However, NZ then expected to be able to use Twickenham to play the Baa Baas! RFU said: "Jog on, lads".
Dave
Guest
I really do enjoy it, 3rd world country coupled with South African natural arrogance makes for good fun
rusty
Roar Rookie
NO!! Not little Otago.
rusty
Roar Rookie
calm down expert!
Peter
Roar Rookie
They should have given it to the USA.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Yeh i think MCG will be locked in. They will want 90+000
JSJ
Roar Rookie
Rugger, There is a massive amount of coaching and nurturing of home grown young players going on in WA at the moment. Many of those should be hitting their straps by 2027. The Force is subject to the same salary cap and squad size restrictions as the other 4 Aus sides, but are attracting some young talent from outside of WA, who dont blow our cap or squad numbers as we develop them.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
The exact opposite actually.....
scrum
Roar Rookie
That’s true but how does that entitle the ABs to access profits from away Tests when no other country can. The current system is the home country pays the expenses of the visiting team but takes the profit. You could argue that because Australia is in one of the most competitive sports markets in the world that they are disadvantaged compared to NZ where Rugby is the national sport with little competition. Surely the home nation should be rewarded for having the ability to maximise profits.
Jim
Guest
Don’t get it. Why all the excitement about hosting it? What does it prove ? Maybe if the money put into hosting it was put into grassroots rugby now then maybe we might be winning it not hosting it.
Colvin Brown
Roar Guru
I think it's more NZ is a small economy with a small population and the profits from home games are small compared with the big economies in Europe. And the ABs are a huge drawcard overseas.
Colvin Brown
Roar Guru
NZR messed up the 2003 issue. From memory, all those in NZR responsible for those decisions were quickly moved out.
biltong
Guest
Doubt it Darren, he embraces the opportunity to denegrate SA. He feels safe in his basement behind a keyboard.
Darren WA
Roar Rookie
Give it a rest Dave you have made your point.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I’m sure it would. There is no way they won’t use a bigger stadium though. It can be extended to 65K, I think? They’ll want to sell more tickets. MCG is a chance since Homebush isn’t as big as it used to be.
Rugger
Guest
Sorry JSJ but WA would have to be producing at least 25% of the starting 23. These are not ‘Jonny-slipped-through-the-salary-cap’ East Coast players, I’m talking home grown and nurtured players. Sydney or Brisbane for the final. IMO, Perth deserves a Semi spot over Melbourne though.
The real SC
Roar Rookie
I think Rugby Australia needs to be careful about AFL and NRL during September 2027. Normally in September, AFL and NRL Finals are being played in this slot. If Australia wins the Rights to host the 2027 Rugby World Cup, then I think that the AFL and the NRL Season will have to start in late February and conclude in late August. This meant that the AFLW season might have to be truncated. The Rugby World Cup Final will be a three way race between Stadium Australia, MCG and Optus Stadium. Stadium Australia can host up to 83 500 people in the stadium, the MCG can host up to 100 024 people, while the Optus Stadium can host up to 65 000. According to the Australian, the Melbourne Cricket Ground would like to host the 2027 Rugby World Cup Final if Australia secures the rights. MCG wasn't used for the 2003 Rugby World Cup (mostly because of domestic cricket commitments). MCG haven't hosted a Rugby Union match since 2007 (with Wallabies v All Blacks). It can help grow the sport more in Victoria. According to the West Australian, the Optus Stadium would also like to host the 2027 Rugby World Cup Final. Former Wallabies Captain, Phil Kearns said that Perth provides a much better time zone for audiences in Europe and South Africa.