Host Cities announced for Rugby World Cup 2027

Seven host cities have been announced for the Rugby World Cup, which will be staged in Australia between October 1 and November 13, 2027.

Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney and Townsville will host matches during the expanded 24-team tournament, as announced by World Rugby on Thursday.

Perth’s Optus Stadium will host the opening match of the World Cup, which is certain to feature the Wallabies, while the Final will be staged at Accor Stadium, the same venue which hosted the finale of the 2003 edition.

The semi-finals will also be held at the Sydney Olympic Park venue a week earlier, with the third-place playoff taking place on the eve of the final.

Following the opener, Perth will also host four additional pool matches and two round-of-16 matches. New South Wales and Queensland will host the bulk of matches, with games the action also to be played in Newcastle and Townsville during the pool stages.

After fears no matches would be played in Melbourne following the demise of the Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby franchise, a last-minute deal was struck with World Rugby to host seven pool matches and further round-of-16 matches, with the MCG expected to host matches.

Sydney will be the only host city with two stadiums – with matches to be shared between the Allianz Stadium and Accor Stadium.

Four cities which hosted matches during the 2003 tournament have missed out on hosting matches during the 2027 edition: Canberra, Gosford, Launceston and Wollongong. Newcastle is the only city which wasn’t involved last time around to be part of the action in 2027.

At least four stadiums will host Rugby World Cup matches for the first time: Allianz Stadium, McDonald Jones Stadium, Queensland Country Bank Stadium and Optus Stadium.

While the tournament will be shortened by a week, from seven to six, there will be more matches (52), with teams split into six pools of four teams, followed by a newly added round-of-16 then the quarters, semis and final.

The host cities for Rugby World Cup 2027 have been confirmed 🏆

Register your interest now 📲 https://t.co/ZlKMd6siUz#RWC2027 pic.twitter.com/LtIWnYfE6L

— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) January 30, 2025

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 WORLD CUP 2027 HOST CITIES

Adelaide
South Australia
Five pool matches
Stadium: Adelaide Oval

Brisbane
Queensland
Six pool matches, two round of 16 matches and two quarter-finals
Stadium: Suncorp Stadium

Melbourne
Victoria
Seven pool matches and two round of 16 matches
Stadium: MCG (TBC)

Newcastle
New South Wales
Four pool matches
Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium*

Perth
Western Australia
Five pool matches (including the opening match) and two round of 16 matches
Stadium: Optus Stadium*

Sydney
New South Wales
Five pool matches, two round of 16 matches, two quarter-finals, two semi-finals, the bronze final and the RWC final
Stadiums: Allianz Stadium* & Accor Stadium

Townsville
Queensland
Four pool matches
Stadium: Queensland Country Bank Stadium*

*Venue hosting Rugby World Cup matches for the first time

The full inventory of host stadiums and the location of where the host nation Australia will play in the pool phase will be confirmed later in 2025 by World Rugby.

The qualification pathway begins on Friday with the launch of the ‘Journey to Australia 2027’ for teams that are yet to qualify. In 2025, teams worldwide will compete in a series of regional qualifiers, each striving to secure one of the 12 available places for the 2027 tournament.