Rugby fans in Queensland will have a smorgasbord of matches to enjoy when the state hosts 14 matches during the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Today’s long-awaiting reveal of venues for rugby’s biggest party presented Brisbane Stadium (Lang Park) with 10 games and North Queensland Stadium in Townsville with four.
That's up from the 12 hosted by the state at the 2003 edition which is credit to the Queensland Government for pursuing a strong slice of matches.
As importantly, two of the Brisbane games will be huge quarter-finals when fans and players from four nations converge on the south-east corner of Queensland. In addition, two of the matches will be Round-of-16 knockout matches.
"We have the best rectangular stadium in Australia here in Brisbane. It's the atmosphere, the fans being right on top of the action and there not being a bad seat in the house," said James Horwill, the Wallabies captain at the 2011 Rugby World Cup and a Queensland Rugby Union board member.
"I've felt that as a player and a supporter in the stands.
"For Brisbane to be hosting so many games means players and fans alike will have one of the great World Cup experiences right here in Queensland."
The breakdown means Queenslanders should expect the Wallabies to play one pool match in Brisbane and potentially have World Cup rugby over five weekends in a row to open the tournament.
The tournament has been scheduled for October 1 to November 13.
Minister for Sport Tim Mander said the announcement was a major coup for Queensland.
“Queensland has secured nearly a third of the matches for the Men’s Rugby World Cup,” Minister Mander said.
“The tournament is more than just a competition, it’s a global celebration.
“We expect that the Rugby World Cup will encourage Queenslanders to be more active, boosting participation in sport and leaving a lasting legacy.
“Having the world’s best players competing here in both South-East Queensland and in North Queensland also provides a rare opportunity for local kids to see their heroes in action.”
Former Wallabies winger Lote Tuqiri played in front of two big, boisterous crowds at Brisbane Stadium in 2003 when his team beat Romania and Scotland.
He too picked up on the benefit for youngsters as Wests juniors Jack Cameron, 10, Beth Groves, 11, and Edward Bryce, 12, joined the announcement at Brisbane Stadium.
“The World Cup will be amazing for kids. To see so many international stars in Brisbane and Townsville will get everyone pumped for rugby. I am already,” Tuqiri said.
“I got to play in Brisbane at the 2003 World Cup. It was two wins for two games and the fans really got into it.”
Horwill got a different view because he was just 18 at the time. He was a fan first before becoming a Wallaby in 2007 and a World Cup captain in 2011 in New Zealand.
"I was just out of school when I went along to watch the Wallabies v Scotland quarter-final in Brisbane at the 2003 World Cup. I still remember the whole vibe. As a young guy building into a rugby career it helped solidify that I wanted to be a part of something this big," Horwill said.
Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said the 2027 tournament is “set to generate more than $212 million in visitor spend for the state’s economy and put the eyes of the world on Queensland less than five years before the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
Townsville Councillor and three-time Olympian Suzy Batkovic said the announcement was fantastic news for the city.
“In Townsville, we are well versed in hosting world-class sporting events, so to be able to host four Rugby World Cup games in 2027 will be a real hit and not just for our rugby fanatics, but the whole community,” Cr Batkovic said.
FAST FACTS ABOUT THE 2027 RUGBY WORLD CUP
- Tournament dates: October 1 – Nov 13, 2027
- Format: Up from 20 to 24 teams in six pools of four. 16 qualify for Round-of-16 Knockout Stage
- Matches: Up from 48 to 52
- Matches played in seven localities across Australia – Sydney (13), Brisbane (10), Melbourne (9), Perth (7) and Adelaide (5), Townsville (4) and Newcastle (4)
- Perth to host the opening game of the tournament featuring the Wallabies
- Sydney to host two quarter-finals, both semi-finals, the play-off for third and the final
- The full inventory of host venues and where the Wallabies will play in pool games will be announced in late 2025
- Fans can register their interest to be the first to know about tickets at www.rugbyworldcup.com/2027
Rugby Australia Chief Executive Phil Waugh added: “Rugby World Cup is among the planet’s biggest sporting events and Australia is incredibly excited to welcome the world to the 2027 edition.
“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 the hundreds of thousands attending in-stadium and the hundreds of millions viewing around the world.
“As for the players, representing your country at a home Rugby 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 Men’s Rugby World Cup in their own backyard.”
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 NSW with my family, when Australia last held the tournament in 2003 and what that buzz was like for the local community. As players, Rugby 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.”
