Sydney’s Accor Stadium to host 2027 Rugby World Cup final

Sydney is the big winner in the battle between Australian states to host matches at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Sydney’s Accor Stadium has been confirmed as venue for the 2027 Rugby World Cup final.

The 82,000-capacity Homebush venue will also stage both of the tournament’s semi-finals, the playoff for third and two quarter-finals

Perth’s Optus Stadium, which seats 65,000 people, will host the opening game of the 24-team tournament, which runs from October 1 to November 13, 2027.

Brisbane has missed out on staging any of the event’s biggest matches due to Suncorp Stadium’s capacity being only 52,500.

Rugby Australia chief executive officer Phil Waugh says the 2027 World Cup will ‘leave a legacy’. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images for Rugby Australia

However, the famous Milton venue will still host two quarter-finals and two round-of 16 games – as part of a 10-match schedule in Brisbane.

Melbourne will host nine games – including two round-of-16 matches – after a reported late deal between World Rugby and the Victorian government.

Sydney’s Allianz Stadium will also stage games, with the NSW capital to host 13 games – the most of any Australian city – overall.

Seven matches will be played in Perth, five in Adelaide, and four each in Townsville and Newcastle.

World Rugby chairman Brett Robinson said a “commitment” was made to bring the tournament to “as many Australians as possible”.

“We are delighted to reach another significant milestone on our journey to men’s Rugby World Cup 2027,” Robinson said.

“We look forward to working with host cities to make this tournament one for the ages.”

Seven host cities are locked in for Rugby World Cup 2027 🔒

Register your interest now 📲 https://t.co/wTE2RatTyp#Wallabies#RWC2027pic.twitter.com/eMPlhx1N88

— Wallabies (@wallabies) January 30, 2025

Rugby Australia chief executive officer Phil Waugh – who played for the Wallabies in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final in Sydney – had “no doubt” the tournament would “captivate and enthral the hundreds of thousands attending in-stadium, and the hundreds of millions viewing around the world”.

“(The 2027 World Cup) will leave a legacy that will be felt in Australia for many years

to come,” Waugh said.

“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 own backyard.”

RWC 2027 HOST CITIES MATCH ALLOCATION:

Adelaide - five pool matches

Brisbane - six pool matches, two round of 16 matches, two quarter-finals

Melbourne - seven pool matches, two round of 16 matches

Newcastle - four pool matches

Perth - five pool matches (including the opening match), two round of 16 matches

Sydney - five pool matches, two round of 16 matches, two quarter-finals, two semi-finals, the bronze final and the RWC final.

Townsville - four pool matches

Originally published as Sydney’s Accor Stadium to host 2027 Rugby World Cup final