Victoria has thirst for Rugby World Cup final at the MCG

After dumping the Commonwealth Games the Dan Andrews’ government is as ‘keen as mustard’ to host the rugby World Cup final at the MCG in 2027.

The MCG has successully hosted Bledisloe Cup games at MCG.

Victoria’s reputation as a sporting hub may be in tatters following its sensational dumping of the Commonwealth Games, but the state is as “keen as mustard” to throw money at World Rugby to host the final of its showpiece event in 2027.

It’s a bold move for a state that is not traditionally associated with rugby union to want to host the World Cup final over Sydney.

The coveted Bledisloe Cup will be played at the MCG next Saturday as part of an estimated $20 million deal that Rugby Australia struck with the Victorian government in 2017 for Melbourne to host six Wallabies games over eight years, including a match against the British and Irish Lions in 2025.

Melbourne also remains a contender to host the 2027 World Cup final despite Premier Dan Andrews’ citing cost blowouts as the reason for the axing of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

An event industry insider said a hosting package including rights to the World Cup final could reach $100 million or more.

Rugby Australia chair Hamish McLennan said the Victorian government was eager to host the final of the World Cup in 2027. The MCG has a capacity of a touch more than 100,000.

“We’ve heard very recently that the Victorian government is as keen as mustard,” McLennan told The Weekend Australian.

“Perhaps the backlash from the Commonwealth Games, that situation will work in our favour, but in any event we have great options in New South Wales and WA.”

“I’m not particularly worried one way or another.”

The rights to host the final is expected to be hotly contested with both Melbourne and Sydney keen to host in 2027.

World Rugby rules state a venue must hold 60,000 fans to host its championship final. There are only three venues in Australia that meet the criteria: Accor Stadium in Sydney, Optus Stadium in Perth and the MCG in Melbourne.

Melbourne Rebels chair Paul Docherty dismissed concerns over Victoria’s reliability, stating that the Rugby World Cup and Commonwealth Games were incomparable and that the city had the sporting pedigree to host the final.

“I don’t think you can compare a regional Comm Games with the Rugby World Cup finals in Melbourne,” Docherty said. “The Rugby World Cup at the MCG with the Melbourne Park Precinct and AAMI Park as live sites for fans, is core business for Melbourne.

“The Boxing Day Tests, the AFL grand final, ICC World Cup finals, the list goes on — and still the only city in the world with a tennis major and a grand prix. I’m confident we will put our best foot forward for the Rugby World Cup in 2027.”

More than a dozen venues were used for the 2003 World Cup in Australia, but World Rugby has since moved to cut the venues due to costs. Between eight and 10 stadiums will be used in 2027.

Rugby Australia has estimated both its world cups (including the women’s in 2029) will deliver a combined $2.8 billion in direct and indirect expenditure and create 14,000 jobs. Two million fans and around 217,000 tourists are expected across both the 2027 and 2029 women’s World Cup. Four billion people are expected to watch the tournaments.

The assurances that the Victorian government is still keen to host comes off what has been described as an “embarrassing” episode for not just the state, but Australia as a sporting nation.

Olympic supremo John Coates, who was part of the Australian Rugby World Cup committee to secure the 2027 event, slammed the handling of the Commonwealth Games.

“This is a terrible embarrassment to Australian sport,” Coates, who is vice-president of the International Olympic Committee, told The Weekend Australian this week.

“We shouldn’t be bidding for events unless we know that we have the necessary commitments and support of the various governments – and unless the business case stacks up, clearly though from what Daniel Andrews is telling us now, it didn’t – and it didn’t support (the business case).’

“I think the other thing is and we’re seeing now the individual sport model goes pretty well because it’s over a longer period.

“The Matildas are playing for an extended period with 32 teams involved in the World Cup.

“The Rugby World Cup in 2027 – I believe they will be a great successes.

“ And you have to wonder then, what is the future for the Commonwealth Games?”