MCG could host World Cup games after Victorian Government, World Rugby, reopen last-minute talks

The MCG may yet be a host venue for the 2027 Rugby World Cup after the Victorian government and the sport’s global governing body reopened talks to salvage a last-minute deal.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground may yet be included among the host venues for the 2027 Rugby World Cup after the Victorian government and the sport’s global governing body reopened talks in the hope of salvaging a last-minute deal.

Highly-placed sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there was now renewed hope that an agreement could be reached for Melbourne to host several matches, although time is running out.

Senior World Rugby officials have already arrived in Australia ahead of a formal announcement about the venues, which will take place on January 30, at Sydney’s Darling Harbour.

The VIP guest list will include World Rugby chair Brett Robinson and Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh.

The MCG, pictured hosting the Wallabies-All Blacks match in 2023, could still be a chance of hosting a Rugby World Cup game. Picture: Getty Images

As revealed by this masthead earlier this month, Sydney’s 82,000 seat Accor Stadium is set to be awarded the final and both semi-finals of the six week event, featuring a record 24 teams from around the planet.

It is also understood that Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia have secured matches and will hold their own public announcements next week.

However, Victoria remains at risk of being completely shut-out after the state government withdrew its bid in protest at the decision to cut the Rebels from Super Rugby.

MCG officials were fuming that their chances of not only potentially hosting the final but also of having any involvement in the mega event were scuttled by politics, so began lobbying Jacinta Allan’s government to get back to the negotiating table.

The government listened and went back with a new offer. And while the talks are ongoing and highly sensitive, people familiar with the discussions said there had been a positive shift in the discussions.

The Victorian government told this masthead it would not comment on any negotiations, saying they always remained confidential.

“We talk to all sorts of license holders and our conversations are commercial in confidence,” a spokesperson said in a statement to this masthead.

The idea of excluding Victoria from the third biggest sporting event on the planet, outside the Olympics and FIFA World Cup, was something no-one ever wanted, which is why the talks have been allowed to go right down to the wire.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii of Australia goes past Ollie Sleightholme, to set up a try for Tom Wright. Picture: Getty Images

While the 100,000-seater MCG has the biggest capacity of any stadium in Australia, it was always expected the semis and final - scheduled for November 13, 2027 - would be awarded to Sydney, which also hosted the 2003 decider.

But Melbourne was also looming as a big part of the planning, just as it is for this year’s British and Irish Lions series.

While Victorian rugby fans remain livid at the Rebels getting cut, the notion of using World Cup bidding as a bargaining chip was a futile exercise that backfired.

Sydney will get the lion’s share of the big matches in 2027. As well as the final, both semis, to be played on November 5 and 6, will be played at Homebush.

Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, which held an eletric crowd for the Wallabies’ clash with South Africa in August, is considered a certainty tohost two quarterfinals. Picture: Getty Images

One option that had been floated was for the MCG to host the opening match - which organisers believed would have looked spectacular on worldwide television - but that has gone so Perth’s Optus Stadium is now looming as the surprise choice for the opening match.

Adelaide, Townsville and Newcastle will all be given pool matches, with Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium considered a certainty to get two quarterfinals.

That leaves open the possibility Melbourne could still get the two remaining quarters, plus pool and Round of 16 games, as long as a deal is cut.

The stakes for all concerned could not be higher because of the enormous amounts of money involved.

Rugby Australia is guaranteed $100 million as host, money that will ensure the survival of the code in this country, with World Rugby banking any additional profits, which is why the MCG is so important to the tournament.

Originally published as MCG could host World Cup games after Victorian Government, World Rugby, reopen last-minute talks