2029 Rugby World Cup preferred host candidate is Australia (includes 2027)

2029 Rugby World Cup preferred host candidate is Australia

Announced in early April, the 2029 Rugby World Cup preferred host candidate is Australia. And World Rugby reinforces Australia as their preference for who hosts the 2027 tournament for men’s rugby too.

The announcement means Australia is now preferred candidate to host the greatest events in men’s and women’s fifteens rugby in 2027 and 2029 respectively. Confirmation came ahead of meetings between World Rugby, Rugby Australia, government, and city representatives to progress the hosting model for both events ahead of a final World Rugby Council vote in Dublin in May.

World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin said: “We are excited by Australia’s vision and passion to work with World Rugby to deliver an exceptional Rugby World Cup in 2027 and now 2029, cementing the nation’s status as being at the heart of the Rugby Universe for a three-year period.

“Confirmation of Australia’s candidacy represents a major milestone for the global advancement of women’s Rugby, completing a roadmap of Rugby World Cup hosting all the way through to 2033 which is supported by the exciting new WXV competition which launches next year. This unprecedented certainty will further enable World Rugby to work with all our stakeholders to accelerate fan, broadcast, sponsorship, and participation opportunities for the women’s game on a global basis.”

2029 Rugby World Cup preferred candidate is Australia

The specter of Australia holding dual tournaments is timed to benefit from infrastructure investment, as the Queensland government intends to host the 2032 Olympic Games.

“The timeline of major sporting events in Australia over the next decade, culminating in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, provides a unique opportunity to create significant socio-economic benefits that will last generations and drive Australia’s post-COVID-19 recovery,” Minister for Sport, Richard Colbeck explained.

Rugby World Cup 2027 bid advisory board Chairman, Sir Rod Eddington said: “This is a positive step forward for our bid, as we aim to bring not one but two world-class events to Australian shores. Hosting RWC 2027 and 2029 would deliver a combined $2.8 billion in direct and indirect expenditure for the economy. Not only is this is a game-changing opportunity for Rugby in this country and the broader Pacific, it will also be a major shot in the arm for the Australian economy as we continue to emerge from a range of challenges in recent years.”

The United States had been seen as a potential host for the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens events, however, that nation may still have long-term goals to bid for the 2031/33 XVs tournaments. It proves the call for a single host of both the men’s and then the women’s events may become the future norm. Even with elevated initial costs, estimated cost savings in dual hosting rights comes at a time where national unions are in a rebuilding stage [after the interruptions from the global pandemic]. Rugby Australia have ambitious plans, and promoting the women’s game is one of those.

Rugby Australia Chairman Hamish McLennan said: “We’re delighted to be named preferred candidate to host Rugby World Cup 2029. This is a truly wonderful addition to our bid for Rugby World Cup 2027 and we would love to welcome the pinnacle event on the women’s XVs calendar to our shores for the first time in 2029.

“Today’s announcement is another step in the right direction for Rugby in Australia as we head toward the final decision by World Rugby Council in May. We continue to be buoyed by the spirit of collaboration in which we are working with World Rugby.

“Hosting two Rugby World Cups is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Australia and the Rugby community and all aspirational future Wallaroos and Wallabies who will shortly be kicking off their season across the country. The fact we have reached this stage in the process as preferred candidate for both the men’s and women’s tournaments is something the Australian Rugby community should be incredibly proud of.

Last Word on Rugby will confirm in the future, the official confirmation from World Rugby on who will host the 2027/2029 Rugby World Cups. France will host the 2023 men’s tournament. The news above follows recent confirmation of key elements related to the evaluation, publication and voting process for the 2025 and 2029 editions, which will be awarded at the same time as the men’s tournament, in May 2022.

 

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