Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Minister for Sport
The Morrison Government has backed a bid to host the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Announced by Rugby Australia at a launch in Sydney this morning, Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck said the nation was ready to showcase one of the most popular sporting spectacles to a global audience.
"The Government remains committed to making Australia the world's most active sporting nation and reinforcing our reputation as a pre-eminent host of major sporting events," Minister Colbeck said.
"Australia is not only a strong rugby nation, it is a safe destination with a successful and growing record of hosting global sporting events.
"The last time we hosted the Rugby World Cup was in 2003, and we're more than ready to take it on again."
The Australian Government committed $8.8 million over two years in the 2020-21 Budget for Rugby Australia to develop a compelling and compliant bid.
It also received $1 million from the Government in the 2019-20 Budget to support foundation planning.
Minister Colbeck said hosting the event would provide a major economic boost for our tourism industry and the broader economy.
"This is an investment which offers significant benefits," he said.
"It is projected to generate more than $2 billion, attract more than 200,000 visitors from key international markets, and create almost 13,000 new full-time equivalent jobs."
Bids are due for lodgement to World Rugby by 14 January 2022, with the announcement of the successful host expected in May 2022.
Hosting rights will then also be awarded for the 2025 and 2029 Women's Rugby World Cups and the 2031 Men's Rugby World Cup.
"The next decade could see Australia become the premier sporting tourism destination in the world, with a long list of major events already being held here," Minister Colbeck said.
"It's quite achievable that we can add the 2027 Rugby World Cup and the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games to this impressive list.
Major sporting events already scheduled to be held in Australia include:
- Men's T20 World Cup 2022 (cricket)
- FIBA Women's World Cup 2022 (basketball)
- UCI Road World Championships 2022 (cycling)
- VIRTUS Oceania Asia Games 2022 (intellectual impairment)
- World Transplant Games 2023 (transplant recipients)
- FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 (soccer/football)
- ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships 2025
- Netball World Cup 2027.
