- Perth preparing to host Men's Rugby World Cup 2027
- Matches, including the historic opening clash featuring Australia's Wallabies, to be played in Perth
- Prestigious rugby tournament will be largest event ever held in Western Australia
- Matches supported by the Western Australian Government, through Tourism WA
The countdown is on until Perth hosts the Men's Rugby World Cup 2027 - set to be the largest sporting event ever held in Western Australia.
Supported by the Cook Government, the highly anticipated opening match featuring the Wallabies will kick off the massive sporting tournament in Perth on 1 October 2027.
This international sporting event is expected to bring tens of thousands of out-of-state visitors to WA, injecting millions into the local economy, with the opening match set to be a major drawcard with high ticket demand.
Perth will host seven matches in total, including the opening match, four pool matches, as well as two round of 16 clashes, a first in tournament history under a new 24-team format introduced by World Rugby.
Held every four years, the Men's Rugby World Cup is the most prestigious tournament in rugby union and ranks as the third largest sporting event on the globe behind only the Summer Olympics and Men's FIFA World Cup.
WA last hosted a Rugby World Cup match in 2003 at Subiaco Oval, where nearly 43,000 fans packed in to watch England take on South Africa's Springboks.
This announcement marks another milestone in Australia's golden decade of rugby, which has already seen Perth host the HSBC SVNS in 2024 and 2025, the Wallabies vs Springboks blockbuster in August 2024, the British and Irish Lions Tour in June 2025, and this week's Australian-exclusive Bledisloe Cup on Saturday, 4 October.
Hosting these global events is a key part of the Cook Government's priority to diversify WA's economy so it remains the strongest in the nation, by making the State more vibrant, and promote more active lifestyles.
Ahead of the Men's Rugby World Cup 2027, the Cook Government has committed for millions to be spent on community legacy programs and infrastructure upgrades for local sporting clubs, where teams competing at the tournament will train.
Find out more at world.rugby
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"Two years from now, Perth will welcome the biggest ever sporting event to come to our shores since the 1962 Empire Games - the Rugby World Cup 2027.
"Not only will Perth host seven matches in total over the course of the tournament - including two round of 16 clashes - but the city will be the first on show to the world when we host the opening match with the Wallabies on 1 October 2027.
"This defining event means more jobs for Western Australians, a stronger local economy, and a long-term boost to our global reputation as a sports destination."
As stated by Tourism Minister Reece Whitby:
"It's hard to believe we're just two years away from welcoming the world to Perth for the opening match of the Men's Rugby World Cup 2027.
"This is a historic opportunity that will elevate our city's global profile and deliver lasting benefits for our economy and community.
"This tournament will shine a spotlight on Perth like never before, reaching millions through its massive broadcast audience and showcasing our State to the world.
"Our world-class infrastructure and passionate sporting culture makes WA the perfect home for this historic moment, and we can't wait."
