Host cities & stadiums · Australia 2027

Seven cities. Eight stadiums. One trophy.

Rugby World Cup 2027 runs from the opening match in Perth on 1 October to the Final at Stadium Australia in Sydney. This guide covers every venue — capacity, which matches it hosts, how to get there on match day, and what to do with the days in between.

Map of Australia showing the eight Rugby World Cup 2027 stadiums

PERTH | BOORLOO

Perth

Western Australia · Perth Airport (PER) — 20–30 min to the CBD

Perth Stadium

Opened in 2018 beside the Swan River and repeatedly awarded for its design and fan experience. It hosts the RWC 2027 opening match on 1 October 2027.

Capacity: 60,000
Matches: Five pool matches (including the opening match) and two Round of 16

Getting around

Match-day rail and bus travel is usually included with a valid match ticket — check your ticket conditions before you travel.
The stadium sits a short walk across Matagarup Bridge from East Perth, so many fans walk in from the city side.
Allow extra time for the opening match: expect the busiest arrival window of the tournament.

Things to do

Day trip to Rottnest Island / Wadjemup by ferry from Barrack Street Jetty
Swan Valley wine and brewery route, 30 minutes from the CBD
Kings Park and Botanic Garden for the best skyline views
Fremantle markets, street art and the harbour seafood strip

ADELAIDE | TARNTANYA

Adelaide

South Australia · Adelaide Airport (ADL) — 15–20 min to the CBD

Adelaide Oval

A riverside ground famous for blending heritage grandstands with a modern rebuild. It hosted Rugby World Cup 2003 matches, including Australia's win over Namibia.

Capacity: 53,000
Matches: Six pool matches

Getting around

The Oval is a 10-minute walk from the CBD across the Torrens footbridge — no transport needed for most hotels.
Free city tram runs through the centre; trains and buses connect the Adelaide Hills and coast.
Wine-region transfers to the Barossa and McLaren Vale take about an hour each way.

Things to do

Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale cellar doors
Adelaide Central Market for breakfast before a day match
Glenelg beach by tram for sunset
Kangaroo Island extension for wildlife and coastline

BRISBANE | MEEANJIN

Brisbane

Queensland · Brisbane Airport (BNE) — Airtrain to the CBD in 20 min

Brisbane Stadium

Known as "The Cauldron" for the way the stands sit tight to the pitch. It staged nine Rugby World Cup matches in 2003 and has hosted 13 of the teams qualified for 2027.

Capacity: 52,000
Matches: Six pool matches, two Round of 16 and two quarter-finals

Getting around

Take the train to Milton or South Brisbane and walk in — driving to the ground is not recommended.
CityCat ferries are the most scenic way to move between the CBD, South Bank and West End.
Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast are both roughly an hour away if you are basing yourself at the beach.

Things to do

South Bank Parklands, Streets Beach and the Wheel of Brisbane
Mount Coot-tha lookout for city and hinterland views
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary river cruise
Day trip to Moreton Island / Mulgumpin for sand dunes and snorkelling

MELBOURNE | NARRM

Melbourne

Victoria · Melbourne Airport (MEL) — 30–45 min to the CBD

Docklands Stadium

The only fully enclosed venue of the tournament — the roof stays closed for every match, guaranteeing dry conditions. It hosted seven Rugby World Cup matches in 2003.

Capacity: 53,000
Matches: Six pool matches and two Round of 16

Getting around

Southern Cross Station is a five-minute walk from the stadium and links to trams, trains and the airport bus.
Free Tram Zone covers the CBD and Docklands, so most match-day travel costs nothing.
The roof means no weather contingency is needed — but Melbourne outside the ground can shift four seasons in a day.

Things to do

Laneway coffee and rooftop bars around Degraves and Hardware Lane
Great Ocean Road drive to the Twelve Apostles
Yarra Valley wineries, an hour from the city
MCG and the National Sports Museum for sport history fans

SYDNEY | GADIGAL

Sydney

New South Wales · Sydney Airport (SYD) — 15–25 min to the CBD by train

Stadium Australia

The largest venue of the tournament, and one of only four stadiums in history — alongside Eden Park, Twickenham and Stade de France — to host a second Rugby World Cup Final.

Capacity: 82,000
Matches: Two pool matches, two quarter-finals, two semi-finals, the bronze final and the Final

Sydney Football Stadium

Reopened in 2022 after a full rebuild. The most modern ground of RWC 2027, close to the city centre with steep, atmospheric stands.

Capacity: 42,500
Matches: Three pool matches and two Round of 16

Getting around

Stadium Australia is at Olympic Park — take the train from Central and change at Lidcombe, or use the direct event services.
Sydney Football Stadium at Moore Park is served by light rail from Central and Circular Quay.
Ferries from Circular Quay to Manly and Watsons Bay are the best-value sightseeing in the city.

Things to do

Bondi to Coogee coastal walk
Sydney Opera House tour and Harbour Bridge climb
Blue Mountains day trip by train to Katoomba
Hunter Valley wine country, two hours north

NEWCASTLE | AWABAKAL-WORIMI

Newcastle

New South Wales · Newcastle Airport (NTL), or 2h30 by train from Sydney

Newcastle Stadium

Hosting Rugby World Cup matches for the first time in 2027. Its rugby heritage includes the British & Irish Lions' 1989 match against NSW Country and Australia's 2012 Test against Scotland.

Capacity: 30,000
Matches: Four pool matches

Getting around

The stadium is walkable from central Newcastle; light rail runs along the harbour foreshore.
Trains from Sydney Central to Newcastle Interchange take about two and a half hours — a comfortable day-trip option.
A hire car is useful if you plan to combine matches with the Hunter Valley.

Things to do

Bathers Way coastal walk and the Bogey Hole ocean baths
Nobbys Head lighthouse at sunrise
Hunter Valley cellar doors, under an hour inland
Port Stephens dolphin cruises and Stockton sand dunes

TOWNSVILLE | GURAMBILBARRA

Townsville

Queensland · Townsville Airport (TSV) — 10 min to the city

North Queensland Stadium

Opened in 2020 and making its Rugby World Cup debut. Its striking roof design takes its shape from the tropical pandanus plant native to North Queensland.

Capacity: 25,000
Matches: Four pool matches

Getting around

The stadium sits on the edge of the CBD — most city hotels are a 10–15 minute walk away.
Ferries run to Magnetic Island in 20 minutes from the Breakwater Terminal.
Book flights and accommodation early: Townsville has the smallest room inventory of the host cities.

Things to do

Magnetic Island for koalas, snorkelling and quiet bays
The Strand waterfront promenade and rock pool
Castle Hill sunrise climb
Great Barrier Reef and SS Yongala dive trips

Naming note

Why we show two names for every city

Throughout this guide each host city is written with its official tournament naming, pairing the city name with the name of the Traditional Owners' Country on which it sits — for example SYDNEY | GADIGAL. We follow World Rugby's host city naming guidelines in all of our Rugby World Cup 2027 communications.

World Rugby naming guidelines →

Plan around the venues

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