Optus Stadium is set to add another feather to its cap, revealed as the host for the 2027 Rugby World Cup opening ceremony and tournament opener featuring the Wallabies.
It’s a massive boon for Perth, with the event bringing some of the world’s best rugby union players to our shores.
Optus Stadium has successfully hosted multiple rugby clashes despite the game needing a rectangular field instead of the ground’s oval surface that accommodates AFL.
Last year, the Wallabies hosted powerhouses in South Africa in Western Australia, while Perth hosted both State of Origin clashes between New South Wales and Queensland, as well as NRL games in the past.
Perth will host the Western Forces’ clash against the British and Irish Lions on June 26.
The State government first pushed to host the World Cup opener in 2022, with The West Australian reporting a high-powered World Rugby deputation was impressed by Perth’s bid and the stadium during a visit to the much-loved sporting cauldron.
Perth could have as many as six games, while Victoria is set to be snubbed from the six-week tournament.
In 2021, it was reported Perth could also host the final, given the sport’s governing body requires stadiums to be able to hold a minimum of 60,000 fans to host the decider, with Stadium Australia in Sydney and the MCG the only other grounds that fit the bill.
However, Sydney’s stadium, which can host 82,000 spectators, is believed to be preferred.
The ground also hosted the final in 2003 when England defeated Australia to be crowned world champions.
The tournament will run in the break between the AFL and cricket seasons, pencilled in for an October 1 start and holding the final on November 13.
South Africa are the current champions and have won the tournament a record-holding four times.
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