World Rugby and the Government of Western Australia have announced that Western Australia will see seven games played in the state during the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup, including the opening fixture.
Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti said, “Being selected as the host for the opening match is testament to our status as a first-rate host of major events, and our relentless efforts to build that reputation and connect our State to the world through new aviation routes will pay off in spades when Perth takes centre stage for this prestigious event in 2027.”
Taking place every four years, the Men’s Rugby World Cup is the most prestigious Rugby Union event. It will also be the largest sporting event in WA history! The tournament will feature 24 teams competing over six weeks between October 1st and November 13th.
Western Australia will host the opening match of the tournament — featuring the Wallabies — in addition to four other pool matches and two Round of 16 matches at Perth Stadium.
RugbyWA’s Chief Executive Officer, Simon Taylor, said: “We are thrilled by the announcement that Western Australia will see seven games played at Perth Stadium. RugbyWA are ambitiously targeting a legacy of infrastructure and programs from this Golden Decade that will enable us to grow to 50,000 active participants in community rugby in Western Australia.”
“RugbyWA is looking forward to the 2027 Rugby World Cup’s arrival in Western Australia, and to provide those inspired by the tournament with the opportunity to join the vibrant, growing rugby community present within Western Australia.”
The arrival of the global tournament in Perth is expected to bring tens of thousands of out-of-state visitors to WA and inject millions into WA’s economy — particularly for the opening match, which typically attracts enormous competition for tickets.
Western Australia last hosted a Rugby World Cup match in 2003 at Subiaco Oval, when almost 43,000 fans packed into the historic venue to watch England take on South Africa’s Springboks.
Carlo Tizzano, Western Australian-born Wallaby, said: “It’s incredibly exciting to see Western Australia be the host of the first game of the Wallabies campaign, right here in Perth at the best stadium in Australia.”
“As a player who grew up in Western Australia and played in the RugbyWA system, it’s great to see Rugby Union on display in the state, as well as showing off Western Australia and our talent to the world.”
The confirmation that WA will host key matches of the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 comes amid the State’s golden decade of rugby, which has seen Perth secure and host events such as the HSBC SVNS in January 2024 and 2025, the Wallabies vs Springboks blockbuster in August 2024, the British and Irish Lions tour match in June 2025, and the Bledisloe Cup in October 2025.