World Rugby has today announced Australia as preferred candidate to host Rugby World Cup 2029.

The announcement means Australia is now preferred candidate to host the greatest events in men’s and women’s fifteens Rugby in 2027 and 2029.

Confirmation comes ahead of a week of meetings between World Rugby, Rugby Australia, government and city representatives to progress the hosting model for both events ahead of a final World Rugby Council vote in Dublin in May.

Rugby Australia Chairman Hamish McLennan said: “We’re delighted to be named preferred candidate to host Rugby World Cup 2029. This is a truly wonderful addition to our bid for Rugby World Cup 2027 and we would love to welcome the pinnacle event on the women’s XVs calendar to our shores for the first time in 2029.

“Today’s announcement is another step in the right direction for Rugby in Australia as we head toward the final decision by World Rugby Council in May. We continue to be buoyed by the spirit of collaboration in which we are working with World Rugby.

“Hosting two Rugby World Cups is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Australia and the Rugby community and all aspirational future Wallaroos and Wallabies who will shortly be kicking off their season across the country. The fact we have reached this stage in the process as preferred candidate for both the men’s and women’s tournaments is something the Australian Rugby community should be incredibly proud of.

“Again, I’d like to thank the Australian Government for their fantastic support for our bid to date, including last week’s package of support announced in the Federal Budget, which has made today’s announcement possible. Game On for Australia 2027 and 2029!”

World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin said: “We are excited by Australia’s vision and passion to work with World Rugby to deliver an exceptional Rugby World Cup in 2027 and now 2029, cementing the nation’s status as being at the heart of the Rugby Universe for a three-year period.

“Confirmation of Australia’s candidacy represents a major milestone for the global advancement of women’s Rugby, completing a roadmap of Rugby World Cup hosting all the way through to 2033 which is supported by the exciting new WXV competition which launches next year. This unprecedented certainty will further enable World Rugby to work with all our stakeholders to accelerate fan, broadcast, sponsorship and participation opportunities for the women’s game on a global basis.”

Rugby Australia CEO Andy Marinos said: “Hosting Rugby World Cup 2029 would be a significant boost for women’s Rugby in this country.

“We saw what winning Olympic gold in the sevens in Rio 2016 did for the women’s game in this country. Hosting the marquee event on the XVs calendar would provide a similar lift for the women’s game here, presenting an aspirational pathway to young female athletes who can see a home World Cup as a genuine target on the horizon, while also encouraging further investment into development and infrastructure.”

Minister for Sport, Richard Colbeck, said the preferred candidate announcement by World Rugby today was a testament to Australia’s reputation for successfully delivering major sporting events.

“Securing the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029 for Australia will be another milestone event in our green and gold decade to raise the profile of women’s sport,” Minister Colbeck said.

“It will drive increased participation in physical activity by girls and women, and improve gender equality and social inclusion in sport.

“The Government continues to support women and girls to achieve their sporting dreams and ambitions and we wholeheartedly welcome the opportunity to have the world’s best women Rugby players compete on Australian soil.

“The timeline of major sporting events in Australia over the next decade, culminating in the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, provides a unique opportunity to create significant socio-economic benefits that will last generations and drive Australia’s post COVID-19 recovery.”

Rugby World Cup 2027 Bid Advisory Board Chairman, Sir Rod Eddington AO FTSE said: “This is a positive step forward for our bid, as we aim to bring not one but two world-class events to Australian shores.

“Hosting RWC 2027 and 2029 would deliver a combined $2.8 billion in direct and indirect expenditure for the economy. Not only is this is a game-changing opportunity for Rugby in this country and the broader Pacific, it will also be a major shot in the arm for the Australian economy as we continue to emerge from a range of challenges in recent years.”

Fans can show their support for Australia’s bid by joining the team at Australia2027-29.Rugby.

The announcement completes the line-up of confirmed and proposed men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup hosts.