Almost a quarter of a century after one of the most heartbreaking moments in Australian sport, the Rugby World Cup is returning to the scene of the crime.

The 2027 Men's Rugby World Cup will take place in seven Australian cities, culminating in a grand finale at Sydney's Accor Stadium. The 83,000-seat venue, also referred to as Sydney's Olympic Stadium, hosted the exciting 2003 final when England clinched the coveted title.

Twenty-four years after Jonny Wilkinson broke Australia’s hearts, Sydney’s Accor Stadium is set to host the next Rugby World Cup final in 2027.

WA has been overlooked to host a Rugby World Cup quarter final in 2027, with Optus Stadium deemed not large enough for one of the tournament’s knockout matches despite being Australia’s third-biggest stadium.

Twenty-four years on, Sydney's Olympic Stadium will once again host the competition from 1 October to 13 November, World Rugby announced on

Despite rumours of the sport's showpiece being held in Melbourne, it will return to Stadium Australia for a second time.

World Rugby have confirmed that Sydney's Accor Stadium will host the 2027 Rugby World Cup final while Melbourne will also host some matches during the global showpiece.