Rugby AU and Victorian Government Lock in MCG for 2027 and 2029 Bledisloe Cup Tests

Rugby Australia (Rugby AU), in partnership with the Victorian Government and Visit Victoria, has announced that the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will host the Wallabies and New Zealand All Blacks in a Bledisloe Cup Test match on Saturday, 31 July 2027.

The fixture forms part of The Flight Centre Rugby Championship and secures the MCG as a major venue anchor in a multi-year deal that includes a second major Bledisloe Cup fixture in Melbourne in 2029.

The announcement completes the Wallabies’ 2027 home fixture schedule leading directly into the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup, hosted in Australia from 1 October to 13 November 2027. The 2027 international calendar also marks the return of a expanded three-Test Bledisloe Cup series format, opening with a historical first-ever Anzac Day clash at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane before heading to the MCG and concluding with a third Test in New Zealand.

Highlighting the importance of aligning major state infrastructure to host elite international rugby in a landmark World Cup year, Phil Waugh, CEO of Rugby Australia, Phil Waugh, said: “The Melbourne Cricket Ground is one of the world’s great stadiums – and a jewel in Australia’s sporting crown – and the Wallabies are proud to be hosting the All Blacks at the iconic venue in 2027,”

“The Wallabies and All Blacks have played only four previous Test matches at the MCG and this Bledisloe Cup encounter will mark 30 years since both teams took to the hallowed turf for the first time.

“The Wallabies and All Blacks have won two Tests apiece at the ‘G and another enthralling contest awaits next year.

“It is fitting that a year as significant for Australian Rugby as 2027 includes a blockbuster home Test match at the MCG.

“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our partners at the Victorian Government, Visit Victoria and New Zealand Rugby for bringing this exciting initiative to life,” Waugh said.

Historical Venue Dynamics and Attendance Benchmarks

The 31 July 2027 match represents the 185th fixture in the 123-year rivalry between Australia and New Zealand, as well as the 30th anniversary of the first Bledisloe Cup Test played at the MCG in 1997. The two nations currently hold an even 2–2 head-to-head record at the stadium across four previous meetings.

The venue selection follows strong commercial attendance metrics at the venue for major rugby fixtures:

2023 Bledisloe Cup: Attracted 83,944 spectators—the largest Australian rugby attendance in over two decades at the time.
2025 British & Irish Lions Tour: Drew 90,307 fans for the Wallabies’ second Test, setting an all-time attendance record for a British & Irish Lions fixture.

2027 Wallabies Domestic Test Schedule

The home Test schedule serves as an important operational runway for the Wallabies prior to launching their World Cup campaign:

Date	Opponent	Venue	Event / Series
Sunday, 25 April	New Zealand	Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane	Bledisloe Cup (Test 1)
Saturday, 10 July	Argentina	Allianz Stadium, Sydney	Rugby Championship
Saturday, 17 July	Argentina	QLD Country Bank Stadium, Townsville	Rugby Championship
Saturday, 31 July	New Zealand	MCG, Melbourne	Bledisloe Cup (Test 2) / Rugby Championship
Saturday, 18 September	Ireland	GIO Stadium, Canberra	World Cup Warm-up Match

Following the domestic series, the Wallabies will face the All Blacks for a fourth confirmed time in 2027 during their Rugby World Cup Pool A fixture on Saturday, 9 October at Accor Stadium in Sydney.

The agreement reinforces Victoria’s major events investment policy, leveraging high-capacity venue infrastructure to secure international sports tourism inflow ahead of global broadcast events.

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Rugby AU and Victorian Government Lock in MCG for 2027 and 2029 Bledisloe Cup Tests

Historical Venue Dynamics and Attendance Benchmarks

2027 Wallabies Domestic Test Schedule

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