Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh has officially confirmed that the Wallabies will make a highly anticipated return to Perth in 2026, bringing excitement to fans in Western Australia. This announcement solidifies a streak of appearances, with the national team set to play in WA for four consecutive years, including the upcoming 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Perth's Growing Rugby Presence
Wallabies supporters in Western Australia have reason to celebrate, as this visit compensates for missing out on a high-profile opponent in the 2027 World Cup opener. Loyal rugby enthusiasts will witness their third Wallabies match in as many years, following massive Tests at Optus Stadium against South Africa in 2024 and New Zealand in 2025. With the confirmed World Cup appearance next year, Perth is becoming a key hub for international rugby in Australia.
Phil Waugh's Enthusiasm for Perth
During his visit to Perth for the two-day World Rugby SVNS tournament, Phil Waugh expressed his admiration for the city's rugby community. "We love coming to Perth. We love having the Wallabies here in Perth, and we always seem to engage new audiences and big crowds here as well," he told The West Australian. "It's a really exciting time, and we look forward to seeing the men in gold over here in the west." This sentiment highlights Rugby Australia's commitment to expanding the sport's reach in the region.
2026 Nations Championship Launch
The 2026 season will mark the debut of the Nations Championship, a new biennial tournament where southern hemisphere teams, including the Wallabies, will play three home and three away games against Six Nations countries. While the Wallabies have already scheduled matches against Ireland in Sydney and France in Brisbane for July 2026, Rugby Australia has yet to announce two home Tests: one against Italy in July and another against South Africa in September, potentially adding to Perth's rugby calendar.
SVNS Tournament Success in WA
Perth is also set to host the SVNS tournament for two more years, with the 2027 event scheduled for February 6-7. Waugh praised Western Australia's embrace of the tournament, noting, "Our fastest growth in terms of participation across the country is in Western Australia, and so to have this festival atmosphere here in Perth is certainly great to see." He emphasized the goal of filling stadiums and boosting community support for future events.
Building Momentum for Rugby in Australia
Reflecting on recent successes, Waugh highlighted the British and Irish Lions tour, which sold over 500,000 tickets, a significant increase from the 380,000 tickets sold in 2013. With home men's and women's World Cups approaching in 2027 and 2029, he stressed the importance of maintaining momentum. "It's really important for us to work to continue riding that wave, continue to change and innovate so that we can capture new audiences," he said, underscoring Rugby Australia's focus on growth and engagement.
This series of events positions Perth as a vital location for rugby in Australia, offering fans continuous opportunities to support the Wallabies and enjoy top-tier international matches.
