Australian rugby officials have confirmed plans for a blockbuster Bledisloe Cup clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2027. The match is slated to be the second Test of the series and is scheduled for July 31. Organisers anticipate a crowd of 90,000-plus fans filling the iconic venue, setting the stage for a high‑profile encounter between the Wallabies and the All Blacks.
The Wallabies have not recorded a victory in New Zealand since 2001, a stretch that has loomed over Australian rugby for more than two decades. The upcoming fixtures in Australia are seen as crucial opportunities to reverse that trend. The Wallabies are aiming to end the drought against their trans‑Tasman rivals, making the home games in the 2027 series a focal point of their campaign.
After recent editions that varied in number, the 2027 Bledisloe Cup will return to a three‑Test format. Two of the matches will be played in Australia, with the MCG hosting the second Test on July 31, while the remaining Test will take place in New Zealand. This structure gives Australia two chances to secure points on home soil, a factor that Wallabies strategists view as vital for challenging the All Blacks.
Two of the matches will be played in Australia, with the MCG hosting the second Test on July 31, while the remaining Test will take place in New Zealand.
Beyond the MCG spectacle, organizers are also looking at the Wallabies’ recent record at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Since 2011, the All Blacks have managed only one win in five matches at that ground, indicating a historical advantage for Australia when they play there. The Wallabies have pointed to this past success as a reason for optimism heading into the 2027 series. Combined with the projected 90,000-plus attendance at the MCG, the upcoming Bledisloe fixtures are poised to draw significant interest from fans on both sides of the Tasman.
#WorldCup rest day has got me thinking. 2042 @FIFAWorldCup hosting bid suggestion for Australia, New Zealand & Indonesia. 14 stadiums needed with 40,000 + capacity. 🇦🇺 MCG - 100,000 🇦🇺 Accor Stadium - 83,000 🇮🇩 Jakarta International Stadium - 82,000 🇮🇩 Gelora Bung Karno Stadium - 77,000 🇦🇺 Optus Stadium - 61,000 🇦🇺 Adelaide Oval - 53,500 🇦🇺 Suncorp Stadium - 52,500 (expand) 🇳🇿 Eden Park - 50,000 🇮🇩 Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium - 46,000 🇮🇩 Riau Main Stadium - 43,000 🇦🇺 Allianz Stadium - 42,500 🇳🇿 Hnry Stadium (Wellington) - expand to 40,000 🇦🇺 AAMI Park- expand to 40,000 🇦🇺 McDonald Jones Stadium - expand to 40,000 8 in Australia, 4 in Indonesia, 2 in New Zealand. AFL uses the new Gabba, Etihad Stadium and SCG + others during World Cup period. NRL uses new Gabba, SCG, Commbank, Penrith, Leichhardt Oval etc. I've thought about this way too much.