Brisbane is set to become a hive of rugby activity in 2027, with confirmation today that the World Wheelchair Rugby Cup will take place at Nissan Arena from 25-29 October 2027.
Building on the successful format established at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in Paris, the five-day tournament will lead into the quarterfinal week of the adjacent 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup, and is set to serve as one of the most significant events in Australian wheelchair rugby history.
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Launched today in Brisbane, the event included Queensland Minister for Tourism Andrew Powell, Queensland Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Tim Mander, Wheelchair Rugby Australia CEO Chris Nay, and Rugby Australia Chair Daniel Herbert.
“Queensland will be the capital of the rugby world next October when the Rugby World Cup and World Wheelchair Rugby Cup hit Brisbane,” Herbert said at the launch.
“The Steelers, like the Wallabies, are two-time world champions, and it will be incredible to see our national teams taking the field in front of large, passionate home crowds.
“The Rugby World Cup and World Wheelchair Rugby Cup connected three years ago in France, and I have no doubt Australians will take both tournaments to new heights in 2027.”
"We want Queensland to be a world leader in para sport, and it's tournaments like this that highlight the importance of inclusivity and accessibility for every athlete," Minister Mander added.
With a large crowd already projected to attend the ten Men’s Rugby World Cup matches in Brisbane, organisers are aiming to attract the largest crowd recorded for a dedicated wheelchair rugby event outside the Paralympic Games.
The 2023 event in France brought together the eight leading nations in wheelchair rugby, with the Australia Steelers defeating Canada 53-48 in the final to claim the World Wheelchair Rugby Cup, and will be defending champions on home soil.
The Steelers have also claimed two World Wheelchair Rugby Championship titles in 2014 and 2022, having featured in the last five consecutive finals.
With the Paralympic Games also set to be played in Brisbane in 2032, Nay believes hosting the World Wheelchair Rugby Cup will be a landmark moment for the sport on Australian soil.
“Bringing the World Wheelchair Rugby Cup to Brisbane puts Australia at the centre of the international calendar and gives fans the chance to experience one of the game’s biggest events at its absolute best on home soil,” Nay said.
“To be aligned with Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 is an opportunity to introduce new fans to our high-octane, entertaining, collision sport in front of record crowds on home soil and via international broadcast.
“It would be remiss of me not to mention the significant support we have received from multiple partners to bring this milestone event to life.
“We are extremely grateful to be working in partnership with the Queensland Government on this milestone event. Their vision and commitment to our sport has been exemplary across our dealings thus far.
“Similarly, the support of World Rugby, Rugby Australia, Paralympics Australia, the Australian Sports Commission and the Queensland Academy of Sport has played an influential role in securing this event.
“We are grateful to be working with such strong, values-aligned organisations and look forward to delivering a record result for them in 2027.
“This tournament is also about creating a lasting impact beyond five days of competition – strengthening the sport’s profile, creating opportunities for athletes and the wider wheelchair rugby community, and contributing to Queensland’s growing reputation as a destination for major international events.”
“More than half of our current high-performance athletes are based in Queensland,” Australian Steelers athlete Ryley Batt added at the launch.
“Playing a World Cup at Nissan Arena in front of friends and family would mean everything.
“We want Queenslanders and fans across Australia beside us, making noise and helping create the biggest dedicated wheelchair rugby crowd the sport has seen outside the Paralympic Games.”
Tickets for the 2027 World Wheelchair Rugby Cup are expected to go on sale in early 2027. Visit www.wheelchairrugby.com.au/world-cup for more information.
