The annual Bledisloe Cup rugby matches between Australia and New Zealand will be held in Brisbane on Anzac Day in 2027, 2029, and 2031, marking a historic three-game agreement announced by rugby authorities and the Queensland government. The games, contested between the Wallabies and the All Blacks, will take place at Suncorp Stadium, with New Zealand hosting the fixtures in the alternating years.
This new scheduling positions the matches outside the traditional international rugby calendar, instead falling in the middle of the domestic Super Rugby season, which features teams from Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. The arrangement aims to establish a new trans-Tasman sporting tradition linked to Anzac Day, a national day of remembrance in both countries honoring service members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who fought in the Gallipoli campaign during World War I.
Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh expressed optimism that the Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup Test would become a marquee event on the global sporting calendar, predicting tens of millions of viewers worldwide. He highlighted the significance of the timing as Queensland prepares to host major international events, including next year’s Rugby World Cup and the 2032 Olympic Games.
Queensland Premier and Minister for Veterans, David Crisafulli, emphasized the symbolism of honouring players who served in World War I. He noted that 10 Wallabies and 13 All Blacks died in the conflict, with seven making the ultimate sacrifice at Gallipoli. Crisafulli described the match as an important tribute to these individuals on a day of shared national remembrance. The initiative forms part of Queensland’s broader Destination 2045 tourism strategy, which seeks to establish Brisbane as a national events hub.
Queensland Tourism Minister Andrew Powell stated that hosting the Anzac Day Tests would strengthen the state’s position as a home of Australian sport and inspire young athletes. Meanwhile, RSL Queensland president Major General Stephen Day highlighted the parallels between the Anzac spirit of mateship and the camaraderie fostered through sport, noting how the matches would reflect the historical bonds between Australians and New Zealanders.
New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Lancaster pointed to Brisbane’s significant expatriate community as a factor in selecting the city as host and suggested the matches would add competitive tension to the Super Rugby season during the years they are played. The matches will be supported by ancillary business and sporting events, including meetings between Australian and New Zealand business leaders, the Australian Rugby Summit, and the Super Rugby Pacific Summit.
Former governor-general and chief of defence Sir Peter Cosgrove praised the decision, describing the match as a fitting follow-up to Anzac Day commemorations, providing Australians and New Zealanders with a meaningful outlet to celebrate shared history and friendly rivalry on the sporting field.