Brisbane will host the World Wheelchair Rugby Cup from October 25 to 29, 2027, bringing eight of the world’s leading teams to Nissan Arena for one of the most significant events in Australian wheelchair rugby history, leading into quarter-final week of the adjacent Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027.
The five-day tournament will give Australian fans the chance to see the sport’s biggest names compete for a major international title, with organisers aiming to attract the largest crowd recorded for a wheelchair rugby event outside the Paralympic Games.
Staged between the Round of 16 and quarterfinals of Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027, the tournament will connect two major international sporting audiences and build on the successful model established in Paris in 2023.
The tournament will showcase wheelchair rugby at its most intense and skilful, with national teams competing in a fast-paced, full-contact sport where male and female athletes compete together in mixed teams.
For Queensland, the event will add another world-class competition to Brisbane’s major events calendar, reinforcing its position as a leading international sporting destination as momentum builds towards the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The event will bring athletes, officials, supporters and visitors to Brisbane, support Queensland’s visitor economy and reinforce the state’s reputation for delivering accessible, world-class international sport on the runway to Brisbane 2032.
Minister for Tourism Andrew Powell said the Government was determined to secure more major international events and ensure Queenslanders benefited from the opportunities they created.
“The Crisafulli Government has made tourism a priority, backed it with record investment and we’re going after the world’s biggest events to deliver for Queenslanders,” Minister Powell said.
“That means more customers for local businesses, more shifts for Queensland workers and more reasons for visitors to stay longer and explore our great State.”
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.
Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said securing the tournament is an example of Queensland’s ambition for para sport.
“We want Queensland to be a world leader in para sport, and its tournaments like this that highlight the importance of inclusivity and accessibility for every athlete,” Minister Mander said.
“Queensland is the home of Australian sport, and after 1200 days of Labor Games chaos, the Crisafulli Government is delivering events that create opportunities for athletes, building momentum towards the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
Wheelchair Rugby Australia CEO Chris Nay said hosting the World Wheelchair Rugby Cup in Brisbane would be a landmark moment for the sport in Australia.
“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,” Mr 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. First, 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.”
Australian Steelers athlete Ryley Batt, who is proud to call Queensland home, said competing for a World Cup on home soil would be a defining opportunity for the team and the sport.
“More than half of our current high-performance athletes are based in Queensland, so 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.”
More than half of our current high-performance athletes are based in Queensland, so 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.
Together, these events will strengthen Queensland’s international profile and help build a legacy of world-class sport in the years surrounding Brisbane 2032.
The event is being delivered with the support of World Wheelchair Rugby and World Rugby, creating a rare opportunity to connect two major international sporting audiences in Brisbane during a significant period on the global rugby calendar.
EVENT DETAILS
• World Wheelchair Rugby Cup
• Monday 25 to Friday 29 October 2027
• Nissan Arena, Brisbane, Queensland
• Tickets are expected to go on sale early 2027 – Register your interest to receive event updates and early ticket information.
Visit www.wheelchairrugby.com.au/world-cup for more information
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