The Minns Labor Government has announced a landmark $10 million investment to strengthen rugby across New South Wales in the lead-up to the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027. The Rugby Legacy Program, running from 2025 to 2028, will support community participation, workforce development, and infrastructure upgrades while ensuring the game remains safe, inclusive, and accessible.
Delivered in partnership with Rugby Australia, Rugby NSW and the ACT Brumbies, the program will fund initiatives from grassroots clubs to elite pathways, providing new opportunities for players, coaches, referees, and administrators. Special focus will be given to programs that encourage participation among women and girls, people with disability, and Pasifika and First Nations communities.
NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said the government’s vision goes beyond hosting matches. “We don’t just want to host the tournament, we want to ensure it leaves a legacy for the sport at all levels,” he said. “Whether it’s a child lacing up their boots for the first time or an elite pathway player, everyone will benefit.”
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh welcomed the program, saying it would ensure “the benefits of this once-in-a-generation event live on long after the final whistle.” With 17 matches scheduled across Sydney and Newcastle, fans will have unprecedented access to world-class rugby, with over a million tickets priced under $100.
This investment promises not only to grow the game but also to build stronger communities and inspire the next generation of players well beyond 2027.
