News

With one month of Rugby World Cup 2015 still remaining, you could be forgiven for not paying too much attention to the 2019 tournament in Japan.  But this week the World Rugby governing body approved a new blueprint for hosting the 2019 tournament in Japan, which it believes will further the growth of the sport in Japan, across Asia and around the world.  Specifically this includes:

• a revised inventory of venues that has team and fan experience at its heart and showcases the very best of Japan to the world
• the replacement of the proposed National Stadium with the Tokyo Stadium as part of the inventory of 12 host venues the length and breadth of Japan
• Tokyo Stadium to host the opening ceremony and opening match
• the iconic Yokohama Stadium to host the Rugby World Cup 2019 final
• full government support for the successful staging of the tournament

With Japan’s team currently riding high during their most successful Rugby World Cup campaign in 24 years, attention turns now not only to the delivery of Asia’s first Rugby World Cup, but also how host cities can maximise the economic impact it can offer.  Learning from 2015 Host Cities will be key here and JLGC will utilise its distinct role and location to provide this, with concerted efforts already underway to support Japanese local authorities in their research and study visits during the tournament.  We look forward to the Host City partnerships forged after the final at Twickenham on October 31.

The 2019 Host Cities and local authorities are: