ANZAC Day rugby is coming after Australia and New Zealand confirmed a six-year deal to play for the Bledisloe Cup earlier than scheduled.
And Queensland has secured the Australian hosting rights for 2027, 2029 and 2031 games in what will be a best-of three series.
Hosting rights will rotate with New Zealand. With one game to be held on ANZAC Day (April 25), the remaining two games in the three-Test series will be played later in the season.
The first game (Sunday, April 25, 2027) will be played in the early afternoon, according to New Zealand Rugby.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli says they were able to lock in the ANZAC Day matches as part of its Destination 2045 Tourism plan and has business plans for the games.
“This is part of our plan to deliver new signature events for Queensland and raid interstate events, growing tourism and supporting Queensland jobs,” he says.
“I promised Queenslanders we’d secure these major events as part of a push to make our state the events capital of Australia. There’s more to come.”
ANZAC DAY BOOST FOR RUGBY
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh believes Bledisloe tests on Anzac Day will draw fans to Brisbane despite the Wallabies having last won the Cup in 2002.
“As a new, marquee fixture on the global sporting calendar, the Anzac Day Bledisloe Cup Test will be watched by tens of millions across Australia, New Zealand and beyond,” Waugh says.
He points out that will start happening when Queensland prepares for the 2027 Rugby World Cup and the 2032 Summer Olympics.
“The first ever staging of a Bledisloe Cup Test on Anzac Day will, we believe, create a new trans-Tasman sporting tradition,” Waugh says.
New Zealand Rugby CEO Steve Lancaster believes the concept will strengthen Australian which will benefit them in turn.
“Rugby Australia is an important partner for us and a strong game in Australia is good for rugby in New Zealand,” he says.
“Brisbane has long been seen as a home away from home with a large New Zealand population living there.
“We see this as a huge opportunity to work in partnership with Rugby Australia to grow the game in a key market,” Lancaster says.
MORE NEWS: Wallabies relishing the occasion
BUSINESS PLANS IN STORE
The state government says it is also looking to maximise economic opportunities from the games with a new business schedule built around the match.
These events will include a game day breakfast, an Australian Rugby Summit and a Super Rugby Pacific Summit.
Brisbane’s Deputy Mayor Fiona Cunningham said the ANZAC Day clash will be unforgettable for Brisbane.
“This fixture will bring a huge atmosphere to the heart of our city. This is more than just a game of rugby,” she says.
RSL Queensland president Major General Stephen Day says they are proud to support the ANZAC Test in Brisbane.
“When the final whistle blows, the rivalry fades, but the shared history remains,” he says.
The Bledisloe Cup will remain a two-match series in 2028 and 2030 due to the global Nations Championship.
SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC
Super Rugby Pacific is set to confirm the 2027 competition format in the coming weeks.
“The Anzac Day Bledisloe Test adds another key moment during the Super Rugby Pacific season as the early rounds will have the added element of selection intrigue ahead of this match,” Lancaster says
“We’ve worked closely with our clubs to ensure it gives fans another compelling reason to engage with the competition across the season.”
Super Rugby organisers says total season attendance for the 2026 season rose by 11.7% compared to 2025.
Super Round in Christchurch attracted a record-breaking 73,187 fans across three days while digital audiences recorded 13% growth in video views on social media channels.
MORE TEST RUGBY NEWS: 2026 championship put on hold
