Goal! Melbourne Scores Twice With Bledisloe Cup

VIC Premier

Melbourne has scored the hosting honours of the Bledisloe Cup for two years, as the Andrews Labor Government reaffirms the city as the nation’s sporting capital.

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula today announced the Australian Wallabies will take on the New Zealand All Blacks first at Marvel Stadium on Thursday 15 September 2022 then at the MCG in 2023.

The Bledisloe Cup series is now an annual two-match competition, and this year will mark the return of the All Blacks to Melbourne for the first time since 2010 with that match attracting more than 51,000 fans.

Each match is expected to draw thousands of visitors from Australia and New Zealand, to experience the excitement of the decades long Trans-Tasman rivalry.

The 2023 contest at the MCG will build on the momentum from the 2022 Bledisloe Cup and lead into the Wallabies campaign at the 2023 World Cup in France.

Rugby Union events have delivered strong economic outcomes for Victoria in the past, attracting thousands of fans from Australia and New Zealand. In 2007 more than 17,000 of the 80,000 crowd for the Bledisloe Cup at the MCG, were from outside of Victoria.

The date for the 2023 Bledisloe Cup at the MCG will be announced soon.

The Government is backing the return of a packed calendar of major events in 2022, bringing thousands of visitors and creating local jobs.

As stated by Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula

“Melbourne is the nation’s sporting events capital and we’re stoked to host the Wallabies and All Blacks at our biggest stadiums.”

“The 2022 and 2023 Bledisloe Cup events will bring thousands of fans into Melbourne, boosting hotels, restaurants, and small businesses.”

“We’re investing in major events like this because it means jobs for Victorians.”

As stated by Rugby Australia CEO Andy Marinos

“The home Rugby Championship fixtures conclude with a unique Thursday night Bledisloe Cup Match at Marvel Stadium in what is another blockbuster international sporting event in Melbourne and we know the sporting public there love to get out and support their national teams.”

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