Two of rugby union’s powerhouse nations will take on Australia’s Wallabies at Optus Stadium over the next two years thanks to a deal struck by the State Government, through Tourism WA and Rugby Australia.
On August 29, Australia will take on South Africa in South Africa’s only match on Australian soil in 2020. The game is expected to attract thousands of rugby fans from around Australia eager to see the Rugby World Cup champions in action against the Wallabies.
And the Bledisloe Cup is expected to pull another blockbuster crowd in 2021 at Optus Stadium when the Wallabies take on the New Zealand All Blacks.
Perth hosted its first-ever Bledisloe Cup in August last year at Optus Stadium, when the Wallabies scored a sensational victory over their rivals.
The game created a new attendance record of more than 61,000 for a sporting match at Optus Stadium, with close to 7,400 visitors travelling to Perth for the historic event and pouring more than $12.5 million into the Western Australian economy through visitor spend.
Both South Africa and New Zealand have significant expat populations in WA, with the opportunity to visit friends and relatives and watch world-class rugby expected to be a big motivator for people to travel to the State.
Both the Wallabies versus Springboks game and the Bledisloe Cup will be televised live into New Zealand and South Africa and a number of Tourism WA’s key international markets.
As stated by Tourism Minister Paul Papalia:
“Locking in these two great rugby union rivalries is good news for our State’s tourism industry.
“Both South Africa and New Zealand are in WA’s top five countries of birth, so we’re expecting lots of local expats to jump at the chance to see these games. We’re also encouraging them to invite their friends and family to visit them in Perth and combine a family catch-up with some world-class rugby.
“When we last hosted the Bledisloe Cup here, the total spend by visiting rugby fans for that event alone was more than $12.5 million, so locking in two Rugby Championships events is an incredible win for the State in terms of supporting small businesses and jobs.”
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray:
“The Wallabies-Springboks match will be the world-champions’ only visit to Australia in 2020, providing a real drawcard for ex-pats from around the country to visit Perth for the clash.
“People voted with their feet at Perth’s first Bledisloe Cup last year, and we’re looking forward to building on that terrific success with the follow up in 2021.”
