WA secures global sports festival to boost tourism and economy

  • Perth to host Golden Oldies World Rugby Festival in 2023 
  • Event expected to attract about 2,000 out-of-State visitors
  • Supported by the McGowan Government through Tourism WA 
  • Rugby players and supporters from around the world will converge on Perth in 2023 for the Golden Oldies World Rugby Festival.

    The festival has been secured for the first time in more than 30 years as part of Western Australia’s events strategy to boost tourism and increase economic activity.

    The Golden Oldies World Rugby Festival will be held from March 19 to 26, 2023 at Langley Park in Perth. It will combine social and competitive grade games for players and tourism experiences for the visitors.

    Supported by the McGowan Government through Tourism WA, the festival is expected to attract about 2,000 out-of-State visitors and generate about $5.7 million in economic impact.

    Tickets to the festival will be sold as part of event packages that include accommodation, social events and day tours to help support local tourism operators and encourage visitors to extend their stay in WA.

    The Golden Oldies is a series of global sporting festivals for recreational and social players in the 35-plus age bracket.

    The rugby festival will be the third Golden Oldies festival to be held in Perth, following the Golden Oldies World Netball Festival in 2007 and the Golden Oldies World Rugby Festival in 1991.

    More information is available at https://www.goldenoldiesrugby.org

    As stated by Tourism Minister Roger Cook:

    “Securing the Golden Oldies World Rugby Festival is an important part of Tourism WA’s work to build an exciting calendar of events for the coming years.

    “I’m excited to welcome this event back to WA for the first time since 1991.

    “Any returning players to the State are sure to notice how much more our city and State now offers visitors.

    “With the potential to attract about 2,000 out-of-State visitors and inject about $5.7 million into the economy, there’s no question this event will be great for local businesses and the economy.”

    /Public Release. View in full here.