Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Get ready Perth! The Perth CBD could be hosting a free fan festival throughout the Men’s Rugby World Cup next year.
The festival would run for at least 19 days throughout the tournament and feature a stage and screen, food and beverages, music and entertainment.
The news comes as City of Perth officers recommend the council approve spending $979,400 on Tourism WA’s plans for the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup, which will officially open in Perth on October 1, 2027.
The spending aims to ensure visitors experience more than just the match at the stadium, with Tourism WA pitching the free Rugby World Cup Fan Festival at Supreme Court Gardens.
The investment includes way-finding, banners, digital screens, lighting and fan ambassadors across locations including Perth Station, Perth Busport, Perth Underground and Elizabeth Quay.
Perth officers said the city’s support would help “transform RWC2027 from a stadium-based event into a city-wide major event” and with Tourism WA describing the festival as “the place to be, beyond the stadium”.
The city would provide $384,400 in in-kind support and $595,000 in hard costs.
This includes $196,000 worth of Supreme Court Gardens hire, $137,000 for turf management and $262,000 towards event services such as Wi-Fi, utilities, cleaning, security and first aid.
A further $40,000 would cover Forrest Place venue hire for a merchandise and ticketing superstore.
If approved, the city would also spend $196,000 on the hire and installation of banners, while $35,000 would be allocated to event signage.
Another $100,000 cash contribution is proposed for a “Last Mile” activation, designed to create a highly visible fan journey between public transport hubs and the Fan Festival.
The funds would come out of the city’s major events activation reserve.
The proposal also flags the potential creation of “Union Houses” — dedicated fan hubs for visiting nations at local venues which would be alongside fan zones, hospitality experiences and other activities designed to increase visitor spending and time spent in the CBD.
Tourism WA says the city would receive “exclusive host city recognition”, including access to an official “Perth | Boorloo” Host City mark for approved activations.
Tourism WA estimates the tournament will attract 250,000 international visitors, while nation-wide visitor expenditure is forecast to reach over $1 million.
The tournament is expected to generate significant international exposure, with the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France recording 3.1 billion digital and social media impressions and 1.33 billion viewing hours.
Perth is expected to host up to six of the world’s top 10-ranked teams, including New Zealand, Ireland, Australia and South Africa.
The council is scheduled to consider the proposal at its August 25 meeting.
