Bledisloe Cup Returns to the MCG
Rugby’s biggest trans-Tasman rivalry is heading back to Melbourne. Rugby Australia has confirmed that the Wallabies will host the All Blacks at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Bledisloe Cup on Saturday 31 July 2027, with a second Bledisloe Test also locked in for Melbourne in 2029.
The announcement brings a major Test back to the city’s most famous stadium in a huge year for Australian rugby, with the Rugby World Cup kicking off on home soil just two months later. This article covers the key details, the history of rugby at the MCG, why Melbourne matters, and what fans can expect.
The Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Wallabies vs All Blacks, Bledisloe Cup Game 2 |
| Date | Saturday 31 July 2027 |
| Kick-off | 3:45pm local time |
| Venue | Melbourne Cricket Ground |
| Competition | Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship |
| Milestone | 185th meeting between the two nations |
| Tickets | On sale through Ticketek |
The deal was secured through a partnership between Rugby Australia, the Victorian Government, and Visit Victoria. Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh described the MCG as “one of the world’s great stadiums – and a jewel in Australia’s sporting crown.”
A Three-Test Bledisloe Series in 2027
The 2027 Bledisloe Cup returns to a three-Test format, with matches spread across both countries:
- Game 1: an ANZAC Day Test at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, on Sunday 25 April
- Game 2: the MCG Test on Saturday 31 July
- Game 3: in New Zealand, with the venue to be confirmed
The ANZAC Day Test will be the first Bledisloe Cup match played on that date, adding extra meaning to the series opener.
Even More Meetings in a World Cup Year
The two teams will also meet at the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Australia and New Zealand are both in Pool A, and their pool match is set for Saturday 9 October at Accor Stadium in Sydney. That means the Wallabies and All Blacks will play at least four times in 2027, with the chance of a fifth meeting in the knockout rounds.
A Brief History of the Bledisloe Cup
The Bledisloe Cup is one of rugby’s most famous trophies. It was donated by Lord Bledisloe, then Governor-General of New Zealand, and was first contested in the early 1930s. Since then, it has become the main prize in the rivalry between the two nations.
New Zealand have held the trophy for most of its history, and Australia have not won it since 2002. That long drought adds pressure and motivation every time the Wallabies host a Bledisloe Test, especially in front of a crowd the size of the MCG’s.
Rugby History at the MCG
The MCG is best known for cricket and Australian rules football, but it has a proud record of hosting huge rugby crowds. According to the venue, all four Bledisloe Cup matches played there have drawn more than 75,000 fans.
| Date | Match | Attendance |
|---|---|---|
| 26 July 1997 | Australia vs New Zealand | 90,119 |
| 11 July 1998 | Australia vs New Zealand | 75,147 |
| 30 June 2007 | Australia vs New Zealand | 78,959 |
| 29 July 2023 | Australia vs New Zealand | 83,944 |
| 26 July 2025 | Wallabies vs British and Irish Lions | 90,307 |
The four previous Bledisloe Tests at the MCG are evenly split, with each team winning two. The most recent, in 2023, ended in a 38 to 7 win for New Zealand. The 2027 match will also mark 30 years since the two sides first met at the ground.
A Record-Breaking Lions Test
The 1997 Bledisloe Test held the MCG’s rugby union attendance record for almost three decades, until the 2025 Wallabies versus British and Irish Lions Test drew 90,307 fans. That crowd showed just how much appetite Melbourne has for big-event rugby, and it played a key role in bringing the Bledisloe Cup back.
Why Melbourne Matters for Rugby
Victoria has been without a professional rugby team since the Melbourne Rebels left Super Rugby after the 2024 season. That has made major Test matches even more important for keeping the sport visible in the state.
A Bledisloe Test at the MCG offers several benefits:
- Visibility: a huge crowd and national television audience in an Australian rules city
- Inspiration: young Victorian players get to see the Wallabies and All Blacks up close
- Tourism: the Victorian Government’s investment is aimed at attracting visitors and international attention
- Commercial value: large crowds help Rugby Australia’s finances in a critical period
For Victoria’s community clubs, from the Dewar Shield to junior programs, a Test of this size can attract new players, volunteers, and supporters.
The State of the Rivalry
Australia will need to lift their performance to make the MCG Test a contest. New Zealand have dominated the Bledisloe Cup in recent years, and in October 2026 the All Blacks beat the Wallabies 50 to 19 at Eden Park and 43 to 21 in Sydney, extending their winning run in Bledisloe Tests.
Wallabies head coach Les Kiss called the Sydney first-half performance “just not acceptable.” By July 2027, his team will have had more time together, plus the ANZAC Day Test as a first chance at revenge.
What Fans Can Expect
- A massive crowd: based on history, a crowd well above 75,000 is likely
- A winter afternoon kick-off: the 3:45pm start suits families and travelling fans
- World Cup build-up: both teams will be fine-tuning combinations ahead of the tournament
- Festival atmosphere: Melbourne’s big-event culture usually brings fan zones and city-wide buzz
- Travelling supporters: large numbers of New Zealand fans are likely to make the short trip across the Tasman, adding colour and noise to the occasion
Tips for Getting Tickets
- Buy early through the official seller, Ticketek, as big Bledisloe Tests often sell strongly
- Avoid unofficial resale sites to reduce the risk of invalid tickets
- Plan travel early if coming from interstate or New Zealand
- Use public transport to the MCG, as parking is limited on major event days
Getting to the MCG
The MCG sits in Yarra Park, a short walk from Melbourne’s city centre. Richmond and Jolimont train stations are both close to the ground, and trams run nearby along Wellington Parade and Swan Street. On big event days, extra public transport services are often scheduled, and walking from Flinders Street Station through the parklands is a popular option. Arriving early helps avoid queues at the gates and gives time to enjoy the pre-match atmosphere.
Looking Ahead to 2029
The multi-year agreement also brings another Bledisloe Cup Test to Melbourne in 2029. Details such as the date have not yet been announced, but the commitment gives Victorian rugby fans another major event to look forward to beyond the World Cup year.
Final Thoughts
The Bledisloe Cup returns to the MCG on 31 July 2027, adding a blockbuster Melbourne Test to a three-match series and a home World Cup year. With a proud history of 75,000-plus crowds, a recent attendance record set by the Lions, and another Test confirmed for 2029, the MCG is once again set to be one of rugby’s great stages.
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