We will bid to be a Rugby World Cup training base

Central Coast councillors have unanimously supported a proposal for the Coast to bid to host a Base Training Camp for international teams participating in the Rugby World Cup 2027.

The Men’s Rugby World Cup takes place in Australia between October 1 and November 13, 2027 with pool games starting earlier.

The move would build on the successful outcome of the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) Women’s World Cup 2023, which saw the Coast host two of the top five international teams.

Team Germany was at the Central Coast Regional Sporting and Recreation Complex (CCRSRC) at Tuggerah and Team England at the Central Coast Stadium in Gosford.

And it could be extended to 2029 when the Women’s Rugby World Cup comes along.

In a report supported by the councillors at the February 25 meeting, CCRSRC is the preferred venue proposed for hosting the rugby base camp.

The complex meets most of the requirements for an Open Training Venue as described by Rugby World Cup Australia (RWCA).

In June 2024, Council submitted an Expression of Interest for Base Camp hosting rights to Rugby World Cup Australia Pty Ltd.

In December 2024, Council received a Request for Proposal (RFP) from RWCA.

In January 2025, Council submitted a confirmation of the intent to submit a proposal pending the outcome of Council’s meeting.

The councillors chose to charge RWCA 50% for Fees and Charges.

Council will offset 50% of the Fees and Charges as value-in-kind with a maximum exposure of contribution from Council in the sum of $42,000 and $42,000 value in kind for an eight-week hire term.

Exclusive use of the venue is required from September 20, 2027 – 10 days prior to the commencement of the tournament on October 1 – and up to two days after the conclusion of the tournament on November 15, 2027.

CCRSRC is recognised for its pitch integrity and service excellence for visiting international and elite teams, having recently welcomed other international teams for the Asian Football Confederation Asian Champions League (Japan, Malaysia, China, Thailand) with positive testimonials received, as well as having hosted training camps for Germany (FIFA), NZ Warriors and Melbourne Rebels.

Council said the proposal will seek to negotiate certain rights in exchange for the value-in-kind.

“Such Rights may include marketing and promotional opportunities such as Open-to-Public training
session/s, Meet and Greets, Branded Collateral, Match Tickets etc,” Council said.

“The 2023 FIFA contract, specifically with reference to Team Germany’s attendance at the
CCRSRC from 12 July to 2 August 2023 (3 weeks), generated an estimated economic return of
$366,984.00 to our region.

“This excludes the economic value generated by the appointment of the Industree Group Stadium, in Gosford, to Team England.”