In a landmark announcement for international rugby union, Ireland will lock horns with Australia in a historic first-ever Test match on Canberra’s home soil at GIO Stadium on September 18, 2027, serving as a critical warm-up fixture ahead of the men’s Rugby World Cup hosted on Australian shores.
The clash will come just under two weeks before the tournament gets underway for the host nation. Australia, nicknamed the Wallabies, will open their 2027 World Cup campaign against Hong Kong China in Perth on October 1, while Ireland – currently ranked among the top rugby nations globally – will kick off their tournament three days later against Portugal in Sydney.
GIO Stadium holds an unblemished winning record for the Wallabies in Test matches: the Australian side has claimed victory in all five Tests they have played at the venue to date, with their most recent outing at the ground a 45-20 win over Argentina back in 2017. The venue also welcomed a major rugby event just last year, when the British & Irish Lions faced off against the ACT Brumbies during their Australian tour. That 2025 clash, which ended in a 36-24 victory for the Lions, saw three current Irish internationals – James Lowe, Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier – all cross the try line, giving the Irish squad valuable prior experience of the ground’s playing surface.
The most recent meeting between the two rugby powerhouses ended in a dominant Irish win, with Andy Farrell’s side running out 46-19 victors during the November 2026 Test window in Dublin. That result has added an extra layer of anticipation for the 2027 rematch in Canberra, as Australia looks to reverse their recent losing streak against the top-ranked Irish side.
Speaking on the announcement, Rugby Australia Chief Executive Phil Waugh highlighted the deep passion for rugby that permeates the Canberra community, pointing to the unprecedented turnout for last year’s Lions-Brumbies fixture as evidence. “The rugby community in Canberra is deeply passionate and holds a great appreciation for international touring teams, as we witnessed last year when the biggest GIO Stadium Canberra rugby crowd in 20 years packed the venue for the Brumbies’ thrilling match against the British & Irish Lions,” Waugh said.
“This will be the Wallabies’ first Test match at GIO Stadium Canberra in a decade, and their first ever encounter against Ireland in the city, coming as both teams put the final touches on their preparations for the eagerly-anticipated home Rugby World Cup,” he added. Waugh also extended official thanks to Australian Capital Territory Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry for their ongoing support of elite Test rugby in the region, at a pivotal moment of growth for the sport across Australia.
Before the 2027 World Cup warm-up, the two nations will not have to wait long to meet again: Ireland is scheduled to face Australia as part of the inaugural Nations Championship summer tour, kicking off in Sydney on July 4 this year. Ireland’s 2026 summer tour will then see the side face Japan one week after the Australia clash, before wrapping up the tour with a Test against New Zealand in Auckland on July 18.