In Brief: IHG Hotels & Resorts has been appointed the Official Hotel Partner of the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027, positioning the company to benefit from increased brand exposure and guest traffic associated with the international sporting event.
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From left: Kenneth Macpherson, Chief Executive Officer, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa, IHG Hotels & Resorts; Yasmin Diamond, Executive Vice President, Global Corporate Affairs, IHG Hotels & Resorts; and Michel Poussau, Chief Revenue Officer, World Rugby. – Image Credit IHG Hotels & Resorts
IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) today announced it has been named Official Hotel Partner of Rugby World Cup 2027, a significant global partnership that strengthens IHG’s connection to rugby’s biggest stage and creates exciting opportunities for fans and IHG One Rewards members around the world.
Taking place in Australia from 1 October to 13 November next year, Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 will be the largest edition of the tournament to date, bringing together 24 teams across 52 matches to fans in seven different Host Cities. As the pinnacle event in one of the world’s great global sports, the tournament represents a unique opportunity to welcome travelling fans, bring IHG One Rewards members closer to unforgettable experiences and support a landmark moment for rugby in Australia and across the globe.
As rugby’s biggest stage comes together with IHG’s world-class hospitality and venues, the collaboration will help to elevate the tournament’s fan experience and create memorable moments both on and off the field.
The partnership builds on IHG’s long-standing commitment to rugby and further strengthens its role as one of the game’s most established global hospitality partners. Through relationships spanning Rugby Australia, SANZAAR, Six Nations Rugby and the Qatar Airways British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia 2025, IHG has supported some of rugby’s most iconic competitions and experiences for more than two decades, helping bring fans, teams and communities closer to memorable moments on and off the field.
As Official Hotel Partner, IHG will play a key role in welcoming teams, officials and fans to Australia, while using its hotel network, hospitality expertise and IHG One Rewards platform to help bring supporters closer to the tournament experience.
Kenneth Macpherson, Chief Executive Officer, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “Our partnerships are about driving commercial value for our hotels and owners, and creating opportunities to delight guests. Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 will bring teams and fans from around the world to Australia, driving significant accommodation demand in the host market, while also giving IHG a powerful global platform to build awareness of our brands and hotels with millions of rugby fans internationally.
“Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 is one of sport’s great global occasions, bringing people together around a shared passion. As Official Hotel Partner, we have an opportunity not only to support that experience in Australia, but also to engage fans and IHG One Rewards members across key international markets before, during and beyond the tournament.
“With more than 160 million IHG One Rewards members globally, the partnership gives us another meaningful way to deepen loyalty, create distinctive experiences and introduce IHG to new audiences. That value extends well beyond the tournament itself, strengthening consideration and demand across our global hotel network and creating long-term value for our brands, hotels and owners.”
Michel Poussau, Chief Revenue Officer, World Rugby, said: “Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 will be the biggest edition of our tournament to date and a spectacular celebration of rugby, Australia and the fans who will travel from every corner of the world to be part of it. Welcoming IHG Hotels & Resorts as Official Hotel Partner is an important part of delivering that experience at the scale and standard this iconic event deserves.
“From the moment fans begin planning their journey, through to the 24 teams, match officials and guests arriving in Australia, the partnership with IHG will help take the Rugby World Cup experience to the next level. Together, we want to create a warm welcome and unforgettable moments across the tournament, from hotels and Host Cities to stadiums and Fan Festivals.”