Brief
IHG rolls out luxury hotel upgrades for 2027 Rugby World Cup
IHG will revamp existing properties and add new brands across three Australian cities ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
By Felo News Desk · Published
IHG Hotels & Resorts has unveiled a multi‑city upgrade programme as the Official Hotel Partner of the 2027 Rugby World Cup, which kicks off in Perth on 1 October 2027.
What happened
In Brisbane, the former Hilton on Queen Street Mall will be converted into InterContinental Brisbane with a redesigned atrium, new Argentinian grill, updated room schemes, a Club InterContinental lounge and expanded wellness facilities. The Woods Bagot redesign will keep the hotel open during works, with completion expected by early 2028.
Melbourne’s riverside Crowne Plaza will become InterContinental Melbourne, adding a rooftop restaurant, club lounge and bathhouse. Additionally, InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto will be rebranded as Regent Melbourne by 2030, bringing the ultra‑luxury brand back after a 28‑year gap.
In Canberra, the Crowne Plaza site will be redeveloped to host both an InterContinental with suites and a rooftop lounge overlooking Parliament House, and a new Hotel Indigo. IHG will also launch its extended‑stay Staybridge Suites brand in Australia.
What the reports add
The SMH article notes that more than half of the tournament’s 2.5 million tickets have already been sold, with pool matches priced from $40 for adults and $65 for Wallabies games. World Rugby says IHG hotels will host watch parties in all seven host cities and have a presence at stadiums and fan festivals, though hotel stays do not guarantee match tickets.
What was said
IHG has promised “special Rugby World Cup experiences” for members of its free IHG One Rewards loyalty programme, though details remain undisclosed, according to the SMH report.
How it came about
IHG’s partnership aligns with the broader push to accommodate the influx of visitors for the World Cup, which will see Brisbane host ten matches, Melbourne eight, Sydney the semi‑finals and final, and Adelaide six pool games. Earlier Felo coverage highlighted former All‑Blacks star Dan Carter urging the Wallabies to learn from past World Cups (article), underscoring the tournament’s significance for Australian rugby.
Key facts
- IHG will transform the former Hilton in Brisbane into InterContinental Brisbane with new dining and wellness facilities. (smh.com.au)
- Melbourne’s Crowne Plaza will become InterContinental Melbourne with a rooftop restaurant and club lounge. (smh.com.au)
- Canberra’s Crowne Plaza site will host an InterContinental hotel and a new Hotel Indigo. (smh.com.au)
- IHG will introduce Staybridge Suites, its extended‑stay brand, to Australia. (smh.com.au)
- IHG promises special Rugby World Cup experiences for IHG One Rewards members, though details are not yet released. (smh.com.au)
Sources
- [1] smh.com.au — originally reported as “Luxury hotels launching for 2027 Rugby World Cup: Upgrades and new arrivals coming to Brisbane, Melbourne and Canberra”
