2019 Rugby World Cup Venues & Matches
For the first time in Asia, the Rugby World Cup will be hold in this continent this year. The 9th Rugby World Cup will start in Japan on September 20 and it will finish on November 2.
The opening of this great tournament will be at the Ajinomoto Stadium, which is one of the 12 stadiums that will receive thousands of rugby fans from all over the world.
2019 Rugby World Cup Stadiums & Schedule
As it was mentioned before, 12 stadiums around the country will be hosting more than 40 matches. Here you have interesting information about each venue:
Tokyo Stadium
This stadium is also known as Ajinomoto Stadium, and it is one of the main 2019 Rugby World Cup venues. It was chosen as the place to hold the opening ceremony of this important world cup.
The Tokyo Stadium was officially opened in March 2001 and it is placed in Chofu, Tokyo. The area where the stadium is located was formerly used by the United States Forces Japan 18 years ago. Another curious fact about this venue is that it was used in 2011 as a shelter for survivors of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.
The Tokyo or Ajinomoto Stadium is also used for concerts, flea markets and some other purposes; that is why this venue is a multi-purpose stadium. Also, it will be probably used as one of the Summer Olympics stadiums in 2020.
How to get there?
It is pretty simple to get to the Tokyo Stadium. You have two ways: you can go to the Shinjuku Station and it will take you about 10 or 15 minutes from there. You can also go on the Keio Line and go from Shibuya Station to Tobitakyu Station. It will take you about 30 minutes and then about 5 minutes on foot from that station to the Tokyo Stadium.
How many people can fit in?
This venue has capacity of 49,970 spectators and it is divided in two levels. 20,600 people can be accommodated in the upper part, while the lower part can accommodate 29,370 visitors.
Which matches will be played at the Tokyo Stadium?
Eight rugby matches will take place at the Tokyo Stadium. Do not miss any of them! Here is the list of those matches:
Friday 20 September – 19:45 (UTC+09:00) | 🇯🇵 Japan vs. 🇷🇺 Russia
Saturday 21 September – 16:15 (UTC+09:00) | 🇫🇷 France vs. 🇦🇷 Argentina
Sun 29 September – 16:45 (UTC+09:00) | 🇦🇺 Australia vs. 🇬🇧 Wales
Saturday 05 October – 17:00 (UTC+09:00) | 🇬🇧 England vs. 🇦🇷 Argentina
Sunday 06 October – 13:45 (UTC+09:00) | 🇳🇿 New Zealand vs. 🇳🇦 Namibia
Saturday 19 October – 19:15 (UTC+09:00) | Quarter-Final 2
Sunday 20 October – 19:15(UTC+09:00) | Quarter-Final 4
Friday 01 November – 18:00 (UTC+09:00) | Bronze Final
Sapporo Dome
The Sapporo Dome was opened on June 3, 2001. It is located in Toyohira-ku, in Sapporo. This venue is mainly used by the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters baseball team and the Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo football club.
The Sapporo Dome hosted 3 matches of the first round during the 2002 FIFA World Cup. This stadium also hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in 2007. In 2008 and 2010, it was also used as a super special stage in Rally Japan.
This venue has a retractable surface for both baseball and football teams. The Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters baseball team play on an underlying artificial turf field; and the Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo football club play on a grass pitch that slides into an out of the stadium.
How to get there?
If you want to visit the Sapporo Dome, you need to take the Togo Line and go from Sapporo Subway Station to Fukuzumi Subway Station; that will take you about 13 minutes. The Sapporo Dome is 500 meter from that last station, so it will take you approximately 10 minutes on foot to arrive to the stadium.
How many people can fit in?
41,410 visitors is the capacity of the Sapporo Dome.
Which matches will be played at the Sapporo Dome?
Only two games will be played at the Sapporo Dome. These rugby matches are:
Saturday 21 September – 13:45 (UTC+09:00) | 🇦🇺 Australia vs. 🇫🇯 Fiji
Sunday 22 September – 19:15 (UTC+09:00) | 🇬🇧 England vs. 🇹🇴 Tonga
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Nissan Stadium
It was previously known as the International Stadium Yokohama until 2005. This international stadium opened in 1998 and it has hosted several important matches. In 2001 two games of the FIFA Confederation Cup were played at this stadium. Then, in 2002, four important matches of the FIFA World Cup were played there, including the World Cup final between Brazil and Germany.
Apart from those sport events, different concerts have been held in this international stadium. However, only Japanese and South Korean bands and groups have used the Yokohama Stadium for their concerts.
How to get there?
You need to go to the JR Yokohama Line, from Yokohama Station to Shinyokohama Station; it will take you about 10 minutes. You can also take the Yokohama Municipal Subway and walk for about 15 minutes to the stadium.
How many people can fit in?
This stadium has a capacity of 72,327 visitors. This makes the International Stadium Yokohama the one with the highest seating capacity in the whole country.
Which matches will be played at the Nissan Stadium?
Eight games will be played at the International Stadium Yokohama, including both semi finals matches and the world cup final. Here you have the list of those games:
Saturday 21 September – 18:45 (UTC+09:00) | 🇳🇿 New Zealand vs. 🇿🇦 South Africa
Sunday 22 September – 16:45 (UTC+09:00) | 🇮🇪 Ireland vs. 🇬🇧 Scotland
Saturday 12 October – 17:15 (UTC+09:00) | 🇬🇧 England vs. 🇫🇷 France
Sunday 13 October – 19:45 (UTC+09:00) | 🇯🇵 Japan vs. 🇬🇧 Scotland
Saturday 26 October – 17:00 (UTC+09:00) | Semi-Final 1
Sunday 27 October – 18:00 (UTC+09:00) | Semi-Final 2
Saturday 02 November – 18:00 (UTC+09:00) | Cup Final
Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa
The Shizuoka Stadium is a sport venue that is mainly used for football purposes. It is the centerpiece of the Ogasayama Sports Park. Although it was created primarily for football, it is now the most important stadium for other sport events in Shizuoka. Like other venues, the Shizuoka Stadium also hosted different matches during the FIFA World Cup in 2002.
How to get there?
On the JR Tokaido line, you can go from Hamamatsu Station to Aino Station. It will take you about 20 minutes; then you will need to walk for about 15 minutes from there to the stadium.
How many people can fit in?
50,889 people can accommodate in the Shizuoka Stadium. It is one of the biggest stadiums in Japan after the International Stadium Yokohama.
Which matches will be played at the Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa?
Only four matches will be held at the Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa. Check the list of the games below:
Saturday 28 September – 16:15 (UTC+09:00) | 🇯🇵 Japan vs. 🇮🇪 Ireland
Friday 04 October – 18:45 (UTC+09:00) | 🇿🇦 South Africa vs. 🇮🇹 Italy
Wednesday 09 October – 16:15 (UTC+09:00) | 🇬🇧 Scotland vs. 🇷🇺 Russia
Friday 11 October – 19:15 (UTC+09:00) | 🇦🇺 Australia vs. 🇬🇪 Georgia
Oita Stadium
The Showa Denko Dome Oita, or just the Oita Stadium, is another multi-purpose stadium where the 2019 Rugby World Cup will be held. Although it is mainly used for football purposes and it is the home field of the Oita Trinita Club, this stadium is also used for other matters. It was opened in May 2001 and it was part of the stadiums that were chosen for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
How many people can fit in?
The Oita Stadium has a capacity of 40,000 visitors. It initially had 43,000 seats, but when the 2002 FIFA World Cup finished, 3,000 of those seats were removed.
How to get there?
You need to go to 3rd platform on JR Kyudai Line, JR Nippo Line, or JR Hohi Line and take the Oita Bus to Oita Sport Park Higashi bound for Park Place via Mera BP. It will take you 45 minutes, then 5 minutes on foot to the stadium.
Which matches will be played at the Oita Stadium?
Four matches will be held at the Oita Stadium. Check them out:
Wednesday 02 October – 19:15 (UTC+09:00) | 🇳🇿 New Zealand vs. 🇨🇦 Canada
Saturday 05 October – 14:15 (UTC+09:00) | 🇦🇺 Australia vs. 🇺🇾 Uruguay
Wednesday 09 October – 18:45 (UTC+09:00) | 🇬🇧 Wales vs. 🇫🇯 Fiji
Saturday 19 October – 16:15 (UTC+09:00) | Quarter-Final 1
Sun 20 Oct – 16:15 (UTC+09:00) | Quarter-Final 2
Hanazono Rugby Stadium
This stadium opened in 1929, so it is the oldest rugby union stadium in Japan. It is located in Higashiosaka, Osaka, next to the Hanazono Central Park. The Hanazono Rugby Stadium is the home of the Kintetsu Liners rugby union team.
During 2017 and 2018 the stadium underwent a great renovation because it was chosen as one of the 2019 Rugby World Cup venues. Then, in October 2018, the stadium was completed and ready to be used during the Rugby World Cup.
How many people can fit in?
The Hanazono Rugby Stadium can receive 30,000 visitors right now, but many years ago its capacity was of 26,544 people.
How to get there?
First you need to go on the Kintetsu Nara Line from Osaka Namba Station to Higashi Hanazono Station. It will take you about 20 minutes. Then, you will need to walk for about 10 minutes to the stadium.
Which matches will be played at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium?
The Hanazono Rugby Stadium will hosting for different games:
Sunday 22 September – 14:15 (UTC+09:00) | 🇮🇹 Italy vs. 🇳🇦 Namibia
Saturday 28 September – 13:45 (UTC+09:00) | 🇦🇷 Argentina v 🇹🇴 Tonga
Thursday 03 October – 14:15 (UTC+09:00) | 🇬🇪 Georgia vs. 🇫🇯 Fiji
Sunday 13 October – 14:45 (UTC+09:00) | 🇺🇸 USA vs. 🇹🇴 Tonga
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Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium
Officially Level5 Stadium, but commonly known just as Fukuoka Stadium, is was on the venues that has been announced for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
How to get there?
When arriving to the Fukuoka Airport, take the Nishitetsu Bus to Higashi-Hirao Koen-Iriguchi bound for AEON Mall Fukuoka; it will take you about 15 minutes to arrive. Then, you need to walk 5 minutes to the stadium.
How many people can fit in?
22,563 is the seating capacity of the Fukuoka or Level5 stadium.
Which matches will be played at the Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium?
The Fukuoka Stadium will host the next three matches:
Thursday 26 September – 16:45 (UTC+09:00) | 🇮🇹 Italy vs. 🇨🇦 Canada
Wednesday 02 October – 16:45 (UTC+09:00) | 🇫🇷 France vs. 🇺🇸 USA
Saturday 12 October – 19:45 (UTC+09:00) | 🇮🇪 Ireland vs. 🇼🇸 Samoa
City of Toyota Stadium
The amazing City of Toyota Stadium was opened in July 21, 2001. This is a retractable roof stadium, it means it has a roof system designed to roll back the roof on tracks so that the interior of the stadium is open to the outdoors. This venue is often used as home of the Nagoya Grampus Club, which is a football club from Toyota. The Toyota Verblitz – a rugby union team – also uses the City of Toyota Stadium.
How many people can fit in?
This stadium can accommodate 45,000 spectators.
How to get there?
Go from the Nagoya Station to Toyotashi Station, it will take you almost an hour or so. Then, you need to walk for about 15 minutes from that station to the stadium.
Which matches will be played at the City of Toyota Stadium?
Only four matches will be played at the City of Toyota Stadium:
Monday 23 September – 19:15 (UTC+09:00) | 🇬🇧 Wales vs. 🇬🇪 Georgia
Saturday 28 September – 18:45 (UTC+09:00) | 🇿🇦 South Africa vs. 🇳🇦 Namibia
Saturday 05 October – 19:30 (UTC+09:00) | 🇯🇵 Japan vs. 🇼🇸 Samoa
Saturday 12 October – 13:45 (UTC+09:00) | 🇳🇿 New Zealand vs. 🇮🇹 Italy
Egao Kenko Stadium
Also know as Kumamoto Stadium, is another multi-purpose that will be part of the 2019 Rugby World Cup venues. This stadium was built and officially opened in 1998 and it is mainly used for football purposes by Roasso Kumamoto football club. However, it is also used for rugby games.
How many people can fit in?
The capacity of this stadium is 32,000 visitors.
How to get there?
Go to Kumamoto Station, on JR Kyushu Shinkansen, JR Kagoshima Line or JR Hohi Line, you will need to take de Kyushu Sanko Bus to Park Dorm Kumamoto Mae, bound for Shika #8 Menkyo Center. It will take you about 50 minutes, then about 5 minutes on foot.
Which matches will be played at the Egao Kenko Stadium?
Kumamoto Stadium will be hosting only two matches:
Sunday 06 October – 16:45 (UTC+09:00) | 🇫🇷 France vs. 🇹🇴 Tonga
Sunday 13 October – 17:15 (UTC+09:00) | 🇬🇧 Wales vs. 🇺🇾 Uruguay
Noevir Stadium Kobe
This stadium is also known as Kobe City Misaki Park Stadium or just Kobe Misaki Stadium. It was opened in 1998 and it is located at Hyogo-ku, Kobe. Although this venue is a football stadium, it is also used for rugby matches. In fact, it is the home stadium of both football and rugby union teams: Vissel Kobe (football club) and Kobelco Steelers (rugby club).
The Kobe Misaki Stadium was renovated in 2001 to host different football matches of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Just like the one on the Sapporo Dome, a retractable roof was installed in the stadium and they also increase the visitors’ capacity to 42,000 people.
How many people can fit in?
After the renovation in 2001 in which they increase the capacity of the stadium, they removed those seats again and reopened the Kobe Misaki stadium with a capacity of 30,132 visitors.
How to get there?
It will take you about 10 minutes from Kobe Sannomiya Station to Misaki Koen Station (on the Kobe City Subway Kaigan Line). Then, you will need to walk for about 5 minutes to the stadium.
Which matches will be played at the Noevir Stadium Kobe?
Four matches will be host in the Kobe Misaki Stadium:
Thursday 26 September – 19:45 (UTC+09:00) | 🇬🇧 England vs. 🇺🇸 USA
Monday 30 September – 19:15 (UTC+09:00) | 🇬🇧 Scotland vs. 🇼🇸 Samoa
Thursday 03 October – 19:15 (UTC+09:00) | 🇮🇪 Ireland vs. 🇷🇺 Russia
Tuesday 08 October – 19:15 (UTC+09:00) | 🇿🇦 South Africa vs. 🇨🇦 Canada
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Kumagaya Rugby Stadium
This rugby stadium was officially built more than 20 years ago, but it was renovated between 2016 and 2018 to expand its capacity. It is part of sport complex that also includes the Kumagaya Atlhetic Stadium and it is the home venue of the Panasonic Wild Knights rugby team. Since it was selected as one of the 2019 Rugby World Cup venues, the stadium underwent new renovations to expand its capacity again.
How many people can fit in?
After this last renovation because of the Rugby World Cup, the capacity of the Kumagaya Rugby Stadium was 24,000 visitors. Now, 6,000 seats were added to this venue to receive 30,000 people.
How to get there?
Take the bullet train to Kumagaya Station on the JR Joetsu Shinkansen Line, Takasaki Line or Syounan-Shinjuku Line. Go out from the North Exit of the Station and take a bus at the bus stop #3 to the Kumagaya Dome or the Kumagaya Sports and Culture Park, it will take you about 10 minutes.
Which matches will be played at the Kumagaya Rugby Stadium?
Tuesday 24 September – 19:15 (UTC+09:00) | 🇷🇺 Russia vs. 🇼🇸 Samoa
Wednesday 09 October – 13:45 (UTC+09:00) | 🇦🇷 Argentina vs. 🇺🇸 USA
Sunday 29 September – 14:15 (UTC+09:00) | 🇬🇪 Georgia vs. 🇺🇾 Uruguay
Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium
Known as Kamaishi Unosumai Stadium, it is is the smallest venue of the 20019 Rugby World Cup. The City of Kamaishi suffered significant damage in 2011 after an earthquake and tsunami, but in 2014 the municipal government announced the construction of the Kamaishi Stadium as part of the post-disaster recovery. Its construction started in April 2017 and it finished in August 2018 when it was officially opened.
How many people can fit in?
This stadium has 6,000 permanent seats. However, during the 2019 Rugby World Cup, 10,000 seats will be added to expand the capacity of the stadium.
Which matches will be played at the Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium?
The Kamashi Stadium will host just the following 2 rugby games:
Sunday 13 October – 12:15 (UTC+09:00) | 🇳🇦 Namibia vs. 🇨🇦 Canada
Wednesday 25 September – 14:15 (UTC+09:00) | 🇫🇯 Fiji vs. 🇺🇾 Uruguay
We hope you have learned about these interesting venues as much as we did and you can enjoy this amazing event with your friends!
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