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RWC 2019

Exciting Nationwide Festival In Japan Set To Mark Two Years To Go Until RWC 2019

in Japan, Rugby World Cup 2019, News by

With Japan preparing to become the first Asian nation to host Rugby World Cup, a 46-day tour of all host cities and Top League teams, will provide a fitting and ambitious way to mark the major milestone.Kicking off in style with a public extravaganza at Shibuya 109 – one of central Tokyo’s busiest and most recognisable landmarks – the Webb Ellis Cup will be the inspirational centrepiece of a festival that will encourage this sports-loving nation to connect through rugby, create lasting memories and celebrate the hosting of what will be the biggest sporting event to be held in the Land of the Rising Sun for nearly 20 years.

From Sapporo City in the north to Kumamoto in the south, from Fukuoka to Kamaishi and many more places in between, the cup will be the guest of honour as this exciting festival travels the length and breadth of Japan. In all, the following prefectures will be visited: Tokyo, Saitama, Oita, Shizuoka, Iwate, Kumamoto, Osaka, Aichi, Hyogo, Fukuoka, Sapporo and Kanagawa.

The festival will reach a fitting climax at the international stadium in Yokohama, coinciding with the Japan v Australia match on 4 November, almost two years to the day before the Rugby World Cup 2019 final is played at the very same venue.

Japan Rugby 2019 CEO Akira Shimazu said: “We are delighted to announce details of the Rugby World Cup 2019 two-years-to-go festival that will connect the host cities, create a nationwide celebration and go forward to inspire and excite the people of Japan ahead of the tournament.”

RWC 2019

Rugby World Cup Tournament Director Alan Gilpin added: “The two-years-to-go festival represents a fantastic opportunity for the whole of Japan to celebrate hosting Rugby World Cup 2019 and engage with activities that will give a flavour of what is to come in two years’ time.”

Date Day Pref. Venue Details
20 Sept Wed Tokyo/Shibuya SHIBUYA 109 Venue for the 2 Years to Go Festival opening ceremony
22 Sept Fri Tokyo Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium Top League match venue
23 Sept Sat Saitama Kumagaya Sports & Culture Park Athletic Stadium Top League match venue
24 Sept Sun Oita Oita Stadium Top League match venue
30 Sept Sat Shizuoka Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa Top League match venue
07 Oct Sat Iwate Morioka South Park Football Stadium Top League match venue
09 Oct Mon Kumamoto TBD TBD
14 Oct Sat Osaka Expo ’70 Commemorative Stadium Top League match venue
21 Oct Sat Aichi Mizuho Rugby Field Top League match venue
22-Oct Sun Hyogo Kobe Misaki Stadium Top League match venue
28-Oct Sat Fukuoka Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium Match venue
29-Oct Sun Sapporo TBD TBD
04-Nov Sat Kanagawa International Stadium Yokohama Japan vs. Australia match venue

For further information about the festival activities, please contact the JR 2019 Communication Department (Phone: +81-3-6438-6321 Email: pr@japanrugby2019.org)