2019 Rugby World Cup

Japan's venues confirmed for 2019 Rugby World Cup

ESPN Staff

The New National Stadium in Tokyo will host part of the World Cup © Japan Sport Council Enlarge

World Rugby has unveiled the 12 venues that will host the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

The Venues Sapporo Dome, Sapporo City

Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium, Iwate Prefecture/Kamaishi City

Kumagaya Rugby Ground, Saitama Prefecture/Kumagaya City

New National Stadium Japan, Tokyo

International Stadium Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture/Yokohama City

Ogasayama Sports Park Ecopa Stadium, Shizuoka Prefecture

Toyota Stadium, Aichi Prefecture/Toyota City

Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Osaka Prefecture/Higashi Osaka City

Kobe City Misaki Park Stadium, Kobe City

Hakatanomori Football Stadium, Fukuoka City

Kumamoto Prefectural Athletic Stadium, Kumamoto Prefecture/Kumamoto City

Oita Stadium, Oita Prefecture

The stadiums take in the full the length and breadth of the country with the capacities ranging from Tokyo's 80,000 to Kamaishi City's 15,000. The final 12 were picked from 15 submitted venues and Japan Rugby 2019 CEO Akira Shimazu thanked all of those involved and said the decisions were made on the requirements of the tournament.

"I extend my deepest appreciation to all of the 15 candidates and their local governments for participating in the host application process," Shimazu said. "Each of the candidate cities had excellent credentials to host. Of course, we would like to have had all of the candidates as hosts but we made our selections with the RWCL Board and their deep knowledge of tournament operation needs. Rather than any particular individual candidate rating, we decided on the final selection based the overall needs of the tournament."

For World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasset, he believes the announcement is a milestone for the growth of the global game.

"This is an important milestone for the tournament," Lapasset said. "Now we know exactly where the matches will be staged in Japan and, more importantly, the people of those cities and fans around the world can start planning for the big event.

"In 2019, hundreds of thousands of rugby fans will descend on Japan and millions more will watch on television as the world's best players compete for the right to lift the Webb Ellis Cup. It will be a wonderful tournament and, as it's the first time Rugby World Cup will take place in Asia, it will be an important milestone for us as we continue to make good on our commitment to grow the global game."

World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper added: "Throughout the venue selection process we have been very impressed with the level of engagement by the cities and prefectures in Japan. They all have shown a remarkable level of commitment and enthusiasm to be a part of staging Rugby World Cup 2019. I would like to congratulate the successful cities but also thank each and every one of the applicants and also Japan Rugby 2019 who have led on this process."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd