Tokyo’s soccer World Cup final venue to host title decider for RWC 2019
Smaller-capacity Yokohama Stadium chosen because of delays over proposed Japanese national stadium
Yokohama Stadium, which staged the 2002 soccer World Cup final, will replace Japan's new national stadium as the venue for the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, World Rugby confirmed on Monday.
Japan's organisers caught the sport's governing body off guard in July when they announced the proposed new 80,000 national stadium, the centrepiece of the 2020 Olympic Games, would not be completed in time to host matches during the first Rugby World Cup in Asia.
The venue, whose original design was scrapped by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe because of escalating costs, was also due to host the tournament's opening ceremony and match.
These are exciting, unprecedented times for Japan rugby and this revised road map reinforces and reflects the shared vision and mission to deliver a Rugby World Cup that will be great for Japan, great for Asia and great for rugby
World Rugby said the 50,000-seat Tokyo Stadium, home to local soccer club FC Tokyo, would now take the opening ceremony honour. The body also announced a new road map after a complete review of the plan.
"These are exciting, unprecedented times for Japan rugby and this revised road map reinforces and reflects the shared vision and mission to deliver a Rugby World Cup that will be great for Japan, great for Asia and great for rugby," World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasset said.
The tone of satisfaction was in stark contrast to the body's feelings in July, when it requested urgent talks after Abe ordered a scaled-back version. The delays meant the new national stadium was not scheduled to be finished until early 2020.
The smaller capacity at the Tokyo Stadium will be a blow to World Rugby and local organisers keen to tap into Japan's growing appetite for the game.