LONDON — The International Rugby federation has adopted revised plans for the 2019 World Cup in Japan, with the tournament final to be held in Yokohama.
Japan’s hosting right was thrown into turmoil in July when Prime Minister Shinzo Abe scrapped the design for the new National Stadium, the Tokyo centerpiece of the Rugby World Cup and 2020 Olympics, because the costs ballooned to an unprecedented $2 billion.
The 80,000-seat capacity stadium, which won’t be ready in time for the World Cup, was to hold the opening game, semifinals, and final.
World Rugby says it will be replaced by the Tokyo Stadium for the opening ceremony and opening match. The final will take place in the 72,000-seater Yokohama Stadium, which was built for the 2002 football World Cup.