Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
At gala event at the Comité Olímpico Español, Spanish Rugby officials together with sponsors and representatives officially presented the Real Federación Española de Rugby bid to host Rugby World Cup 2035. During the gala event, Spanish rugby underlined the structural evolution of rugby in Spain and of Spain in international competition.
At the event, Spain’s bid unveiled that it is using the slogan “Spain Connects Rugby.” The bid is Spain’s first ever attempt at hosting a Men’s Rugby World Cup. It comes a year out from Spain returning to the Rugby World Cup for the first time since debuting at Rugby World Cup 1999.
 SPANISH CANDIDACY |
Spain’s candidacy positions the country as headquarters of one of the largest sporting events on the international calendar. It notes Spain’s capabilities to host the event of Rugby World Cup 2035 with benefits for cities, the economy and sporting legacy.
The event saw José María Epalza honored as one of the most important people in Spanish Rugby history. The authorities noted his contributions both on and off the rugby field with Corazón de León (Heart of the Lion). His long career for Los Leones began in 1969 and he was captain from 1975. He went on to be a coach and union director in addition to working for Rugby Europe.
 RUGBY WORLD CUP HOSTS 1987-2031 |
New Zealand and Australia co-hosted the inaugural Men’s Rugby World Cup in 1987. New Zealand hosted alone in 2011 while Australia did so in 2003 and will do so again in 2027.
South Africa hosted in 1995 and had failed bids for Rugby World Cups 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023. France secured the votes for RWC 2023 despite World Rugby publicly preferring South Africa. Argentina had been interested in bidding but pulled-out instead of putting money into ta bid against France.
France hosted alone in 2023, hosted most of the 2007 tournament and also hosted matches in both 1999 and 1991. Moreover, France 2023 was the fifth Rugby World Cup played in Europe but the first without matches in the UK. Wales hosted matches during Rugby World Cups 1991, 1999, 2007 and 2015. England hosted RWC matches in 1991, 1999 and 2015, Scotland in 1991, 1999 and 2007 and Ireland in 1991 and 1999.
Rugby World Cup 2027 will be the eleventh edition of the Men’s Rugby World Cup. It is not going to be in a new host country with Japan 2019 and USA 2031 being exceptions as World Rugby has not staged the tournament far and wide.
In terms of past RWC tournament finals they have been in New Zealand (1987 and 2011), England (1991 and 2015), South Africa (1995), Wales (1999), Australia (2003), France (2007 and 2023) and Japan (2019).
| OTHER BIDDERS FOR RUGBY WORLD CUP 2035 |
Italy (Federazione Italiana Rugby) director Marzio Innocenti confirmed that Italy would like to host Rugby World Cup 2035 or 2039. Italy is the only member of the Six Nations that has never hosted Rugby World Cup matches. Italy bid for RWCs 2015 and 2019 but was unsuccessful.
Argentina is the center of a bid for South America to host. Agustín Pichot noted that the region has “good stadiums, good vibes and good countries.” The UAR recently hosted World Rugby CEO, Alan Gilpin to present details of the bid.
Japan officially declared that they want to host the Rugby World Cup again and do so in 2035. The JRFU confirmed the bid in January, 2026. The Japanese bid comes less than seven years after hosting the World Cup in 2019. Rugby World Cup 2019 proved to be highly successful and 2035 will be 16 years after, an identical number to that of France hosting in 2007 and 2023.
The Gulf: Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were considering a joint bid to host the 2035 Rugby World Cup. Asia Rugby President Qais Al-Dhalai said it could happen in 2035. He declared that it would be the most successful event in the history of rugby. However, the Gulf’s bid has been shelved.
