Rugby World Cup: USA set to host 2031, Australia leads 2027 race

By Chris JonesBBC rugby union correspondent

Last updated on 8 November 2019.From the section Rugby Union211

Australia players dejected after defeat by England — Australia, who lost in the last eight of the World Cup to England in Japan last month, will also host the British and Irish Lions in 2025

A ground-breaking first Rugby World Cup in the Americas is now unlikely to take place until 2031, with Australia emerging as a prime contender to host in 2027.

France will stage the tournament in four years' time.

A southern hemisphere country is then expected to host, with a breakthrough event in the USA now lined up for the following tournament.

The formal bidding process for 2027 and 2031 starts next November.

'Australia an important rugby nation'

Australia have already announced their bid to stage the event in eight years' time, with administrators down under seeing it as an opportunity to revive a flagging rugby nation, especially given their strong track record of hosting major tournaments.

And despite their recent difficulties on and off the field, Australia remains a crucial part of the global landscape, says Bill Sweeney, chief executive of England's Rugby Football Union.

Martin Johnson — The last Rugby World Cup to be staged in Australia was the 2003 event, won by England

"You would think 2027 would need to go somewhere southern hemisphere," Sweeney told the BBC.

"Australia is a really important rugby nation, who have had some financial challenges.

"Anything that World Rugby can do to support the game in Australia would be supported by all of us, I think."

A southern hemisphere World Cup also brings South Africa strongly into the equation after they narrowly missed out to France to host in 2023.

The South African Rugby Union - buoyed by the Springboks' status as world champions - is considering another bid, but has yet to confirm.

USA in 2031?

Meanwhile World Rugby is desperate for the sport to catch fire in the USA, and a bid for the 2031 showpiece would allow more time for rugby union to develop in the States, with Sweeney adding that there was "a massive opportunity for the game to kick off" there.

Hosting in 2031 rather than 2027 would also avoid the rugby showpiece being sandwiched between the Football World Cup in 2026 - which is hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico - and the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

The governing body is also open to a joint bid from the USA and Canada, while a South American Rugby World Cup - revolving around Argentina and Uruguay - is another intriguing option.

Russia, another emerging rugby nation, have also confirmed an interest in staging the tournament for the first time.

With the bidding process starting in November 2020, the host nations for 2027 and 2031 World Cups will be announced together at some point in 2021.

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211 comments

It's time to take it to South America. Give it to Argentina and Uruguay - the two countries are next to each other. Giving a boost to them would be more beneficial than giving it to the US.
A RWC in the US would suit Scotland very well (assuming that they qualify), as threatening legal action is normal practice there!
Seems odd that USA may get a World Cup just to try to make the game bigger there.

I get that it's a big market, but why reward a country with the prestige of a WC when they've shown no real interest in it for years.
The US during hurricane season, interesting!
Rugby has to get better at globalising. 7s has done well but the 15 man game still revolves around the same few countries. Only 5 teams have ever made the world cup final in 32 years.

I would give it to Argentina - they've done so well to get that good (world cup semis twice), with very little help from world rugby until they were finally taken into the Rugby Championhip. They deserve it.
Given that Australia had the World Cup in 2003 and France had it in 2007, why aren't South Africa being given the chance to host it again? Also, why not have it shared between Scotland & Ireland? The game isn't big enough in the USA for a World Cup to be held there - certainly not before countries with a genuine rugby pedigree are given the opportunity.
In terms of who's turn it is the 2027 WC should probably go to SA, but the need to give a boost to rugby support in Australia probably means it should go there after France.

In terms of one in the USA, I'd be sceptical. Its not like Japan where the support had been building and led to a great atmosphere, the US will never fully break from their own sports. It could work, but I doubt it.
I would rather Argentina & Uraguay stage a World Cup, rather than the USA. Argentina are the only first tier nation not to hold one, so why not? Both Argentina and Uraguay have held football World cups although in the latter case not recently.
Not without a billion adverts in the middle
Agree @13

If the primary aim is to grow the sport World Rugby should continue to be bold after Japan - go to S. America in 2027 and N. America in 2031. Infrastructure shouldn’t be a problem and rugby foundations are in place.

Tough on established rugby strongholds but Aus/SA/NZ already benefit from tier 1 tours to their countries, plus the Lions.
There’s enough money in rugby already. Threatens to ruin the game. Moreover, the US won’t warm to rugby much. Better would be Argentina-Uruguay, Pacific Islands, Italy, Georgia-Russia, Canada. In fact almost anywhere, except the US. Also in UK, Fra, SA, NZ, Aus, we have quality rugby to watch. RWC should be mainly in different areas - but should steer clear of the US and the mega-buck.
"Americas"? Argentina/Uruguay very much "yes", USA "no".
Why not Argentina?
they are in the SH they are a country where hosting would massively grow the game, they have never hosted before and they have sufficient infrastructure
Going to the USA would simply be about cash. Even then, small crowds and poor coverage.

Going to Canada or Argentina would be to recognise countries which have been involved for longer.

Going to the Pacific Islands (Fiji / Tonga / Samoa etc) could be REALLY exciting.
It should go to South America over North America. The tournament needs to be taken out of the 'norm' in terms of hosting big events, proven in Japan. USA have had plenty of major sporting events already so South America should get the opportunity
The Rugby people need to understand that Fall in the USA is dominated by 'Football'. End of story. Madness to even think of putting on a tournament there between Labor Day and Superbowl. Broadcasters won't give you the time of day.
As for Advertisers... If it went there they'd demand each half broken in two just like they want to do to Soccer. Give it to Argentina/Uraguay.
Why give it to Australia? South America have never hosted it. Come on WR you kee banging on about expanding the sport, give it to the one tier one nation who’s never hosted the event.
Perhaps it could be played in Alaska during December and January!
Let's be honest here. Rugby is a business and all future World Cups will go to countries which will generate the most cash. All this talk of World Rugby trying to promote the game in USA is simply because they can already see the dollar signs. Money does not talk........................it roars and shouts!
Why countries get to host it 2 is beyond me. Happy for countries who have never held it are given a chance. Ireland or Italy should of been next then South America. France bought the next one, was hoping rugby would not go down the same road as football