Hosts for the next six Rugby World Cups, first in South America

Rugby News

by Rugby Rucker

Friday, 21 November 2025 at 20:20

byRugby Rucker

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Rugby fans are already thinking about the next era of World Cups, with a few hosts already on the horizon.

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England won the latest Women's World Cup in England yesterday, adding to the excitement around the sport’s future.

But attention is starting to shift further ahead, where a new group of nations — and even entire regions — are quietly positioning themselves for a future shot at glory.

Australia 2027: The Golden Decade Begins

Australia will host the 2027 Rugby World Cup, kicking off a “golden decade” of major sporting events Down Under.

Expanded format: The tournament grows from 20 to 24 teams, split into six pools, with a new round of 16 knockout stage.

Host cities: Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney and Townsville.

Final destination: Sydney’s Accor Stadium, capacity 82,000, will stage both semi-finals and the final.

Economic boost: Organisers expect 250,000 international visitors and over AUD 1.3 billion in direct visitor spend.

The challenge? Balancing logistics across such a vast country while ensuring the expanded tournament delivers quality alongside quantity.

USA 2031: Rugby Goes Stateside

For the first time, the Rugby World Cup heads to America in 2031.

Biggest market yet: The U.S. brings colossal stadiums, broadcast potential and commercial opportunities.

Format: Same as 2027 — 24 teams and 16-team knockout.

Opportunities: Growing grassroots rugby, Major League Rugby clubs, and the global exposure of playing in NFL-sized venues.

Challenges: Competing with the NFL, college football, and MLB for stadium dates. Also, ensuring a rugby atmosphere in cavernous arenas not built with the sport in mind.

It’s a gamble — but one World Rugby hopes will pay off by finally cracking America.

The Race for 2035: Who’s Next?

After Australia and the USA, attention turns to 2035. With Europe likely in line for rotation, several heavyweights and ambitious newcomers are circling.

World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson said: “Rugby World Cups are the sport’s greatest platform and the men’s edition fuels the growth and sustainability of the sport.

“The process we are launching for 2035 sits at the very heart of our renewed strategy to grow the reach, strength and impact of the global game for our members.

“Following historic tournaments in the USA, we see 2035 as another major opportunity to unlock new audiences and additional value while ensuring Rugby World Cup continues to inspire and unite the world through rugby.”

Spain

Spain has invested heavily in world-class venues such as the Bernabéu and Camp Nou, backed by excellent transport links and huge tourism appeal. However, rugby remains a developing sport locally, and major stadium scheduling around football could complicate hosting.

England

England offers unmatched reliability with proven hosting history, elite stadiums, and guaranteed sell-outs from a massive rugby fanbase. Yet World Rugby may prefer novelty over returning to a traditional powerhouse so soon after recent northern-hemisphere tournaments.

Italy

Italy provides a strong rugby culture in the north, a solid stadium network, and experience hosting major international sporting events. Its bid is held back by the need for infrastructure upgrades and a lower commercial draw compared to Spain or England.

Gulf States (Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia)

The Gulf States bring enormous financial backing, ultra-modern venues, and a clear appetite for hosting global mega-events. Climate conditions, limited rugby tradition, and political concerns remain significant barriers.

South Africa

South Africa is a rugby-mad nation with proven major-event stadiums and some of the sport’s most passionate supporters. Economic instability and World Rugby’s desire to spread the tournament to new regions may weaken their chances.

Japan

Japan’s 2019 tournament was a global success, supported by excellent infrastructure, efficient transport, and strong fan engagement. Hosting again so soon may be seen as repetitive, and several stadiums are smaller than top European venues.

South America

The most recent addition to the hosting race. South America has rising momentum, with Argentina — a Rugby World Cup Semi-Finalist that has never hosted — anchoring a potential single- or multi-nation bid. Infrastructure improvements, regional economic volatility, and uneven rugby development outside Argentina remain challenges.

World Rugby has opened the door to single-country or multi-territory bids, meaning Argentina could team up with Uruguay, Chile, Brazil, or Paraguay for a continental showcase. Momentum is building: informal meetings have already taken place within the region, with influential figures such as Agustín Pichot championing the idea and arguing that South America has “good stadiums, good vibes and good countries.”

Hosting would significantly expand rugby’s global footprint and break the traditional Europe-centric cycle.

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RUCK’s 2035 Power Rankings

So, who’s favourite to land the Rugby World Cup in 2035? Here’s how we see it right now:

Spain – Significant momentum, world-class stadiums, and a fresh European flavour give Spain the inside track.
South America – A historic first-time host with Argentina leading the charge, strong political will, and growing regional collaboration.
England – Safe hands with guaranteed revenue and elite infrastructure, but lacking novelty.
Gulf States – Immense financial power and modern venues, though climate, tradition, and political concerns remain major hurdles.
Italy – A solid Six Nations nation with experience hosting major events, but overshadowed by Spain’s rising profile.
South Africa – A rugby heartland with iconic venues, yet economic and political instability weaken its bid.
Japan – A proven, highly successful host, but unlikely to be selected again so soon after 2019.