South America Pressing Ahead with bid for Rugby World Cup 2035 or 2039

South America is pressing ahead with a hitting bid for Rugby World Cup 2035 or 2039. The continent has never hosted a Rugby World Cup but has previously considered doing so. South America has a giant of rugby in Argentina, the only Semi Finalist in Rugby World Cup history to never have hosted a Rugby World Cup match.

World Rugby’s process of determining where Rugby World Cup 2035 will be staged is underway. A media release noted a presentation of detailed questionnaires for the third quarter of 2026. It will be followed by site visits and feasibility assessments between late 2026 and early 2027. The preferred host will be identified in May 2027 ahead of the formal designation of the host by the World Rugby Council in November 2027.

World Rugby is open to both single-country and multi-territorial proposals. In other words, Argentina could bid alone or together with neighbors in a South American bid such as the trio of Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile and potentially also either Brazil or Paraguay.

Uruguayan Rugby expert, Ignacio Chans confirmed that there have been informal meetings in recent weeks in South America. An official communication has not yet been made from Sudamérica Rugby to World Rugby and Chans also points out that Agustín Pichot is bringing it to the forefront while the negotiations within the region remain at an early stage.

Agustín Pichot provided insight in an interview with Will Kelleher of The Times. The former captain of Los Pumas and former vice-chairman of World Rugby noted that South America has “good stadiums, good vibes and good countries. Let’s give it a try.”

Pichot also commented that South America deserves to host a Rugby World Cup and that it deserves to do so together. He also pointed out that if it is not in South America then it will be the same again, with the cycle repeating itself with either England or France hosting.

RUGBY WORLD CUP HOSTS 1987-2031

The inaugural Men’s Rugby World Cup was played in 1987. New Zealand and Australia co-hosted the tournament. 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 did for 1991, 1999 and 2015, Scotland for 1991, 1999 and 2007 and Ireland for 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).

DECLARED AND POTENTIAL RUGBY WORLD CUP 2035

Days before the start of RWC 2023 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. England won 2015 hosting rights.

Spain (España Rugby) told World Rugby in December 2023 that they would like to host Rugby World Cup 2035. Spain 2035 would mean handling stadium accessibility differently. World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin confirmed conversations have taken place between Spain rugby and soccer authorities as well as the Spanish government.

Japan is interested in hosting Rugby World Cup 2035. Japan 2019 was more economically successful than England 2015 and all earlier editions of the tournament. That tournament attracted 242,000 international visitors, who stayed an average of 17 days. World Rugby chairman Brett Robinson said “Japan is squarely in the middle of the conversation.”

The Gulf: Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are 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.

In February 2021 England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales were considering a joint bid for Rugby World Cup 2031. In September, England Rugby confirmed its intention to bid to host RWC 2031. England has not declared intent on bidding for Rugby World Cup 2035. The country nonetheless remains an option.

Argentina has hosted big events before including the 1978 FIFA World Cup and nine editions of the Copa America, the most recent being in 2011. Six venues hosted matches in the 2011 Copa America of which all have hosted Los Pumas‘ test matches with strong attendances.

The UAR moves matches around the country by successfully working with regional governments who bid to host Los Pumas’ home matches.

Buenos Aires would be the center-piece of a Rugby World Cup, including hosting a Final. The following sample of venues begin in the national capital. Córdoba is in the center of the country. Mendoza and San Juan in the west. Rosario, Santa Fé and Resistencia in the northeast and Santiago del Estero, Tucumán, Salta and Jujuy in the northwest.

SOUTH AMERICA RWC HOSTING MODEL

A combined South American bid could mean the five Super Rugby Americas countries all host matches. Alternatively, it may mean Uruguay and Chile host some matches with Argentina being the prime host in a manner similar to France 2007 with Uruguay and Chile in similar roles to Scotland and Wales.

The second scenario would potentially mean two or three venues in both Uruguay and Chile joining Argentina. Considerations would center on (a) Montevideo and Punta del Este in Uruguay and (b) Santiago, Viña del Mar and Concepción in Chile.

The Estadio Nacional in Santiago hosted Chile vs Scotland in 2024. It hosted the 2015 Copa America Final. The Ester Roa Rebolledo in Concepción hosted the Bronze Final. Viña del Mar was sold out for a RWC 2027 Qualifier between Chile and Samoa in September.

Montevideo is the regular home of Los Teros in rugby. An exception saw Uruguay facing Argentina in Punta del Este in 2024. Both Montevideo and Punta del Este have many direct flights to Buenos Aires as well as direct ferry services.

The Estadio Charrúa is the Uruguay’s national rugby stadium. Due to the venue having a capacity of 14,000  other Montevideo stadiums would need to be considered. As such, one of the Estadio Centenario (60,235), Estadio Campeón del Siglo (40,165) and Estadio Gran Parque Central (37,000) would potentially be Montevideo’s host venue.