Spain has officially entered the race to be the host country of Rugby World Cup 2035. Confirmation came from España Rugby with a message on Christmas Day. Posted on social media, the message came from Federación Española de Rugby (FER) President Juan Carlos Martín Sánchez.
Australia will host Rugby World Cup 2027. It will be the second Men’s Rugby World Cup featuring Los Leones. Spain are to compete in Pool C of the tournament in 2007 against Argentina, Canada and Fiji.
Spain’s previous Men’s Rugby World Cup appearance was at the 1999 tournament. Los Leones faced Scotland, South Africa and Uruguay in matches that were all played in Scotland.
Details of the Spanish bid for Rugby World Cup 2035 remain unknown. Ten stadiums across eight Spanish cities will host matches during the 2030 FIFA World Cup. A Coruña, Barcelona (2), Bilbao, Las Palmas, Madrid (2), San Sebastián, Seville and Zaragoza.
 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.
Spain (España Rugby) previously 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.
South America: Former Pumas captain, Agustín Pichot recently confirmed that South America is pressing ahead with a bid for Rugby World Cup 2035 or 2039. A South American bid would be centered on Argentina but the negotiations go beyond the regional giants.
