The Spanish Rugby Federation (RFER) has unveiled details of its bid to host the 2035 Rugby World Cup. The bid arrives as the sport experiences significant growth in Spain, and as the nation secures its place at next year’s World Cup in Australia for the first time since 1999.
A statement published on Wednesday, alongside the submission of its detailed ‘applicant questionnaire’, said the bid is supported by LaLiga. It would make use of the “venues, transport infrastructure, security and volunteer management” established by the FIFA World Cup, which Spain will host alongside Portugal and Morocco in 2030.
Stadiums on the longlist
The Spotify Camp Nou, Santiago Bernabéu, Riyadh Air Metropolitano and San Mamés are all included on the longlist for the tournament’s venues. They are home to LaLiga’s Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid and Athletic Club, respectively.
Competition from other bidders
The other confirmed bidders are more established in the rugby world. Japan and Argentina have already stated their intentions to host the tournament, with Argentina doing so alongside other South American nations.
Should Spain win the bid, it would mark the first edition of the Rugby World Cup held in Europe since France hosted the 2023 tournament, which South Africa won.
RFER’s vision
In a statement, RFER Executive President Juan Carlos Martín ‘Hansen’ said: “World Rugby has established this tournament as the pinnacle of our sport, and it is a great honour for Spain to bid to host it. Over the past two decades, our commitment to rugby has led to extraordinary progress, and the next nine years could mark a step change for the sport across Spain.”
He added: “The warmth, openness and desire to share moments with others that characterise our country fit perfectly with the spirit that a Rugby World Cup creates.”
He concluded: “Rugby is becoming part of our country’s identity. Working together with World Rugby, we can make Rugby World Cup 2035 a turning point in the global growth of the sport, for the benefit of generations to come.”
What happens next
World Rugby is expected to identify a preferred host in May 2027, before formally appointing the host nation the following November.