World Rugby has unveiled the 27 prospective host cities and areas that have applied to stage games at the men’s 2031 Rugby World Cup (RWC) in the United States.
Sportcal said those cities and areas have now formally entered the applicant phase of the host selection process by submitting letters of intent for the first RWC to be held in the Americas.
The cities and areas are: Arizona, Atlanta, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles Region, Miami, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, New York/New Jersey, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, St. Louis, Vancouver, and Washington DC.
Dublin (Ireland)-based World Rugby is the governing body for the sport of rugby union. World Rugby organizes the Rugby World Cup every four years, the sport’s most recognized and most profitable competition.
Over the next 14 months, World Rugby and USA Rugby will assess, evaluate, and collaborate with all applicants and venues through a detailed engagement process. This includes:
- Team base feasibility visits, which are already underway
- In-depth venue evaluations, beginning in November 2025
- Sharing of detailed hosting requirements, opportunities, and legacy potential
At the end of 2026, a reduced number of cities and venues will move into the Candidate Phase, marking the start of formal contracting.
It is World Rugby’s intention to announce the final selection of host cities and venues following the completion of Rugby World Cup 2027, an important milestone in observing best practice, with the tournament draw and match allocation scheduled for late 2029 or early 2030.
Alan Gilpin, chief executive at World Rugby, said: “The enthusiastic response from across the US has been extraordinary. These cities and areas represent not only iconic sports destinations but also new, emerging, and existing rugby communities.
“Their commitment underscores the opportunity [the] men’s Rugby World Cup 2031 presents to cement the United States’ status as a major player in global rugby, but also to inspire and unite new fans, audiences, and commercial partners for the sport more broadly to deliver lasting impact.”
In terms of rugby union’s presence in the US, the Major League Rugby tournament (which launched in 2018 but has faced severe financial issues in recent years) currently has seven franchises operating (with several having left the league in recent years), located in Boston, Washington DC, Charlotte, Chicago, Utah, Seattle, and Southern California.
Following the Men’s RWC, the US will host the 16-team Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2033. It was awarded hosting rights to both events in May 2022.
Late September saw World Rugby officially launch the process through which nations can bid to host the men’s RWC in 2035.
At its general assembly in London, World Rugby said expressions of interest will be opened for applicants from next month, with preferred hosts chosen in May 2027.
The final decision by the World Rugby Council will be announced in November 2027.
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