27 US Cities Bid to Host 2031 RWC

World Rugby confirmed 27 U.S. cities/areas with 33 potential venues have entered the applicant phase to host matches at the 2031 Men’s Rugby World Cup, an announcement made at the United by Rugby Summit in Chicago. The longlist includes major metropolitan areas such as Atlanta, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Vancouver and Washington, D.C., with several cities and regions submitting formal bids. World Rugby plans to narrow the field to 13–15 host cities by late 2027 and will evaluate venues, feasibility and hosting requirements over the coming months, giving selected cities roughly four years to prepare. CEO Alan Gilpin said the 2031 tournament — alongside the U.S.-hosted 2033 women’s World Cup — is central to a U.S. Growth Plan that could include staging more one-off international fixtures such as Six Nations or The Rugby Championship to build interest. World Rugby has signaled major investment in American rugby, reported at over $250 million, to boost infrastructure, development pathways and the women’s game while testing demand through recent international matches.