The race to host the 2035 and 2039 Rugby World Cups is already underway, and several nations have expressed their interest in hosting the sport’s most prestigious event. Spain and Italy appear as enthusiastic candidates, while in the Middle East, intentions remain reserved. The option of returning to Japan, which successfully hosted the 2019 tournament, has also drawn attention as a safe bet for 2039. However, a key player like South Africa has decided not to compete, after four failed attempts and growing concern over the economic costs involved in organizing an event of this magnitude.
Mark Alexander, president of SA Rugby, was blunt in dismissing a new bid, arguing that the country cannot afford such a financial commitment. His words reflect a broader issue: even sporting powerhouses face economic and logistical barriers to hosting the tournament. In fact, South Africa was recommended as the host for 2023 by a technical review from World Rugby, but the council vote favored France, partly due to its promise to avoid the “death of rugby” through its financial capacity. That episode still resonates, as does the disappointment expressed by figures like Damian de Allende, who described the decision as “heartbreaking.”
Costs, pressure and promises
Organizing a Rugby World Cup has become a dilemma for several federations, even among the most successful. New Zealand, winner of three titles, is struggling to present a realistic bid, partly due to the expansion of the tournament to 24 teams and the lack of adequate infrastructure. Ireland, for its part, failed to finalize a joint proposal for 2031 and is still dragging the disappointment of 2023, when it did not receive the support of Scotland. In this context, Australia and the United States are set to host in 2027 and 2031, respectively, with an eye on expanding rugby commercially in emerging markets such as North America.
However, this approach is also generating tensions among traditional unions. Both Ireland and England have reported significant financial losses associated with participating in World Cups, while also denouncing an unequal distribution of the revenues generated. While World Rugby celebrates record profits —500 million euros in 2023—, federations such as the IRFU and the RFU warn about the negative financial impact the tournament has on their operations. The situation has led to questioning whether the current model of organization and funding is sustainable, and whether it is fair that powerhouses subsidize the global development of rugby without proportional returns. As the decisions for 2035 and 2039 approach, the pressure to find hosts that guarantee profitability —like the United States and Japan— seems to outweigh purely sporting criteria.
