Why South Africa won't host the 2035 Rugby World Cup
SA Rugby didn't bid for the 2035 Rugby World Cup, citing the cost of upgrading stadiums. Spain, Japan and a South American bid are in the race, with a host to be named in 2027.
South Africa will not host the 2035 men's Rugby World Cup. SA Rugby did not submit a bid before World Rugby's deadline, which leaves Spain, Japan and a joint South American bid in the race (Ruck). England also stayed out (Ruck).
The reason is money. "We have decided we won't be bidding because of the cost of upgrading our stadiums," SA Rugby president Mark Alexander said (Planet Rugby).
Why didn't South Africa bid?
Besides the stadium costs, SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer said in March that World Rugby takes the tournament where it can make the most money, and that he could not see South Africa generating the same income as Europe or the Middle East (Planet Rugby, Reuters).
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie had pushed for a bid and said he would work to bring sponsors on board (Ruck). But SA Rugby never formally entered the process (Ruck).
Who is bidding for 2035 instead?
| Bidder | What they're offering |
|---|---|
| Spain | First men's World Cup in Spain, with the Camp Nou, Bernabéu and Mestalla on the list of possible venues |
| Japan | A second tournament after hosting in 2019 |
| South America | A joint bid by Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay, the first World Cup on the continent |
Sources: BBC Sport, Ruck. The Telegraph reported in October that Spain had emerged as the front-runner (The Telegraph).
When will the 2035 host be chosen?
| Date | Step |
|---|---|
| Late 2026 to early 2027 | Site visits and feasibility checks |
| May 2027 | World Rugby names its preferred host |
| November 2027 | World Rugby Council formally appoints the host |
Source: World Rugby.
When did South Africa last host, and where are the next World Cups?
South Africa last hosted in 1995 (Ruck). Since then it has bid and lost for the 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023 tournaments, and did not bid for 2027 or 2031 (Planet Rugby).
Australia hosts the next men's tournament in 2027, and the United States hosts in 2031 (BBC Sport). Ruck suggests 2039 could be South Africa's next opportunity, but nothing has been announced (Ruck).
FAQ
Is South Africa hosting the 2035 Rugby World Cup?
No. SA Rugby did not submit a bid before World Rugby's deadline.
Who is bidding to host the 2035 Rugby World Cup?
Spain, Japan and a joint South American bid by Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay.
When will the 2035 host be announced?
World Rugby plans to name its preferred host in May 2027, with formal appointment by the World Rugby Council in November 2027.
When did South Africa last host the Rugby World Cup?
In 1995.