Spain bids to host 2035 Rugby World Cup

The Spanish Rugby Federation (RFER) has unveiled its bid to host the 2035 Rugby World Cup, proposing the use of major football stadiums including Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu, Barcelona’s Spotify Camp Nou, and Atlético Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium.

The bid aims to leverage the transport, security, and infrastructure developed for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Spain will co-host with Portugal and Morocco. RFER Executive President Juan Carlos Martín Hansen stated that the tournament could represent a “turning point in the global growth of the sport” for the country.

Spain faces competition from Japan and a South American bid led by Argentina. If successful, Spain would be the first European host since France held the tournament in 2023. World Rugby is expected to announce the successful candidate in November 2027.