Importance Score: 62 / 100 🔴
Spain Taps Football Stadiums, Including Camp Nou, for 2035 Rugby World Cup Bid
Keywords: Rugby World Cup, 2035, Spain, Camp Nou, Barcelona, rugby stadiums, football stadiums, host bid, World Rugby, La Liga
The prospect of the 2035 Rugby World Cup final being held at the revamped Camp Nou in Barcelona is gaining traction as the Spanish rugby federation engages in discussions with La Liga. The focus is on utilizing prominent football stadiums as integral venues within Spain’s ambitious proposal to host the prestigious international tournament.
Spanish Federation Advances 2035 World Cup Hosting Intentions
Senior figures from the Spanish federation convened with World Rugby officials last week, underscoring their firm intention to bid for the 2035 tournament hosting rights. These initial talks are reported to have generated considerable interest from the sport’s governing body.
Camp Nou and Bernabéu Stadiums: Potential Flagship Venues
Camp Nou is currently undergoing a substantial £1.3 billion renovation project and is slated to reopen in June 2026 with an impressive 105,000-spectator capacity. Real Madrid’s Bernabéu stadium has also recently benefited from a significant upgrade. The potential utilization of both these world-class venues for Spain’s inaugural Rugby World Cup bid presents a compelling proposition. Furthermore, Bilbao’s San Mamés stadium, which successfully hosted the Champions Cup final in 2018 and is set to do so again next year, adds further strength to Spain’s stadium portfolio.
Competition and European Focus for 2035 Tournament
Italy is anticipated to be Spain’s primary competitor in the race to host the 2035 tournament. Following Australia’s hosting of the 2027 World Cup and the United States staging the 2031 edition, there is a prevailing expectation that 2035 will see the tournament return to European soil. While Japan is currently considered a leading contender for the likely Asian-hosted 2039 World Cup, interest from the Middle East is also emerging, attracted by the considerable financial benefits, despite existing logistical challenges.
Spain’s Rugby Growth and World Cup Aspirations
Spain last participated in the Rugby World Cup in 1999. Although they initially qualified for the 2023 tournament, they were subsequently excluded for violating eligibility regulations during the qualification process. However, they have already secured qualification for the 2027 competition. In parallel, the Spanish women’s national team has qualified for this year’s World Cup in England, and the nation has demonstrated significant progress in the sevens rugby circuit. A definitive decision regarding the 2035 hosting rights is expected before the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
World Rugby Chair Highlights Spain’s Strengths as Host
World Rugby chair, Brett Robinson, commented on Spain’s appeal, stating: “Spain is compelling because it represents an expansion of the European market, encompassing 50 million people, high-quality stadiums, passionate fans, and a vibrant culture.” He further noted, “Their recent investment and emphasis on high-performance rugby have been rapid, evident in the competitiveness of their two teams in the Hong Kong sevens tournament. The men’s team has qualified for the 2027 World Cup, and the women for this year’s World Cup. Could a European-based competition be developed in conjunction with Italy and the UK?”
Addressing Logistical Considerations with Football Authorities
Part of Spain’s bid attractiveness stems from World Rugby’s prior experience in managing logistical complexities, such as fixture clashes with domestic football leagues and the Champions League schedule. These issues were addressed as recently as the 2023 World Cup hosted by France. World Rugby’s chief executive, Alan Gilpin, explained: “The Spanish federation and government have engaged in discussions with La Liga.”
Gilpin elaborated, “When we have previously held tournaments in England or France in 2023, discussions have taken place regarding stadium availability, requiring teams like Tottenham to play consecutive away matches. Similar conversations are underway in Spain, involving La Liga, to gauge their support, which appears to be forthcoming.”
Strategic Shift towards Regional Hosting Rotation
Gilpin further outlined a strategic shift in World Rugby’s approach: “We made significant strategic decisions some years ago to award both the men’s and women’s World Cups to Australia and the US. We now need to consider the balance and the potential of bringing the 2035 and 2037 tournaments back to Europe. This suggests a move towards a regional rotation strategy.”
He concluded, “We have never had this strategic conversation within World Rugby before, but it is likely the direction discussions will take. Perhaps the Middle East requires more time until 2039, potentially competing with Japan for an Asian-hosted tournament in 2039.”
2031 World Cup in US to Maintain September Schedule
In related news, the 2031 World Cup in the United States is confirmed to retain its traditional September slot in the calendar. This decision comes despite earlier suggestions of a possible move to the summer to avoid schedule conflicts with the NFL season.
“We are currently in talks with the NFL’s scheduling department concerning 2031, as our tournament will coincide with the college football season and the commencement of the NFL season,” Gilpin added. “The challenge with a summer tournament, regarding stadium exclusivity, is the peak concert season.”