Saudi Arabia eyes hosting 2035 Rugby World Cup

by Frank Nickson Monday 21 April 2025

South Africa were the winners of the 2019 and 2023 World Cups

©Photo by Julian Finney - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia have confirmed its interest in hosting the 2035 Rugby World Cup, with the possibility of a joint bid involving other Gulf nations such as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

The country’s Sports Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, stated, “We’re interested in rugby; we’re interested in developing the sport locally. So, we created the federation and so on to see what we can do to develop the sport.

"And hopefully we get the opportunity to host something in the future. But 2035 is a long way. Hopefully we can achieve that.”

While acknowledging that the kingdom is still in the early stages of rugby development, officials believe that the next decade offers a significant window to build infrastructure and grow local participation.

The idea of a multi-country Gulf bid is also gaining momentum, and Asia Rugby President Qais Al Dhalai has voiced strong support for such a model. Speaking about regional readiness, he said, “This region is ready to host major events, and rugby is no exception. We have the stadiums, we have the passion, and we have the ambition to do it at the highest level.”

The proposed bid comes with challenges, including the fact that none of the potential host nations have a strong tradition in international rugby. There are also logistical considerations such as weather, which may necessitate holding the tournament outside the traditional window to avoid extreme summer heat.

Concerns around sportswashing and human rights records may also come into focus if a formal bid is launched, but proponents argue that such a move could boost rugby’s visibility in new territories and foster genuine development of the sport in the Middle East.

With bidding for the 2035 Rugby World Cup yet to formally open, the interest from Saudi Arabia and its regional allies represents a bold and potentially transformative vision. If realized, it would mark the first time the tournament is hosted in the Gulf, potentially opening up a new chapter in rugby's global story.