Spain launches bid to host 2035 Rugby World Cup
Spain launches its bid for the 2035 Rugby World Cup with Camp Nou, the Bernabéu and other major football stadiums proposed as venues.
©Photo by Pauline Ballet - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
Spain has formally launched its bid to host the 2035 Men’s Rugby World Cup, with some of the country’s most prominent football stadiums proposed as venues.
Camp Nou and Bernabéu feature in Spain bid
The Spanish Rugby Federation has submitted its detailed bid documentation to World Rugby under the banner “Bridge the World”.
The proposal includes Barcelona’s Spotify Camp Nou, Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu, Atlético Madrid’s stadium and Athletic Club’s home ground among its proposed venues.
Spain intends to make use of infrastructure developed around the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Portugal and Morocco.
RFER executive president Juan Carlos Martín said hosting the Rugby World Cup would represent a major opportunity to accelerate the development of the sport across Spain.
“World Rugby has established this tournament as the pinnacle of our sport, and it is a great honour for Spain to bid to host it.
"Over the past two decades, our commitment to rugby has led to extraordinary progress, and the next nine years could mark a step change for the sport across Spain.
“The bid includes the use of the Spotify Camp Nou and the Santiago Bernabéu, as well as the stadiums of Atlético Madrid and Athletic club.”
Spain joins competitive 2035 host race
Spain faces competition from Japan and a joint South American bid led by Argentina alongside Uruguay, Chile and Brazil.
The South American proposal would bring the Men’s Rugby World Cup to the continent for the first time if successful.
Spain, meanwhile, has qualified for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Its only previous appearance at the tournament came in 1999.
Europe could host again after 12-year gap
If Spain secures the 2035 tournament, the Men’s Rugby World Cup would return to Europe for the first time since France hosted the 2023 edition.
Australia will stage the tournament in 2027 before the United States hosts in 2031.
World Rugby will conduct site visits and feasibility assessments before identifying a preferred host in May 2027. The final appointment will be made by the World Rugby Council in November 2027.
