South American Nations Launch Joint Bid to Host 2035 Rugby World Cup

Four South American nations have launched a joint bid to bring the Rugby World Cup to the continent for the first time. Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Brazil submitted their proposal to host the 2035 tournament on Monday, the Argentine Rugby Union announced.

The bid outlines 11 stadiums across 10 cities — eight in Argentina and one each in Uruguay, Chile and Brazil — including Rio de Janeiro's iconic Maracana. "We have the opportunity to show the world our passion for this sport, our ability to host major events, and everything our countries have to offer," UAR president Felix Paez Molina said. "Our region deserves an opportunity of this size."

The project is being built with the region's unions and Sudamerica Rugby. Spain and Japan have also expressed interest in 2035, and World Rugby will conduct site visits and feasibility assessments before naming a preferred host by next May, with a final decision expected in November 2027. The next World Cup goes to Australia in 2027, while the United States will stage the tournament's first Americas edition in 2031.