2035 World Cup Host Race Is On -- England and South Africa Go Head-to-Head - Ruck

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World Rugby has officially fired the starting gun on the race to host the Men's Rugby World Cup 2035, unveiling the selection process today at the 17th World Rugby General Assembly in London.

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The road to 2035 kicks off in October 2025, when nations will be invited to express their interest, before culminating in the final announcement in November 2027.

Confirming a host eight years out is now standard World Rugby practice, designed to maximise value, boost global reach, and keep the Rugby World Cup as one of the planet's premier sporting spectacles.

The Rugby World Cup isn't just a tournament - it's the sport's financial powerhouse.

RWC 2023 in France smashed records with 2.3 million fans attending, 1.33 billion viewing hours worldwide, and a record £472m surplus pumped back into the game. It also delivered a staggering €1.8bn in spending and an €871m net economic gain for France, alongside major community and fan-driven initiatives.

World Rugby says this new model - working closely with governments, unions and venues well in advance - ensures commercial strength, event consistency and long-term growth.

World Rugby has set four guiding principles: commercial optimisation, operational control, contractual certainty, and transparency. In other words - big money, secure deals, and a fair fight.

Spain is emerging as a dark horse in the race to host Rugby World Cup 2035. With its status as a global tourism hotspot, the country can offer visitors a combination of world-class cities, iconic cultural landmarks and easy travel. Crucially, it boasts renovated mega-stadiums like the Camp Nou in Barcelona (105,000 capacity) and the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid, as well as excellent transport links across the country.

The main challenge lies in rugby's relatively modest domestic presence compared to football. Scheduling matches around La Liga fixtures could also prove tricky. Still, Spain's blend of glamour and infrastructure makes it a genuine contender.

England is the tried-and-tested option. Having hosted in 1991 and 2015, it already has the blueprint for a successful tournament. Twickenham Stadium, alongside a network of Premier League grounds, means facilities are top class. The country's huge rugby fanbase almost guarantees sell-outs, ensuring World Rugby a financial win.

But therein lies the drawback - it may simply be too safe. With calls to diversify hosting and explore new frontiers, a third Rugby World Cup in England within 45 years could feel repetitive to some stakeholders.