WR, the international governing body for rugby union, and USA Rugby, the sport's national governing body, welcomed representatives from cities and states wanting to learn more about becoming official host cities for both the Men's Rugby World Cup 2031 and the Women's Rugby World Cup 2033.

The Men's Rugby World Cup is the most watched international rugby sevens tournament, a format that became an Olympic sport in 2016 and will be played now in Paris and in LA in 2028. Over 70 representatives from more than 30 interested cities and states attended the Rugby World Cup Host City Summit in Washington DC to learn about the bid requirements and hear from sports stars about the potential and global impact of the tournament. 

Cities and states that expressed interest in hosting: Atlanta (Georgia), Austin, Dallas and Houston (Texas), Baltimore (Maryland), Birmingham (Alabama), Boston, (Massachusetts), Charlotte (North Carolina), Chicago (Illinois), Denver (Colorado), Kansas City (Missouri), Las Vegas (Nevada), Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco (California), Miami (Florida), Minneapolis (Minnesota), Nashville (Tennessee), New Orleans (Louisiana), New York (New York), Orlando (Florida), Philadelphia and Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania), Phoenix (Arizona), Salt Lake City (Utah), Seattle (Washington) and Washington D.C. 

During the one-day summit, WR outlined the opportunity and scale of the two Rugby World Cup tournaments, discussed trends in the game globally and in the US, and outlined the next steps in the city's bid process. The US Department of State was also present to discuss host country logistics in the areas of visas, security and transportation. 

Abby Gustaitis, USA Rugby Sevens Olympian, Angela Ruggiero, US Ice Hockey Olympian and World Rugby Executive Board member, Nate Ebner, three-time NFL Superbowl winner and USA Rugby Sevens Olympian, and Blaine Scully, former US Men's 15s captain, took part in a panel discussion on game trends and shared their own experiences. James Rothwell, World Rugby Chief Marketing and Content Officer, and Dan Migala, Legends Co-President and Chief Revenue Officer, presented on the evolution of the sport in the USA and its future commercialisation. 

WR Chief Executive Alan Gilpin said: "We were delighted to welcome more than 30 fantastic US cities and states interested in helping us make history with Rugby World Cups in 2031 and 2033. With an estimated 55 million US fans, 800,000 players and over 3,100 registered clubs, rugby in the US is already very much alive and kicking." 

The recently appointed CEO of USA Rugby, Bill Goren, said, "The USA has the third highest number of rugby participants of any country in the world. Bringing the world's third largest sporting tournament - the Rugby World Cup - to the world's most passionate sporting market is an opportunity that must be seized with both hands to grow this fantastic game in the USA." 

"Using this as a catalyst to drive sustainable, generational investment and growth for the game, rooted in grassroots participation in women's and men's rugby, starting with colleges and the NCAA, will be our focus over the next decade and we're confident that both tournaments will be the best Rugby World Cups ever. Rugby fans will fall in love with the USA and the USA will fall in love with rugby," he added. 

Congressional Rugby Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Alex X. Mooney (R-WV), said: "As a former rugby player and founding member of the Congressional Rugby Caucus, it's exciting to welcome World Rugby, Rugby USA and all the potential host cities. The 2031 Men's Rugby World Cup and the 2033 Women's Rugby World Cup will be great sporting moments for our country and will help grow a sport that I and so many other Americans love." 

The USA won the rights to host the 2031 and 2033 tournaments in May 2022 when WR announced an 11-year plan. England will host the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup with the final match at the iconic Twickenham Stadium and Australia will host the 2027 Men's Rugby World Cup and the 2029 Women's Rugby World Cup. WR aims to make the Women's Rugby World Cup USA 2033 the first financially sustainable tournament in its history.

The USA has a long history of hosting big matches. In 2016, 61,500 fans watched Ireland play New Zealand in Chicago. The WR Pacific Nations Cup 2025 will be a milestone on the way to 2031 and 2033, as WR aims to establish it as one of the three major international competitions on the rugby calendar outside of the Rugby World Cup. The USA will host the Pacific Nations Cup conferences each year and will alternate with Japan as hosts of the finals.

The success of the 2019 Men's Rugby World Cup in Japan confirmed the viability of hosting the tournament outside of the game's 'traditional' strongholds, and the willingness of fans to travel and bring valuable tourist dollars to the USA. By many measures, it was the most successful Rugby World Cup to date, attracting new commercial sponsors and revenue streams that continue to partner with rugby.