NFL stadiums could soon be used in a Rugby World Cup, should USA Rugby succeed in its bid to host the men’s event in 2027 or 2031 and the women’s in 2029.
The American union is proceeding with its bid to host the fourth-biggest world sporting event, after completing a feasibility study reported by the Guardian last year.
Russia and Australia are also among bidders but according to well-placed sources, World Rugby may favour a money-making 2027 men’s World Cup in Australia followed by the US four years later.
If so the US may face competition from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, who the Guardian revealed to be considering a joint bid as they attempt to rebuild finances battered by Covid-19.
The US, however, is a key market for expansion.
Asked about the notion of Australia ’27 followed by USA ’31, USA Rugby chief executive Ross Young, a former Rugby World Cup general manager, told the Guardian: “There are multiple unions putting their hands up.
“The first phase of this candidate phase is to dig down into preferences. And from our side there are strengths and weaknesses of ’27 being between the football World Cup [in the US, Canada and Mexico in 2026] and the Olympics [in Los Angeles in 2028].
“The longer runway we have, the more opportunity to be similar to Japan and try to make the team competitive.”
Japan were a tier-two team before hosting a hugely successful 2019 World Cup where they reached the quarter-finals. They now rank 10th in the world and play the British and Irish Lions next month. The US are ranked 16th and lost all their games in Japan.