Spain are reportedly the favourites to host the 2035 Rugby World Cup, according to the Daily Mail. After Australia in 2027 and the United States in 2031, World Rugby appear to be in favour of a return to Europe.

Three major strengths for the Spanish bid

  • Impressive infrastructure

Spain boast emblematic stadiums such as the Camp Nou (Barcelona), which will offer more than 100,000 seats once its renovations are completed in 2026, the Santiago Bernabeu (Madrid) with its 80,000 seats, and the Reale Arena in the Basque Country, which already stages rugby matches on a regular basis.

  • World Rugby’s wish to come back to Europe

With nine European nations qualified for the 2023 World Cup in France, a return to the Old Continent twelve years later would seem logical. Italy are also said to be bidding, while Japan and a joint bid from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are reportedly in the running too.

  • A growing rugby footprint

Spanish rugby is growing, with qualification for the 2027 World Cup, its first appearance since 1999. Spain have also hosted the HSBC Sevens Series finals in Madrid, and San Mames (Bilbao) will be the stage for the European finals in 2026 after those of 2018.