Spain has announced a bid to host the 2035 Rugby World Cup, proposing several of its premier stadiums as potential venues for the tournament. The list includes some of the country’s most iconic football stadiums, such as Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu, Barcelona’s Camp Nou, and Atletico Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium.

Juan Carlos Hansen, president of the Spanish rugby federation, expressed confidence in the bid, stating that hosting the Rugby World Cup could serve as a significant milestone in the sport’s global development. He emphasized Spain’s capacity to stage a major international rugby event, highlighting the facilities and infrastructure available.

The 2035 tournament is attracting interest from multiple countries, with Japan and Argentina also having declared their bids to host the event. Both nations are noted for their strong rugby traditions and experience in organizing major sporting competitions. Japan previously hosted the tournament in 2019, marking the first time it was held in Asia, while Argentina has a rich rugby history and has co-hosted other high-profile international sports events.

Spain’s bid marks an ambitious effort to expand rugby’s presence in a country where football predominates. If successful, it would represent the first Rugby World Cup held in Spain and potentially catalyze growth and increased popularity for the sport in the region.

The governing body overseeing the selection process for the 2035 Rugby World Cup has yet to announce a final decision. The competing bids will be evaluated based on various criteria, including stadium quality, infrastructure, rugby development, and the potential to grow the sport’s fanbase globally.