Argentina Bids to Host 2035 Rugby World Cup

Argentina is stepping up its campaign to host the 2035 Rugby World Cup, a move that would mark the first time the sport’s flagship tournament lands on South American soil. The bid represents a major opportunity for the region to showcase its rugby infrastructure and strengthen its position as a global player in the sport. For Latin American athletes and organizations, the stakes extend beyond rugby itself.

Argentina’s Ambitious Rugby Hosting Push

The Argentine Rugby Union is actively pursuing the hosting rights for 2035, signaling serious intent to bring one of international sport’s most prestigious events home. This bid comes at a time when Argentina’s rugby program continues to develop competitive depth, with the national team maintaining regular participation in major tournaments. The country’s rugby infrastructure, spread across Buenos Aires and provincial strongholds like Córdoba and Mendoza, has been strengthened over recent years to support both domestic and international matches.

Argentina would be the first South American nation to host the Rugby World Cup if successful. The tournament typically draws global attention comparable to major football championships, with matches filling large stadiums and broadcasting rights generating significant revenue. For Argentina, hosting would cement its status as a continental rugby leader while providing economic stimulus through tourism, hospitality, and infrastructure development.

The bid process itself is competitive. Rugby World Cup hosting rights are awarded years in advance, allowing nations to prepare facilities, secure funding, and organize logistics at scale. Argentina’s proposal emphasizes the country’s existing stadium capacity, transportation networks, and experience hosting international sporting events—assets that strengthen its candidacy against other potential bidders.

What a South American World Cup Means

Hosting the 2035 Rugby World Cup would reshape how South America views rugby development and investment. The region has historically concentrated sporting resources on football, but a World Cup bid signals diversification. Infrastructure built for rugby—stadiums, training facilities, broadcast capabilities—becomes available for other sports and community use long after the tournament ends. This multiplier effect benefits not just rugby but the entire Latin American sports ecosystem.

The tournament would also raise the profile of rugby across South America, potentially attracting young athletes who might otherwise focus exclusively on football. More competition for talent forces improvement in training standards and athletic development systems region-wide. For scouts and coaches, a World Cup hosted in Argentina creates visibility opportunities—younger athletes gain exposure to international-level play, and emerging talent can be identified on home soil.

Impact on Latin American Football

While Argentina’s rugby bid may seem distant from Colombian and regional football interests, the connection runs deeper than expected. Successful hosting of major sporting events strengthens a nation’s bargaining power in bidding for other tournaments. If Argentina successfully hosts rugby’s World Cup, the country’s credibility as an event organizer grows, making future bids to host Copa América, World Cup qualifiers, or women’s football tournaments more competitive. For Colombian football, a more active South American sports landscape means increased regional investment, better facilities, and stronger development pathways across all sports.

Additionally, hosting major events drives media infrastructure improvements and broadcasting capabilities that benefit all sports. Better stadium facilities, improved transportation, and enhanced security protocols—all developed for rugby—become available to football clubs and national teams. Young athletes across the region also benefit from expanded opportunities: more tournaments, better-equipped training centers, and professional standards that elevate competition quality. Colombia’s football development ecosystem—already strong—becomes even more competitive and sophisticated when neighboring countries invest heavily in sports infrastructure.

What’s Next for Argentina’s Bid

Argentina must now navigate the formal bidding process, which involves submitting detailed proposals, hosting inspection visits from World Rugby officials, and competing against other potential host nations. The timeline stretches to 2035, giving the country substantial opportunity to prepare. Success depends on demonstrating financial viability, stadium readiness, security capacity, and public support—all areas where Argentina has previous experience from hosting major football and rugby events.

For Latin American sports observers, Argentina’s bid represents confidence in the region’s ability to organize world-class events. Whether rugby becomes the next major tournament to shift focus toward South America remains to be seen, but Argentina’s push signals that the continent is ready to compete for global sporting attention beyond football. The next few years will reveal whether this ambitious vision becomes reality—and what that success means for sports development across Latin America.