Kansas City Bids for 2031 Rugby World Cup Matches

Kansas City proved it could host the world's biggest soccer party in 2026, and now the city wants to do it again with rugby.

The Kansas City Sports Commission is finalizing a bid to host matches for the 2031 Rugby World Cup, with an August 31 deadline fast approaching. This would bring the world's fifth-largest sporting event to a city that just earned rave reviews for hosting six FIFA World Cup matches.

"The fact that that is a huge possibility now brings a lot of good energy," said Casey Cummings, head coach of the Kansas City Blues Rugby Club 15s team. As a lifelong rugby player, he never imagined his hometown could host such a prestigious tournament.

The FIFA World Cup experience showed Kansas City knows how to throw an international party. Tens of thousands packed Fan Fest to watch matches and concerts, while the famous Orange Wave of Netherlands supporters transformed the city into a sea of excited fans from around the globe.

Local rugby players got to witness that magic firsthand. Vince Jacoby, vice captain of the Kansas City Blues 7s team, soaked in the atmosphere at several World Cup events and saw how different cultures came together in his city.

The Ripple Effect

The impact of hosting the Rugby World Cup could transform Kansas City's rugby scene. Mark Barbour, captain of the Blues 7s team, believes the exposure could spark the same rugby boom that the FIFA World Cup created for soccer.

Joe Fridkin, Blues President, saw how Kansas City showcased itself during the soccer tournament. The combination of world-class facilities, enthusiastic crowds, and Midwest hospitality left a lasting impression on visitors from dozens of countries.

World Rugby Hall of Famer Naas Botha, now director of rugby for the Kansas City Blues, thinks America is ready to make the Rugby World Cup even bigger than the soccer version. His confidence comes from watching how well American cities handled the FIFA tournament.

Kathy Nelson, president of the Kansas City Sports Commission, encourages residents to get familiar with rugby soon. The sport's global following rivals soccer in many countries, especially in powerhouses like New Zealand, South Africa, England, and Australia.

For young rugby players in Kansas City, the bid represents something deeper than just hosting matches. It validates years of dedication to a sport that often flies under the radar in American sports culture.

The city that surprised the world with its soccer hospitality now has a chance to prove it wasn't a fluke.