Rugby World Cup Coming to USA in 2031

The world's third-largest rugby community is finally getting its moment on the global stage.

The United States will host both the men's and women's Rugby World Cups in 2031 and 2033. For a sport that's struggled to gain mainstream traction in America, this represents the most significant decade in its North American history.

The journey hasn't been smooth. Major League Rugby launched in 2018 with seven teams and grew to thirteen by 2022, but financial pressures forced the league to contract dramatically. Four teams suspended operations before the 2026 season, and two more merged, leaving just six committed franchises.

But there are real signs of growth. ESPN2 now broadcasts a dedicated Sunday Night Rugby slot, and 75,000 viewers tuned in for the 2025 MLR final. That's an audience that simply didn't exist a decade ago.

On the international front, the momentum looks even better. The USA Eagles just qualified for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, ending an absence from the tournament that started in 2019. Currently ranked 19th globally, they'll use 2027 as a showcase ahead of hosting in 2031.

The Eagles now compete in the newly launched World Rugby Nations Cup, giving American players consistent, competitive international matches for the first time. This regular high-level competition is exactly what the sport needs to develop elite talent.

The Ripple Effect

Here's the surprising part: the US already has the third-highest number of rugby participants in the world. The challenge isn't getting people to play; it's building the professional structures, coaching pipelines, and competitive opportunities that traditional rugby nations developed over a century.

The gap is real. South Africa's Springboks play eleven test matches in 2026 alone, while Team USA managed just two against top-tier nations in 2025. But that's changing with new tournaments and increased visibility.

A successful World Cup hosted across a nation of 330 million people with the world's most powerful sports broadcasting market could reshape rugby's commercial landscape globally. When rugby wins in America, every rugby nation benefits from the expanded attention and resources.

The foundation is being laid for something genuinely transformative in global sports.