The 2035 Rugby World Cup final could be hosted at the iconic Camp Nou in Barcelona.
The Spanish Rugby Federation are in talks with La Liga to use the best football stadiums in Spain as part of their bid to stage the tournament.
This is the first time Spain has made a play to host a global rugby event. The sport is gaining traction in the country, and Spain has the world-class sporting infrastructure to handle such a showpiece.
Delegates from the Spanish federation recently met with World Rugby executives to outline their vision for the tournament.
Their proposal includes plans to host showdowns at the newly refurbished Camp Nou and Santiago Bernabeu, home to 15-time Champions League winners Real Madrid.
Camp Nou is undergoing a £1.3 billion transformation and will reopen in June 2026 with an increased capacity of 105,000.
The Bernabeu has already completed its extensive modernisation, further making Spain’s case as a host nation.
The Spain bid also includes the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao. The venue hosted massive rugby events, such as the Champions Cup final in 2018 and 2024.
The federation hopes that the allure of these elite stadiums and Spain’s rugby credentials will strengthen their bid.
Spain’s primary competition for the 2035 tournament is expected to be Italy. With Australia hosting in 2027 and the United States set for 2031, the consensus is that the event will return to Europe in 2035.
Japan is the early front-runner for the 2039 tournament, which will likely be held in Asia, but the Middle East may provide competition.
The Spanish national team has made steady progress on the rugby scene. They qualified for the 2023 World Cup.
However, they were expelled for breaching eligibility rules in qualification. Spain bounced back and secured their place for the 2027 edition.
The women’s team has also qualified for the 2025 tournament in England. They are performing well in the international sevens circuit. A decision on the 2035 host nation is expected before the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
World Rugby chair Brett Robinson acknowledged Spain’s potential, citing its large market, top-tier stadiums and passionate sporting culture. He also highlighted the importance of balancing global expansion with European tradition.
Robinson said: “We have made big strategic moves with Australia and the US. Now we must consider whether to bring the tournament back to Europe before returning to Asia.”
A few logistical concerns must be addressed, such as scheduling around La Liga and the Champions League.
The 2031 World Cup in the US will start in September, despite initial speculation about a summer shift to avoid clashing with the NFL season.
Negotiations with the scheduling department of the NFL are already underway to manage potential conflicts.
