Argentina has launched a bid to host the 2035 Rugby World Cup, proposing a South American tournament with Brazil, Chile and Uruguay. If awarded, expect a home-field boost for Los Pumas and expanded local betting markets; punters may back Argentina for deeper tournament runs and target crowd-driven props and match-winning markets at favourable early odds.
Argentina drives 2035 Rugby World Cup bid with South American partners
Argentina has officially pressed forward with a bid to host the 2035 Rugby World Cup, aiming to take the showpiece to South America for the first time. The Argentine Rugby Union is proposing a multi-nation plan that would involve stadiums and infrastructure in Brazil, Chile and Uruguay to stage the tournament.
World Rugby fact-finding and timeline
World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin has visited Argentina on a fact-finding mission as officials prepare for formal applications expected in the latter half of 2026. After site visits and assessments, World Rugby will identify a preferred host in May 2027, with a final recommendation set for a vote in November 2027.
Why Argentina believes it can host
Argentina points to its passionate fanbase, growing domestic development of the game and a portfolio of multi-purpose stadiums capable of handling large-scale events. Los Pumas have contested all previous Rugby World Cups and have reached the semi-finals three times in the last five tournaments, underscoring the nation’s rugby pedigree.
Potential venues and recent fixtures
Los Pumas currently rotate home matches across major venues. Upcoming fixtures this July include Scotland at the 57,000-capacity Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Córdoba, Wales at the 25,000-seat Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, and England at Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Estero, which holds around 30,000. Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, home to River Plate, is the largest stadium in South America with capacity exceeding 85,000 and features prominently in Argentina’s hosting pitch.
Global context and competition
World Rugby has balanced commercial returns with expansion into new markets when selecting hosts. Japan staged the tournament for the first time in 2019; the United States is scheduled for 2031; France and Australia have both hosted multiple times. Other nations, including Japan, Spain and Italy, have signalled interest in bidding for 2035, and a joint Middle East proposal has been mooted.
Implications for the sport and betting markets
A successful Argentina-led bid would broaden rugby’s footprint in South America, boost local investment and heighten matchday atmospheres. For bettors, home advantage and increased local markets could shift odds in favour of Argentina, create more prop markets tied to crowd influence and open value opportunities on match outcomes and tournament-stage bets early in the bidding cycle.
What comes next
In the coming months Argentina will refine venue proposals and logistical plans ahead of the 2026 application window.
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World Rugby’s inspections and assessments over the next year will be crucial in determining whether the South American bid secures preferred-host status in 2027.
The Bbc
