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Rugby Giants Excluded from Hosting Future World Cups
2 Mar
Summary
- South Africa and New Zealand, dominant rugby nations, won't host future World Cups.
- World Rugby prioritizes hosting countries that generate maximum revenue.
- Economic outlook and government support are key factors in hosting decisions.
South Africa and New Zealand, countries with significant Rugby World Cup success, are unlikely to host future tournaments, according to SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer. He explained that World Rugby prioritizes maximizing revenue to fund the sport globally.
Oberholzer indicated that neither South Africa nor New Zealand can generate the same financial returns as other potential host nations. Decisions will be driven by where the most money can be made, with Europe or the Middle East being more likely destinations.
This strategic shift means that hosting bids must align with World Rugby's financial goals, considering local and national government support and economic viability. Both South Africa and New Zealand face economic challenges that limit government appetite for supporting such large-scale events.
