Four Bids Made to Host Rugby World Cup 2023

World Rugby has confirmed that four bids have been made to host Rugby World Cup 2023. One of them will not be Argentina with the South American country instead set to bid to host the global event in 2027.

Four bidders matches the number for Rugby World Cups 2015 and 2019, won by England and Japan respectively. The two losing bidders from those years, Italy and South Africa, are both back again seeking to host the tournament in 2023.

In the case of South Africa the bid is remarkably a fourth in as many tournaments. South Africa’s bid to host Rugby World Cup 2011 was unsuccessful with the IRB (now World Rugby) council voting out South Africa in the first round and ultimately choosing New Zealand over Japan.

Italy’s bid for Rugby World Cup 2015 was unsuccessful as World Rugby sought to maximize financial returns in a troubled economic time against the backdrop of the global financial crisis. Italy, nonetheless, did attract support and offered a viable alternative.

For 2023 Italy and South Africa are joined by France and Ireland as alternative options. Of the four it is France which will be the England 2015 version of 2023. This is the case due to the market size of France and proven experience in hosting. The question to be answered is whether or not 2023 is too soon after 2007.

France’s hosting of Rugby World Cup 2007 included both Scotland and Wales and was also to include Ireland only for the emerald isle to pull out due to the reconstruction of what is now the Aviva Stadium. Ireland previously hosted matches in Rugby World Cups 1991 and 1999 as did France.

South Africa hosted the tournament in 1995, doing so exclusively. This leaves Italy as the only bidder yet to have hosted a Rugby World Cup match. The Italians will have over two decades of Six Nations participation and a decade of involvement in the Guinness Pro 12 on their resume.

Also in Italy’s favor is the use of big stadiums outside of Rome. Cities including Genoa, Milan, Torino and Verona have done well when used in the past for hosting international matches outside of the Six Nations. South Africa is comparable in this regard, the difference being it is a previous host.

Ireland’s bid is to be one based on the heartland image. Like New Zealand’s bid for 2011 Ireland is to seek to make it a nationwide event played in a small country with a small population. Unlike New Zealand, however, Ireland’s home matches are strictly played in Dublin.

France intends on using stadia from the UEFA Euro 2016 tournament. Venues for the European soccer championship are all either new or upgraded. South Africa’s bid is based on using the stadiums constructed for the hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Applicants are due to submit their bids by September 01 2016. Those meeting the criteria will move to the candidate phase on November 01 2016.  The final decision of where Rugby World Cup 2023 will be staged will take place in November 2017.