New Zealand have been awarded hosting rights to the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup. The tournament is to be the ninth in history and the first ever outside of the Northern Hemisphere.
The most recent edition of the Women’s Rugby World Cup took place in 2017 in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. New Zealand were champions, defeating England in the final. The Americas were represented by Canada and the USA in what was a 12-team competition.
New Zealand’s north island will host the 2021 tournament matches. The matches will be played in the cities of Auckland and Whangarei in what is to be a six-week tournament.
The hosting rights were awarded to New Zealand who beat off a bid from Australia. The decision from World Rugby means 2021 will be the first Women’s Rugby World Cup since 2006 not to be hosted in Europe.
The Canadian hosted tournament in 2006 is the only one of the first eight played outside of Europe. Matches were played in Alberta province.