Spain has become the latest country to bid to host the 2035 Men’s Rugby World Cup, with Barcelona’s Nou Camp bookmarked to host the final.

The European nation now joins a growing bidding war for the tournament in nine years’ time, with Argentina leading a combined bid alongside Uruguay, Chile and Brazil.

Spain are set to compete in next year’s showcase event in Australia, marking their first Men’s World Cup campaign since 1999. They have also qualified for the Women’s competition on five occasions.

Spain launch Rugby World Cup bid

Spain is no stranger to holding major rugby events, with Bilbao hosting the 2026 Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge final and the 2016 Top 14 final was also played at the Nou Camp. But with rugby continuing to gain a foothold in the country, they have now officially launched their bid to host the 2035 Rugby World Cup.

“Rugby is becoming part of our country’s identity,” said Juan Carlos Martin ‘Hansen’, executive president of the Spanish rugby federation (RFER). “The warmth, openness and desire to share moments with others that characterise our country fit perfectly with the spirit that a Rugby World Cup creates.

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“Working together with World Rugby, we can make Rugby World Cup 2035 a turning point in the global growth of the sport, for the benefit of generations to come.

“We have complete confidence in our organisational capability; our sports infrastructure is at the cutting edge of innovation, and we are convinced that hosting Rugby World Cup 2035 will bring new and unique dimensions of hospitality, collaboration, unity and friendship to the global rugby family.”

Spain are also planning to tap into the country’s sporting infrastructure as part of their bid. Should it be successful, Barcelona’s Nou Camp would play host to the final, while Real Madrid’s Bernabéu is also on the list of venues.

Hosting rights for the competition will be decided in November 2027, following the end of that year’s Men’s edition in Australia. The USA will then host the 2031 Men’s Rugby World Cup, with the two nations also playing host to the 2029 and 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cups, respectively.