Pittsburgh Advances in Bid to Host 2031 Men’s Rugby World Cup

PITTSBURGH – Pittsburgh is officially among the 27 U.S. cities advancing to the Applicant Phase of the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2031 Host City Selection Process, marking an exciting step forward in the city’s ongoing effort to bring one of the world’s premier sporting events to the region.

The announcement, made by World Rugby during the United by Rugby Summit in Chicago, signifies Pittsburgh’s growing reputation as a world-class sports destination and underscores the collaborative work of SportsPITTSBURGH, the sports development division of VisitPITTSBURGH, in attracting global events that drive economic impact and community pride.

“This marks a significant milestone for the city of Pittsburgh,” said Jim Britt, Vice President of Sports Events for VisitPITTSBURGH. “As rugby's popularity continues to rise across the U.S., we're thrilled at the prospect of hosting the Rugby World Cup. Pittsburgh is ready to embrace the rugby community's spirit, and with strong local support and a proven track record of hosting world-class events, we're confident that our city has the potential to offer an unforgettable experience for fans across the globe."

Hosting the Rugby World Cup would bring immense economic and cultural benefits to the region. The event – which boasts the rank of third-largest sporting tournament in the world, after the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics — is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of international visitors and generate hundreds of millions in visitor spending for host cities across the U.S.

For Pittsburgh, it represents an opportunity to:

• Showcase the city’s premier sports venues and infrastructure, from Acrisure Stadium to community fields supporting grassroots rugby.
• Drive economic impact through increased hotel stays, restaurant traffic, and tourism-related spending.
• Inspire community connection and expand youth sports participation by introducing rugby to new players and fans across Western Pennsylvania.

SportsPITTSBURGH’s mission is to drive the region’s economy and reputation through sports tourism, attracting events that not only fill hotel rooms but also celebrate Pittsburgh’s passionate fan culture, deep-rooted sports heritage, and welcoming spirit.

Since its inception, SportsPITTSBURGH which has hosted 400+ events and generated more than $100 million annually in direct visitor spending across Allegheny County, securing a diverse slate of national and international sporting events, from major youth sports competitions and NCAA Championships to larger-scale events like the 2023 National Senior Games and the 2026 NFL Draft. The organization’s expertise and resources, combined with the city’s accessibility, modern amenities, and collaborative community, has positioned the city as a leading contender for major global events.

“Few cities embrace sports the way Pittsburgh does,” Britt added. “From our championship history to our passionate, welcoming fans and strong hospitality community, everything about Pittsburgh aligns with the Rugby World Cup’s spirit — one of unity, respect, and celebration through sport.”

During the next 14 months, World Rugby and USA Rugby will collaborate with applicant cities through a detailed evaluation process that includes venue assessments, feasibility studies, and community engagement opportunities. A shortlist of finalist cities will be announced in late 2026, with final host city selections confirmed following the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

“The enthusiastic response from across the U.S. has been extraordinary. These cities represent not only iconic sports destinations but also new, emerging, and existing rugby communities. Their commitment underscores the opportunity Men’s Rugby World Cup 2031 presents to cement the U.S.’s status as a major player in global rugby, but also to inspire and unite new fans, audiences, and commercial partners for the sport more broadly to deliver lasting impact,” said World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin.

Though preliminary, this prospective opportunity is one of many ways SportsPITTSBURGH intends to strengthen Pittsburgh’s connection to rugby — from grassroots programs to international competition — as part of a long-term effort to diversify and grow the city’s sports portfolio.

To learn more about SportsPITTSBURGH, visit www.sportspittsburgh.com.

As the sports development division of VisitPITTSBURGH, SportsPITTSBURGH’s primary goal is to attract and host a wide variety of sporting events while providing planners and local stakeholders with the expertise and professionalism required to host a world-class event in the Pittsburgh region.

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World Rugby will upload photography to the following link after today’s event: https://worldrugby.app.box.com...