US/Canada want to host RWC 2023

[dudeabides]

Man, talk about a long shot!

United States.-The former captain of the England international and CEO Union U.S., Nigel Melville , said the United States is conducting relevant assessments to see whether or not to file his candidacy.

"We were nourishing of various data and information during the World Cup in New Zealand. Know it is a very long and hard and so, for the moment, we are in the process of discussion," said Melville.

"Even Canada would be interested in joining and collaborating with the possibility of having a seat and to receive tournament games. Toronto and Vancouver are two strongholds for the sport and made the World Cup, the sport would charge a tremendous boost," said the CEO of USA Rugby.

While the United States was involved in six of the seven editions of Cup World is not a country where rugby is highlighted by its tradition. Even Melville recorded that would better chance of winning the seat in case of running for 2027.

http://www.elintransigente.com/notas/2012/12/10/estados-unidos-quiere-ser-sede-rwc-2023-160680.asp

 

[Helmy]

It would be good for the sport if they were awarded it. While local interest might not be great, I'm pretty sure they'll still get an influx of touring supporters. I think NZ is relevant, because being as isolated and small as we are, luring in tourists would have caused difficulties in convincing the IRB we were capable of hosting the WC, albeit for different reasons.

 

[RWC2011Fan]

I think the World Cup should return to a major rugby nation, like South Africa, after 2019 in Japan.

I'd say wait for rugby to go professional in the US or Canada before hosting the tournament. I'd like to see nations like Ireland, Italy, Argentina and South Africa receive the tournament before the U.S (throw a AUS-NZ co-host in there somewhere for good measure as well ).

 

[j'nuh]

Doesn't the American Football schedule conflict with the RWC? Can't see stadiums being filled out whilst this is the case...

Would like to see Italy 2023 and Argentina 2027 myself.

 

[norcalbuff]

It would need to be played July-August if it was in the US. I think by 2023 rugby may very well be big enough here for it. I would hope that a pro league would be a condition of the tournament much like the MLS was for the US hosting the 94 FIFA WC.

 

[admartian]

It would be good for the sport if they were awarded it. While local interest might not be great, I'm pretty sure they'll still get an influx of touring supporters. I think NZ is relevant, because being as isolated and small as we are, luring in tourists would have caused difficulties in convincing the IRB we were capable of hosting the WC, albeit for different reasons.

I agree. But I also agree that it should be within a home nation every other world cup.

Maybe they should do alternates in hosting for example 2023: America/Canada, 2027: SA, 2031: ?, 2035: AU/NZ etc.

 

[Big Ewis]

Hell no !!! Yall don't deserve it !! Nahhh kidding.
sooner or later a RWC MUST take place up there in North America. Heck, a RWC is what got ME into rugby...the ultimate promoter, the very essence of a sport displayed on the biggest stage, the highest stakes...
God speed North America, I'd love for that to happen....
Also, I desperately wish to be alive by then...that would help too.

 

[psychic duck]

USA aren't considered contenders to host. You can forget it. They are just bidding for the IRB to consider them in the more distant future.

South Africa, Argentina and Italy are seen as the main contenders I think. Ireland are also bidding apparently.

 

[norcalbuff]

USA aren't considered contenders to host. You can forget it. They are just bidding for the IRB to consider them in the more distant future.

South Africa, Argentina and Italy are seen as the main contenders I think. Ireland are also bidding apparently.

I think this is right. It seems a bit like a trial balloon to me, perhaps to gauge the IRB's reaction and then actually go for it in 2027.

But just to play devil's advocate, 11 years is a long time and rugby has been making some big strides in this country over the past few years so who knows where the sport will be here in 2023. 2012 saw American rugby set its own records for attendances in both 15s and 7s. If those crowds keep growing and player numbers keep growing, maybe 2023 isn't as unrealistic as it seems at first glance?

 

[racingmetrofan]

I doubt half the prospective fans could get visas to America tbh.

 

[Big Ewis]

I'm sure Rugby will get popular eventually in the States. Loads of ppl play sports there, it's a pretty athletic nation overall (yes there are loads of obese ppl proportionally, but still...), they like excitement and action and there's plenty in rugby. But yes I'd be curious to see how rugby looks like in 2023 in America...11 years IS a long time, and I don't think anyone could just say "yeah, it'll be the same as now" with certainty.

 

[usausa]

I'm sure Rugby will get popular eventually in the States. Loads of ppl play sports there, it's a pretty athletic nation overall (yes there are loads of obese ppl proportionally, but still...), they like excitement and action and there's plenty in rugby. But yes I'd be curious to see how rugby looks like in 2023 in America...11 years IS a long time, and I don't think anyone could just say "yeah, it'll be the same as now" with certainty.

Rugby competes with I'd say five major sports right now. Baseball, american football, basketball, ice hockey, and soccer. In certain parts of the country lacrosse is big with kids as well. So 6 sports. While rugby is exciting and more youths are playing, it competes with too many sports that capture the American mind more. Rugby is rarely on television here as it is. Right now USA Rugby can't even straighten out its senior and collegiate rugby structure and rules and policies. We need to focus on our domestic game first before going out, and getting/wasting funds on a World Cup.

 

[norcalbuff]

Rugby competes with I'd say five major sports right now. Baseball, american football, basketball, ice hockey, and soccer. In certain parts of the country lacrosse is big with kids as well. So 6 sports. While rugby is exciting and more youths are playing, it competes with too many sports that capture the American mind more. Rugby is rarely on television here as it is. Right now USA Rugby can't even straighten out its senior and collegiate rugby structure and rules and policies. We need to focus on our domestic game first before going out, and getting/wasting funds on a World Cup.

Exposure has been the main obstacle to rugby's growth here. A World Cup would be huge for that. Soccer as a spectator sport in the US was a joke prior to the 1994 FIFA WC. The World Cup came in conjunction with a pro league and soccer has grown a lot as a spectator sport here since then.

 

[LittleGuy]

I doubt half the prospective fans could get visas to America tbh.

Not really, the following countries that made the last RWC are all visa free entry into the States.

USA(there are no inter state barriers to travel)
Canada
England
Wales
Scotland
Ireland(both North and Republic)
Australia
France
New Zealand
Italy
Japan
*Argentina and Romania are currently undergoing Visa Free travel disscussions with the U.S.A.(which could very well be completed by a 2023 or later timeline).

This leaves off...

Georgia
Russia
Fiji
Tonga
Samoa
Namibia
South Africa

As well some prospective qualifiers have Visa Free status.
Spain
Portugal
*Uruguay is in disscussions

Aside from South Africa I can't see an overwhelming amount of fans coming from any of the non visa countries. As well there is no reason why applicants from these countries would be rejected en masse.(I'll accept an argument for Russian visitors being denied at a higher rate)

 

[Big Ewis]

Rugby competes with I'd say five major sports right now. Baseball, american football, basketball, ice hockey, and soccer. In certain parts of the country lacrosse is big with kids as well. So 6 sports. While rugby is exciting and more youths are playing, it competes with too many sports that capture the American mind more. Rugby is rarely on television here as it is. Right now USA Rugby can't even straighten out its senior and collegiate rugby structure and rules and policies. We need to focus on our domestic game first before going out, and getting/wasting funds on a World Cup.

yeah yeah, we've had this convo a few times before (on the forum), you're right of course. But still, in absolute terms Rugby is a sport that has all the attributes to seduce the american public. It needs exposure somehow...and obviously a RWC there would be fantastic, perhaps even decisive in finally establishing the sport officially there, once and for all (!!)

 

[Shaggy]

it would be great to see it in this part of the world, at some stage. I'm actually amazed how many people love the game here, so I don't see selling the seats as a problem

 

[BRSTLDRGN]

Should the US ever get a RWC, what if Cuba then qualify? US won't let them in. And the Cuban's reaction will be "are you havana laugh?"