Global governing body World Rugby has unveiled 27 prospective host cities and areas that have applied to stage games at the men's 2031 Rugby World Cup (RWC) in the US.
Those cities and areas have now formally entered the applicant phase of the host selection process by submitting letters of intent for the inaugural RWC to be held in the Americas.
They are as follows: Arizona, Atlanta, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles Region, Miami, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, New York/New Jersey, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, St. Louis, Vancouver, and Washington DC.
For the next 14 months, World Rugby and the USA Rugby national organization will "assess, evaluate, and collaborate with all applicants and venues through a detailed engagement process."
In terms of rugby union's presence in the US, the Major League Rugby tournament (which launched in 2018 but has faced severe financial issues in recent years) currently has seven franchises operating (with several having left the league in recent years), located in Boston, Washington DC, Charlotte, Chicago, Utah, Seattle, and Southern California.
The final host cities and areas to stage RWC 2031 games - with the tournament tentatively scheduled to run across September and October of that year - will be selected following the next edition of the men's tournament, which will take place in Australia in 2027.
Then, at the end of 2026, a reduced number of cities and areas will officially move into the candidate phase.
The US will then host the 16-team Women's Rugby World Cup in 2033, following on from the 24-team men's edition two years earlier.
It was awarded hosting rights to both events in May 2022.
Alan Gilpin, chief executive at World Rugby, said: "The enthusiastic response from across the US has been extraordinary. These cities and areas represent not only iconic sports destinations but also new, emerging, and existing rugby communities.
"Their commitment underscores the opportunity [the] men’s Rugby World Cup 2031 presents to cement the United States’ 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.”
Late September saw World Rugby officially launch the process through which nations can bid to host the men's RWC in 2035.
At its general assembly in London, World Rugby said expressions of interest will be opened for applicants from next month, with preferred hosts chosen in May 2027.
The final decision by the World Rugby Council will be announced in November 2027.
