sport news Rugby World Cup in the US set to be held in the summer in bid to generate $1bn ... trends now
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The Rugby World Cup could be moved from its traditional autumn slot to the summer after the USA was handed hosting rights to the game’s glittering showpiece for the first time.
World Rugby on Thursday confirmed the destinations for the next five global tournaments with America the venue for the men’s competition in 2031 and the women’s in 2033.
The USA’s bid for the men’s World Cup involves plans to hold games at NFL stadiums meaning the two competitions must not clash.
Rugby set for lift-off in the United States after being confirmed as a future World Cup host
Both the Rugby World Cup and the NFL season traditionally start in September.
Asked if that would mean he’d consider a shift on the rugby front, World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin said: ‘We would. The US would ideally be slightly earlier (in the year).
‘We need to spend some time thinking about what the challenges are with that. That will involve discussions with professional leagues around the world.
‘We're not going to do a Qatar and just plonk it in the middle of a lot of other competitions.’
World Rugby wants to tap into America's vast sporting culture and commercial potential
Gilpin’s Qatar reference was a subtle dig at football’s 2022 World Cup which will start in the Middle East in November and interrupt the Premier League
