Seattle makes pitch to host Rugby World Cup matches
World Cup excitement in the U.S. won't end with FIFA's international soccer tournament this summer.
The U.S. is also hosting the 2031 Men's Rugby World Cup and the 2033 Women's Rugby World Cup, both major international rugby tournaments with a global audience. World Rugby, the sport's governing body, in October confirmed that Seattle is one of 27 cities or regions that have become applicants to host matches in 2031.
It's an idea welcomed by Major League Rugby co-president Alexander Magleby, who told the Business Journal that Seattle is "one of our great Rugby hubs in the United States."
"Seattle fans, in general, are just awesome. You look at the support they get around the Sounders, and they really got into that. That was really the first MLS team that showed what supporters could do," Magleby said. "We've seen that transition with rugby as well. The (MLR) Seawolves have one of the more passionate fan bases in the league. They've got a great group of owners. ... If I'm World Rugby and making a pick on places to be, I would say that is a great city for the Rugby World Cup."
https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2026/03/30/rugby-world-cup-mlr-seawolves-alexander-magleby.html