Pittsburgh in running to host 2031 Men's Rugby World Cup

As Pittsburgh prepares to host one of the biggest events in the city’s history in April, it has been included among 27 U.S. cities as a possible host for the 2031 Men’s Rugby World Cup.

City officials are hard at work getting the city read for the 2026 NFL Draft, but VisitPittsburgh on Friday touted Pittsburgh’s place among top destinations for an international event.

The announcement was made by World Rugby during the United by Rugby Summit in Chicago. SportsPittsburgh, the sports development division of VisitPittsburgh, touted Pittsburgh’s growing reputation as a world-class sports destination.

“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.”

According to VisitPittsburgh, the event is the third-largest sporting tournament in the world, after the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics. It 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.

If selected, it could showcase the city’s sports venues and infrastructure, from Acrisure Stadium to community fields supporting grassroots rugby.

“Few cities embrace sports the way Pittsburgh does,” Britt said. “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.”

World Rugby and USA Rugby will collaborate with applicant cities through an evaluation process over the next 14 months, looking at venue assessments, feasibility studies and community engagement opportunities.

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,” World Rugby Chief Executive Alan Gilpin said in a statement. “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.’ 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.”