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sports1d ago
Saudi Arabia abandons plans to host 2035 Rugby World Cup amid funding cutback
- Saudi Arabia ends bid plans for the 2035 Rugby World Cup as part of a new PIF strategy.
- The decision means no expression of interest was submitted before World Rugby’s October 2026 deadline.
- The move follows PIF’s value realization phase of Vision 2030, prioritizing returns on investments.
- PIF will still invest in sport but focus on domestic projects like infrastructure for the 2034 FIFA World Cup and Riyadh’s Formula One track.
- Qatar shows more advanced rugby interest and has a deal to host the Nations Championship finals in 2028.
- World Rugby’s bidding process for 2035 opened last October, with Argentina, Japan and Spain among initial express interest.
- The formal bid deadline is October 2026, giving Gulf states time to reconsider.
- World Rugby will name a preferred bidder in May 2027, with a formal appointment in the following autumn.
- The suspension of the Rwanda-style rebel LIV Golf project is linked to PIF’s new strategy.
- The Guardian reports exclusive background on Saudi Arabia’s reluctance to bid amid Iran-related tensions.
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