Saudi/Qatar et al bidding for RWC

[Hugo]

Has there been a thread on this?

It was only a matter of time. Inevitably they are trying to get their hands on the RWC and I'm sure for the right price their bid will succeed.

Honestly, I probably would not watch the RWC if it ends up there. It has no connection to the sport whatsoever.

[Biffer]

Has there been a thread on this?

It was only a matter of time. Inevitably they are trying to get their hands on the RWC and I'm sure for the right price their bid will succeed.

Honestly, I probably would not watch the RWC if it ends up there. It has no connection to the sport whatsoever.

But, but, growing the game, something something, new markets something.

[assfly]

I for one welcome our Arabian overlords.

[Kiwias]

Yes, cause playing a high-contact sport like rugby in desert heat makes so much sense.

[Sandstorm]

Yes, cause playing a high-contact sport like rugby in desert heat makes so much sense.

Yeah, you’ll all be walking to lineouts from now on

[Brazil]

There was an article in the Times about it this week, which featured some World Rugby fuckwit justifying it on the basis that they sell loads of All Blacks shirts in Malaysia and Thailand, and they're in Asia as well so it's bound to be hugely popular and attended by loads of locals. On the basis of what's being said in the press I suspect it's inevitable, and it'll be declared a roaring success no matter what. The Gulf States might even buy a couple of journeymen teams for a few years to pretend they're even remotely interested in the sport.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

The important thing is the sport washing will enable some higher ups to pad their personal wealth, and nothing else matters very much, not by comparison

[tabascoboy]

And any one team of Saudi, Qatar or United Arab Emirates getting an auto qualification spot as host would be a massive nonsense

[Paddington Bear]

The sport sold out years ago, we can and should hate this but it has an air of inevitability to it and an air of ‘what on earth did we expect’.

Qatar in the end ran a really quite impressive football world cup and the timezone isn’t a disaster. Rugby will struggle far more than football without a fan culture for the games and it could be very very sterile.

That’ll be a long time without a world cup in Europe…

[Paddington Bear]

There was an article in the Times about it this week, which featured some World Rugby fuckwit justifying it on the basis that they sell loads of All Blacks shirts in Malaysia and Thailand, and they're in Asia as well so it's bound to be hugely popular and attended by loads of locals. On the basis of what's being said in the press I suspect it's inevitable, and it'll be declared a roaring success no matter what. The Gulf States might even buy a couple of journeymen teams for a few years to pretend they're even remotely interested in the sport.

Perhaps only my parochialism to blame, but I was staggered by how much interest there was in the 6N when I was in Malaysia last year

[Rhubarb & Custard]

That’ll be a long time without a world cup in Europe…

By Europe we really mean France and England, and anyway, if it was actually a World Cup it's not an odd thing Europe would have to wait. For myself at least I'm sanguine about the event going outside Europe, less so somewhere that's an autocracy with a series of rules setting out how much they hate women, homosexuals..., so with the likes of Qatar and the USA in the running, fun times.

[Paddington Bear]

That’ll be a long time without a world cup in Europe…

By Europe we really mean France and England, and anyway, if it was actually a World Cup it's not an odd thing Europe would have to wait. For myself at least I'm sanguine about the event going outside Europe, less so somewhere that's an autocracy with a series of rules setting out how much they hate women, homosexuals..., so with the likes of Qatar and the USA in the running, fun times.

Italy could host tbf. And yes I’d say by the late 2030s it’ll be time for it to come back to England, in the end the money in the sport and the fans are predominantly within the 5 Nations, successive world cups at odd times of day will surely reduce the tv valuation

[Sandstorm]

And yes I’d say by the late 2030s it’ll be time for it to come back to England, in the end the money in the sport and the fans are predominantly within the 5 Nations

RFU will fuck it up.

[Slick]

That’ll be a long time without a world cup in Europe…

By Europe we really mean France and England, and anyway, if it was actually a World Cup it's not an odd thing Europe would have to wait. For myself at least I'm sanguine about the event going outside Europe, less so somewhere that's an autocracy with a series of rules setting out how much they hate women, homosexuals..., so with the likes of Qatar and the USA in the running, fun times.

Italy could host tbf. And yes I’d say by the late 2030s it’ll be time for it to come back to England, in the end the money in the sport and the fans are predominantly within the 5 Nations, successive world cups at odd times of day will surely reduce the tv valuation

Haven't Spain and Portugal put in a joint bid as well, or planning to? That would be fun

[Paddington Bear]

By Europe we really mean France and England, and anyway, if it was actually a World Cup it's not an odd thing Europe would have to wait. For myself at least I'm sanguine about the event going outside Europe, less so somewhere that's an autocracy with a series of rules setting out how much they hate women, homosexuals..., so with the likes of Qatar and the USA in the running, fun times.

Italy could host tbf. And yes I’d say by the late 2030s it’ll be time for it to come back to England, in the end the money in the sport and the fans are predominantly within the 5 Nations, successive world cups at odd times of day will surely reduce the tv valuation

Haven't Spain and Portugal put in a joint bid as well, or planning to? That would be fun

That would be awesome

[robmatic]

There was an article in the Times about it this week, which featured some World Rugby fuckwit justifying it on the basis that they sell loads of All Blacks shirts in Malaysia and Thailand, and they're in Asia as well so it's bound to be hugely popular and attended by loads of locals. On the basis of what's being said in the press I suspect it's inevitable, and it'll be declared a roaring success no matter what. The Gulf States might even buy a couple of journeymen teams for a few years to pretend they're even remotely interested in the sport.

What bollocks. At least with the football in Qatar there was genuine and pre-existing interest from people local to the Gulf - you can't say the same for rugby.

[SaintK]

That’ll be a long time without a world cup in Europe…

By Europe we really mean France and England, and anyway, if it was actually a World Cup it's not an odd thing Europe would have to wait. For myself at least I'm sanguine about the event going outside Europe, less so somewhere that's an autocracy with a series of rules setting out how much they hate women, homosexuals..., so with the likes of Qatar and the USA in the running, fun times.

Not forgrtting the number of labourers killed building the stadia

[Big D]

That’ll be a long time without a world cup in Europe…

By Europe we really mean France and England, and anyway, if it was actually a World Cup it's not an odd thing Europe would have to wait. For myself at least I'm sanguine about the event going outside Europe, less so somewhere that's an autocracy with a series of rules setting out how much they hate women, homosexuals..., so with the likes of Qatar and the USA in the running, fun times.

Italy could host tbf. And yes I’d say by the late 2030s it’ll be time for it to come back to England, in the end the money in the sport and the fans are predominantly within the 5 Nations, successive world cups at odd times of day will surely reduce the tv valuation

Time zones would be a very minor issue IMO. Saudi money would far outweigh any issue TV companies have with a 3hr time difference IMO. I don't think games kicking off at 9 or 10pm, assuming they move the games to 6/7pm kick offs, would make that big a difference. Even then they could swap matches around so the bigger games are on at prime time in Europe.

That's assuming they stick to October for the RWC.

The fact they have fuck all to do with rugby is the bigger issue in a sporting sense.

[tcc_dc]

As an American who still worries about the WC here in 6 years, this idea is crazy.

Spain and Portugal would be great and bring up two countries who will contribute for decades.

I am still a fan of Italy getting one, or if you want to go off the wall, Germany would be great hosts also.

And I know that US is hosting in 2031, but a more deserving country versus Middle East would be Argentina with Uruguay getting a game or two

God willing I am still alive, but I would not do a UAE or Saudi RWC...

[Brazil]

Have host cities been decided on for the US RWC? I've been thinking we could go over as a family if the stars align.

[Sandstorm]

Have host cities been decided on for the US RWC? I've been thinking we could go over as a family if the stars align.

No, not yet. I'm going to go to RWC USA (couple of years after Trump fucks off for good)

[Hugo]

Spain and Portugal would be great and bring up two countries who will contribute for decades.

I am still a fan of Italy getting one, or if you want to go off the wall, Germany would be great hosts also.

And I know that US is hosting in 2031, but a more deserving country versus Middle East would be Argentina with Uruguay getting a game or two

Great shouts.

Italy hosting is such a no brainer. Great location geographically and city wise you have Rome, Milan, Turin, Florence & Bologna with the option of hosting games anywhere else based on local interest and availability of stadia. Italian, British, Irish and French fans would ensure it's well attended.

It's hard for me to imagine an Italian world cup being anything other than a roaring success.

[assfly]

In all honesty, I think it's absolutely outrageous that South Africa aren't locked-in hosts for one of these. They can also share some games with Zimbabwe and Namibia to make it a regional tournament.

If they don't get it, then I'd quite happy to see a Middle East tournament just to piss everyone off.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

In all honesty, I think it's absolutely outrageous that South Africa aren't locked-in hosts for one of these. They can also share some games with Zimbabwe and Namibia to make it a regional tournament.

If they don't get it, then I'd quite happy to see a Middle East tournament just to piss everyone off.

Like a number of nations SA are being caught out by the need to stump up a lot of money. Though I'm not sure if stating if a corrupt nation doesn't get a World Cup if should go to a corrupt nation is a line of thinking without issue

[Insane_Homer]

Fuck this shit.

[Hal Jordan]

There was an article in the Times about it this week, which featured some World Rugby fuckwit justifying it on the basis that they sell loads of All Blacks shirts in Malaysia and Thailand, and they're in Asia as well so it's bound to be hugely popular and attended by loads of locals. On the basis of what's being said in the press I suspect it's inevitable, and it'll be declared a roaring success no matter what. The Gulf States might even buy a couple of journeymen teams for a few years to pretend they're even remotely interested in the sport.

What bollocks. At least with the football in Qatar there was genuine and pre-existing interest from people local to the Gulf - you can't say the same for rugby.

Think of all the tax dodgers who would attend!

Sorry, ex-pats.

[Sandstorm]

There was an article in the Times about it this week, which featured some World Rugby fuckwit justifying it on the basis that they sell loads of All Blacks shirts in Malaysia and Thailand, and they're in Asia as well so it's bound to be hugely popular and attended by loads of locals. On the basis of what's being said in the press I suspect it's inevitable, and it'll be declared a roaring success no matter what. The Gulf States might even buy a couple of journeymen teams for a few years to pretend they're even remotely interested in the sport.

What bollocks. At least with the football in Qatar there was genuine and pre-existing interest from people local to the Gulf - you can't say the same for rugby.

Think of all the tax dodgers who would attend!

Sorry, ex-pats.

Well they play cricket Tests regularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and I very seldom see a sell-out crowd - and that's with about a million Sub-continent workers in the region.

[Hal Jordan]

True, but the sub-continent workers aren't exactly afforded the free time that ex-pats are....

[tcc_dc]

Have host cities been decided on for the US RWC? I've been thinking we could go over as a family if the stars align.

All of these have been shortlisted

This is locked list in my opinion

Chicago
New York
DC - been getting a few Eagles games here recently
LA - probably will get the final due to time zones...but maybe I am wrong..
Boston
Philadelphia
Seattle

Most likely
San Francisco
San Diego
Dallas
Atlanta


The question is will they spend big money to bring a game to the Superdome in New Orleans as an example...

Others
Denver
Minneapolis
Pittsburgh
Kansas City
Miami
Orlando
Houston
Austin
Birmingham
Nashville

[Sandstorm]

Have host cities been decided on for the US RWC? I've been thinking we could go over as a family if the stars align.

All of these have been shortlisted

This is locked list in my opinion

Chicago
New York
DC - been getting a few Eagles games here recently
LA - probably will get the final due to time zones...but maybe I am wrong..
Boston
Philadelphia
Seattle

Most likely
San Francisco
San Diego
Dallas
Atlanta


The question is will they spend big money to bring a game to the Superdome in New Orleans as an example...

Others
Denver
Minneapolis
Pittsburgh
Kansas City
Miami
Orlando
Houston
Austin
Birmingham
Nashville

Nothing for Las Vegas? They hosted the 7s a few years ago.

[sockwithaticket]

That’ll be a long time without a world cup in Europe…

By Europe we really mean France and England, and anyway, if it was actually a World Cup it's not an odd thing Europe would have to wait. For myself at least I'm sanguine about the event going outside Europe, less so somewhere that's an autocracy with a series of rules setting out how much they hate women, homosexuals..., so with the likes of Qatar and the USA in the running, fun times.

Allowing these places to bid, given how much of a push and how much growth there is in the women's game and the way most (all?) prominent unions get on board with things like the rainbow laces campaign, strikes me as very confused messaging from rugby authorities.

There's certainly form for hypocrisy, I suppose. We routinely see players who consider themselves prominent LGBTQ+ allies like Danny Care get involved in all the publicity around rainbow laces and then promptyl swan off to Dubai when they've got a free week.

[Yeeb]

Have host cities been decided on for the US RWC? I've been thinking we could go over as a family if the stars align.

All of these have been shortlisted

This is locked list in my opinion

Chicago
New York
DC - been getting a few Eagles games here recently
LA - probably will get the final due to time zones...but maybe I am wrong..
Boston
Philadelphia
Seattle

Most likely
San Francisco
San Diego
Dallas
Atlanta


The question is will they spend big money to bring a game to the Superdome in New Orleans as an example...

Others
Denver
Minneapolis
Pittsburgh
Kansas City
Miami
Orlando
Houston
Austin
Birmingham
Nashville

Can someone more well travelled than i, try and equate those yank cities to other major cities with rugby history for vibe ? Or failing that, just what other cities they are similar too ?

Like a lot of Poms, I’ve done NY and that’s it. Most of those places above I’d imagine would be as fun to visit as Slough or our original Birmingham

[Kawazaki]

Dollar Bill Sweeney will be all over this like a virulent dose of jock rot. What a fantastic earner to finish off his pension pot.

[OomStruisbaai]

It's South Africa's tournament, we should host it.

[sturginho]

It's South Africa's tournament, we should host it.

Can't say I disagree with this, it would also save you the bother of having to travel to collect your trophy

[Biffer]

Have host cities been decided on for the US RWC? I've been thinking we could go over as a family if the stars align.

All of these have been shortlisted

This is locked list in my opinion

Chicago
New York
DC - been getting a few Eagles games here recently
LA - probably will get the final due to time zones...but maybe I am wrong..
Boston
Philadelphia
Seattle

Most likely
San Francisco
San Diego
Dallas
Atlanta


The question is will they spend big money to bring a game to the Superdome in New Orleans as an example...

Others
Denver
Minneapolis
Pittsburgh
Kansas City
Miami
Orlando
Houston
Austin
Birmingham
Nashville

Nothing for Las Vegas? They hosted the 7s a few years ago.

The difficulty is that October is during the NFL and College football season. So some grounds are going to be reluctant to host games.

[Marylandolorian]

For several reasons, some have been mentioned above, I’m against it, but what about If they put few hundred million dollars on the table? Will the unions say no to the money?

[Sandstorm]

@Yeeb

I don’t believe there’s much Rugby tradition in USA, but I’ve been to most of the cities mentioned below:

Chicago - great city, waaay more chilled than NY. Nice locals.
New York - expensive, but also amazing. Best for sightseeing.
DC - Trump in a Swamp
LA - perfect weather; loads of fun, even more traffic
Boston - bit dull, history buffs love it. Very easy from airport to city centre
Philadelphia - not been
Seattle - damp, but great fun. Lots of hipsters.
San Francisco - lovely city, some homeless problems
San Diego - BEST city in America. Weather, beaches, Mexican food and craft beer. I’d move there tomorrow.
Dallas - Rednecks and trucks. Great bbq
Atlanta - not been

Like a lot of Poms, I’ve done NY and that’s it. Most of those places above I’d imagine would be as fun to visit as Slough or our original Birmingham

None are as shit as Birmingham.

[assfly]

Like a number of nations SA are being caught out by the need to stump up a lot of money. Though I'm not sure if stating if a corrupt nation doesn't get a World Cup if should go to a corrupt nation is a line of thinking without issue

"Corrupt nation"

That's a nice bubble you live in.

[petej]

Dollar Bill Sweeney will be all over this like a virulent dose of jock rot. What a fantastic earner to finish off his pension pot.

Can't he just fuck off and retire. A generation of vampires sucking up all the resources.