DENVER (Mar. 11, 2025) — Last week, Denver proudly welcomed delegates from World Rugby as part of its ongoing bid to host the 2031 Men's and 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cup. The delegation participated in a series of meetings, site visits and events in which the Denver Sports Commission and city leaders highlighted Denver’s commitment to rugby and its growing role in the global sports landscape.
As part of their visit, World Rugby’s delegation toured Denver’s world-class facilities, including Empower Field at Mile High and DICK’s Sporting Goods Park. Both of these stadiums have a successful history of hosting major sporting events and competitions and are committed to making the 2031 Men's and 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cup a success in Denver.
“We were honored to host members of World Rugby as they assess our city’s bid to potentially host the 2031 and 2023 Rugby World Cups,” said Matthew Payne, executive director of the Denver Sports Commission. “Denver is a sports town, and we are committed to growing rugby’s presence here. We are proud to showcase our world-class venues, passionate fan base and welcoming destination.”
Denver is no stranger to hosting major sporting events and competitions. In the past few years, the city has welcomed the Concacaf Nations League Finals, the Major League Baseball All-Star Game and US Women’s Soccer National Team matches, among others.
The Rugby World Cup consists of 24 teams playing 52 matches. It is the third-largest sporting event in the world. In 2023, the event generated $1.95 billion in total spending and brought 425,000 international visitors to the host country, France. The United States was selected to host the 2031 Rugby World Cup in May 2022. It will be the first time the tournament is held in the Americas.
World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin: “The United States’ hosting of men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups in 2031 and 33 respectively represents a landmark moment for Rugby’s advancement across this great nation. We are already witnessing great engagement, enthusiasm and motivation from cities interested in hosting these world-renowned sports events, and we are thrilled to see Denver to the fore, where rugby’s footprint is growing rapidly.”
Denver is ready to host with large-capacity venues, more than 13,000 downtown hotel rooms, reliable public transportation options, a walkable downtown, Michelin-recognized restaurants, world-class museums and cultural facilities and more. It is the perfect host city for athletes and fans.
Denver International Airport (DEN) is another highlight of the city’s hosting capabilities. As one of the most accessible airports in the world, it handles more than 1,600 flights per day and offers nonstop service to 216 destinations worldwide. DEN is the third-busiest airport in the U.S., the sixth busiest in the world and ranked the 11th most connected airport in the world. It is a major hub for United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines and many other domestic carriers. The airport also services numerous international carriers, with 33 nonstop international flights to Denver, making it one of the most connected host cities for World Rugby athletes and fans.
Denver is home to six professional sports teams and has recently celebrated the Colorado Avalanche winning the Stanley Cup and the Denver Nuggets winning the NBA Championship. Denver is also home to the new National Women’s Soccer League franchise, which will begin play in the 2026 season and the new women’s professional rugby league franchise, which will begin play later this month. Rugby has steadily grown in popularity around the city with a strong local rugby community.
The World Rugby delegation’s visit is a significant milestone in the city’s bid to host one of the world’s most renowned sporting competitions. Denver’s bid also contributes to the broader initiative to elevate rugby in the United States.
About Denver Sports Commission
The Denver Sports Commission is an official affiliate of VISIT DENVER and serves as a resource for all sporting event organizers interested in Denver as a future location. The mission of the Denver Sports Commission is to proactively identify, pursue and attract new regional, national and international sports events and sports-related business opportunities that generate economic impact, engage the community and support Denver’s brand as an active, healthy city. More information can be found at VISITDENVER.com/DenverSports.