World Rugby has today (Wednesday) announced that Australia, England, France, New Zealand, Portugal and Wales have confirmed their intention to bid for the 2021 Women’s World Cup.
It marks a record level of hosting interest for the tournament. The six unions formally confirmed an expression of interest to World Rugby by the deadline of May 31.
World Rugby said the interest highlights the strength of the Women’s World Cup following last year’s record-breaking tournament, which was co-hosted by Ireland and Northern Ireland. The 2017 World Cup was the best-attended, most-viewed and most socially-engaged ever.
The six unions have been issued with the bid documents and now have until August 10 to submit their bid responses. The World Rugby Council will announce the winning bid at its interim meeting in the Irish capital of Dublin on November 14.
World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said: “We are delighted with the record level of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 hosting interest from unions, which reflects the significant global excitement and momentum behind the women’s game.
“Ireland 2017 was a magnificent tournament by any Rugby World Cup standards and I am sure that all six unions will be determined to raise the bar again as we look forward to a tournament that features a new format and is a proven major sporting and social driver.”
