United States Submits Bid to Host The Rugby League World Cup for the First Time
Global Rise of Rugby, Growing U.S. Popularity and Potential to Host Rugby League’s Premier Event in Top American Markets Powers. Moore Sports International’s Unprecedented Bid for 2021 World Cup.
August 2, 2016; updated September 1, 2016 – The United States has officially submitted a bid to host the Rugby League World Cup for the first time. Moore Sports International, a leading sports marketing and event management company which submitted the bid, is aiming to bring the 2021 Rugby League World Cup – the 16th edition of the prestigious global tournament – to American shores, as the sport continues to expand and grow internationally.
A six-week, multi-city tournament event, the Rugby League World Cup brings together the world’s top men’s and women’s Rugby League teams to compete against an international field.
“We are honored and excited at the opportunity to showcase this sport to this nation – and the nation to this sport,” said Jason Moore, CEO of Moore Sports International. “Rugby league already has a strong following in several major U.S. markets, and should the 2021 World Cup be staged in the United States, American sports fans new to Rugby League and who have a hunger for ‘Gladiatorial’ style sports are going to fall in love with this extraordinary game.”
Should the 2021 Rugby League World Cup be awarded to the United States, it would mark the first time in the event’s history that it would be contested outside of continental Europe or the Oceania region. The event was first contested in 1954 in France, and has been held only in traditional rugby-playing nations. The last Rugby League World Cup was contested in 2013 in England and Wales before nearly 500,000 fans, with Australia defeating New Zealand in the Grand Final. The 15th playing of the tournament will take place in 2017, hosted by Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
“The RLIF is committed to growing the game and is working diligently to have Rugby League recognized as one of the world’s leading sports,” said David Collier, CEO of the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF), Rugby League’s world governing body. “This year’s bids, including a first-time bid from the United States via Moore Sports International, certainly affirm our belief in the greater opportunities ahead.”
The bid is hoping to capitalize on the global growth of the sport of rugby, especially among Americans, resulting in a never-before-experienced atmosphere for the event. The United States Men’s National Rugby League Team, currently ranked 10th in the world, has been a major reason for the increased popularity domestically. The men’s national team, nicknamed the Hawks, qualified for its first World Cup in 2013, reaching the quarterfinals. Rugby League’s speed, physicality, excitement and easily understandable nature are additional compelling reasons for America to successfully host the sport’s premier event.
“USARL supports the USA bid to host the men’s and women’s 2021 Rugby League World Cup and looks forward to the challenge of preparing our USA Hawks to take the pitch as the host nation if called upon,” said USA Rugby League Chairman, Peter Illfield. "We thank RLIF and its representative members for recognizing America as a land of opportunity, and the community of Rugby League clubs and supporters across the United States welcome Moore Sports International in its bid to grow and celebrate our great game in this country.”
Moore Sports International’s bid for the United States to host the 2021 Rugby World Cup includes a commitment that all 32 men’s matches would be played in National Football League and Major League Soccer stadiums. The matches would be contested across 8 to 10 major markets, from mid-October until late November 2021. The women’s tournament would feature the top eight teams and would be contested in conjunction with the men’s quarterfinals, semifinals and Grand Final.
The RLIF is expected to announce a host nation for the 2021 tournament in November. If the Moore Sports International bid is granted for the United States, a Request for Proposals (RFP) would follow with each of the potential host cities and stadiums.
“There is a lot of hard work still to be done,” said Moore. “But we are grateful for, and motivated by, the strong interest of potential host cities, stadiums, sponsors, and other local stakeholder across the United States.”
For more information about Rugby League, the USA Hawks, and to become a USARL member, visit www.USARL.com. To support the USA bid to host the Rugby League World Cup in 2021, visit www.mooresportsintl.com or www.facebook.com/RLWC2021.
About Moore Sports International
Moore Sports International is a full-service sports agency with offices in Sydney, New York and Hong Kong. Moore Sports International has extensive experience in acquisition and presentation of major events rights as well as delivering benefits to partner rights-holders, teams, government, venues and local communities. In March 2014, Moore Sports International successfully brought the L.A. Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks to Sydney to play in the inaugural MLB Opening Series at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground.
About Rugby League International Federation
The RLIF is responsible for the Laws of the Game, the development, organization and governance of Rugby League internationally, and for the sport's major international tournament, the Rugby League World Cup.
About USA Rugby League (USARL)
The USA Rugby League is the governing body for Rugby League in the U.S. It sets the overall strategic direction and administration of the game across all levels, and has responsibilities for fostering, developing and funding the game from the junior to the elite levels including the national men’s and women’s teams. Follow at: facebook.com/usarl
About Rugby League
Rugby League originated in 1895 when Northern England clubs broke away from the Rugby Football Union after it outlawed payments to local players who missed work. To increase fan interest and drive ticket sales, Rugby League rules were adapted to create a faster-paced, more exciting game of rugby. Rugby League’s popularity quickly spread, with the strongest adoption in Northern England, France, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. It is now played in over 50 countries on 5 continents, with 36 countries ranked by the RLIF. The Rugby League World Cup, the sport’s pinnacle event, is now staged every four years.
Moore Sports International Contacts:
Chris Botta – 516.647.3755 / This email has been obfuscated.
John Paul Basile – 310.666.3098 / This email has been obfuscated.