Saudi Arabia Withdraws from 2035 Rugby World Cup Bid Amid PIF Funding Shift
Saudi Arabia has officially abandoned its aspirations to host the 2035 Rugby World Cup, a decision driven by a strategic financial reassessment within the kingdom's Public Investment Fund (PIF). This move marks a significant shift in the nation's sports investment priorities, as the fund enters a "value realization" phase under its Vision 2030 economic plan.
Funding Priorities Redirect Sports Ambitions
The sports minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal, had previously confirmed Saudi Arabia's interest in bidding for the tournament last year. However, it has now been revealed that the kingdom has not submitted an expression of interest to World Rugby and has no plans to do so before the bidding process closes in October. This withdrawal also affects a potential joint Middle East bid with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, which was discussed by Asia Rugby president Qais al-Dhalai but has not materialized.
World Rugby's bidding process for the 2035 tournament opened last October, with countries such as Argentina, Japan, and Spain understood to have submitted initial expressions of interest. While the deadline for formal bids is not until October 2026, allowing Gulf countries time to reconsider, there is no expectation that Saudi Arabia will re-enter the race. After evaluating bids and conducting site visits, World Rugby will identify a preferred bidder in May 2027, with a formal appointment by the World Rugby Council scheduled for the following autumn.
PIF's Strategic Focus on Domestic Projects
The decision to halt rugby aspirations is part of PIF's broader strategy to prioritize projects that can generate financial returns. This shift has already impacted high-profile ventures, such as LIV Golf, which will see its funding withdrawn next year, forcing the rebel tour to seek significant private investment to continue. PIF governor and LIV chair Yasir al-Rumayyan emphasized in an interview with Al Arabiya that all spending projects are under review, stating, "It is a dynamic [situation] with or without war. But, of course, the war would add more pressure to reposition some priorities."
Despite stepping back from international rugby, PIF will continue to invest in sports, but with a focus on domestic infrastructure. Key projects include developments related to the 2034 football World Cup and the Formula One track near Riyadh, set to open next year. The economic uncertainty caused by the war in Iran may influence spending plans, but sources indicate that the decision to withdraw from the Rugby World Cup bid was made before the conflict began in late February.
Regional Context and Future Prospects
In contrast to Saudi Arabia, Qatar has advanced its rugby interests, securing a deal to host the second final series of the new Nations Championship in 2028. Qatar already possesses the necessary stadiums and infrastructure for global events, but its current focus is on bidding for the 2036 Olympics. This divergence highlights varying regional strategies in sports investment and event hosting.
The abandonment of the 2035 Rugby World Cup bid underscores a recalibration of Saudi Arabia's sports diplomacy and economic goals. As PIF navigates its "value realization" phase, the kingdom's sports landscape is evolving, with domestic projects taking precedence over international tournaments. This move may reshape future bidding processes and influence how nations balance ambitious sporting events with financial sustainability.
