Utah and Hawaii emerge as options for 2030 Rugby League World Cup
The proposed US tournament could group three to four matches at one stadium, but the hosting move has not been made official.
The United States is set to stage rugby league’s 2030 World Cup, with Utah and Hawaii identified as pool-match locations, David Riccio said. The hosting arrangement remains unofficial.
Riccio said the International Rugby League board had selected the two locations for consideration. Discussions include a possible magic round format, bringing three to four matches together at a single stadium.
The proposal follows the Tonga-Samoa match at CommBank Stadium. Riccio said the emotion surrounding that contest had drawn international attention, including among the large Tongan and Samoan populations in Utah and Hawaii. He described global expansion as a reason for the proposed move.
The NRL has already taken its season opener to Las Vegas. Luke Keary backed the US option, saying rugby league should build on the momentum generated by Samoa and Tonga.
The 2034 tournament is expected to take place in the Northern Hemisphere, most likely in England. International Rugby League chairman Troy Grant and board member Peter V’landys are working to revitalise the sport in the UK.
