The United States has thrown its hat into the ring as a potential host for the men's Rugby World Cup in 2027 or 2031, as well as the women's tournament in 2029.
Rugby's premier men's international tournament has never been held in the Americas, but organisers behind the World Cup bid are "confident" in the country's capacity to break the mould.
New Rugby Football Union (RFU) chairman Tom Ilube confirmed in September England 's intent to host the 2031 competition, while Australia and Russia are considered the frontrunners for 2027.
A selection of almost 30 cities were named in the U.S. bid as having already expressed an interest in hosting games, with some of the NFL 's major stadia listed as potential venues.
Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, Levi’s Stadium in California and the 90,000-seat Rose Bowl in Pasadena are among the "state-of-art, massive, technologically advanced" grounds ready to host matches.
Las Vegas, New York, Chicago, Boston, New Orleans and Washington D.C. are just some of the other cities cited as being interested in welcoming World Cup fixtures to their doors.
"This is a proud moment as we introduce our vision for a World Cup on American soil," said Jim Brown, chair of the USA Rugby World Cup bid team.
"We are confident in the strength of this bid, the support around us, the cities and stadiums interested in hosting, our country’s top-level infrastructure for large-scale sports events and the opportunity the US population of sports fans presents for rugby’s growth, both domestically and globally."
France will host the Rugby World Cup in 2023, continuing the contest's tradition of alternating between European hosts.
Do you think the United States would make for suitable Rugby World Cup hosts? Let us know in the comments section.
Japan were successful when they held the tournament for the first time in 2019, though the logistics of teams and supporters travelling between U.S. sites presents a different challenge.
That was the first time the Rugby World Cup was held outside Europe, New Zealand, Australia or South Africa, a departure from the 'traditional' rugby nations taking ownership of the competition.
The 2027 Rugby World Cup could make for good timing considering it falls just after the 2026 men's FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Los Angeles is then scheduled to host the 2028 Olympic Games in what could prove to be a busy period of international sport events in the United States.
However, Brown specified the 2031 tournament would be the United States' preferred choice, with multiple American football franchises interested in partnering.
"Over the course of the last six or seven months, I think it's clear to say that our preference is 2031 given the extra time we might want to focus on developing the game, and the market for rugby," he added.
"Part of our approach to the host cities and stadiums is that they are going to be partners with us.
"In the case of San Francisco, the group leading the bid is the 49ers. In Boston, it’s the Kraft family and the (New England) Patriots. Our success is their success."
Canada previously held the Women's Rugby World Cup in 2006, and the United States won the inaugural competition when it was staged in Wales back in 1991.
The men's U.S. team must beat Chile in a two-legged qualifier next July in order to qualify for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, having lost out to Uruguay in their most recent chance to book a spot in France.
