Id like to see 2021 hosted by France on its own, you never know on that back of that we could see a full time French league emerge. We need concentrate on developing the areas that are playing the game now before moving further a field IMO. Give the UAE a four nations tournament or some big fixtures and take it from there.

The UAE seem like they'd want the big one that'll provide the most coverage, rather than the four nations.

If France want it, they can bid for it like anyone else and hope their bid is the best one on the table.

Must have been a slow news day as it's never gonna happen, just like the WCC is supposed to go to Dubai every year.

It will be staged where it will make most money ( Aus or UK) with games being held in NZ, France Ireland etc.

Would love it to be able to travel the world, like North America, Europe.

Although would not be happy selling out to the Middle East like FIFA

For me it all comes down to the money. If the UAE can guarantee a return bigger than the 2013 WC then we'd be foolish not to consider it. The sport in this country is still recovering from the disastrous 2000 WC, the finances are vital.

One point to note is that airlines based in the area have large quantities of Airbus A380's and they need the seats filling!

Anyone who thinks any different is just fantisising out loud. Every few years the International RL body announce some far-away land that will never become seriously interested in the sport are in the running to hold a RLWC, and yet surprise surprise it always ends up in England or Oz. It hardly makes any money in England or Oz, holding it anywhere else would make a whopping great loss

That's not the 21st century way.... That's the human condition you are describing... And I can't think of a country which cannot be accused of this!

I commented that it made hardly any money, if you think £3.7 million is alot of money for any sporting organisation to make on its showpiece World Cup that comprised of 28 games, you make yourself look stupid

Sports tourism is where the real money is.
Someone going to a game in their own backyard might spend 30 to 50 dollars on everything.
Someone travelling to the UAE to watch a game might spend 3k to 5k - or 100 times as much.
Governments want those dollars flowing into their economies and will pay for events that draw tourists.
The recent cricket world cup in Aus and NZ is estimated to have generated hundreds of millions in sports tourism.

IMO the place where we really could both expand the game and generate big tourism dollars is the south east USA. This is already a massive area for tourism from RL playing countries, and it's where RL is starting to make inroads in the US.
If we could convince tourism authorities in Florida and surrounding states that a RL WC would attract 20 or 30k tourists from the UK, NZ and Aus they should be willing to fund the competition - it just makes sense.

I agree completely. If we can show that every 4 years the RLWC can get 20/30/40k people to visit a destination along with advertising such a comp allows to tens of millions the countries will pay handsomely and invest in our game. They will basically hand over millions of pounds for the privilege of spreading our game and there are plenty of places after UK, French, Aussie and kiwi tourism money. As you say the south East US pays millions to advertise itself as a tourist destination, Vegas, and California too, Closer to home Spain, italy and Portugal.

I've always thought it is a trick we are missing with the Pacific Islands. And England tour or a world 9s comp in the islands would be a huge opportunity for them to show off their tourism infrastructure and probably get a fair few over there and spending money, and you can't tell me the Fijians or Samoans wouldnt go nuts to see a world 9s comp with all the NRL stars or a full England tour in their back yard.

Quote: galliant "I commented that it made hardly any money, if you think £3.7 million is alot of money for any sporting organisation to make on its showpiece World Cup that comprised of 28 games, you make yourself look stupid www.gofundme.com/rvk55s

Quote: galliant "I commented that it made hardly any money, if you think £3.7 million is alot of money for any sporting organisation to make on its showpiece World Cup that comprised of 28 games, you make yourself look stupid www.gofundme.com/rvk55s

More from Union trying to hold back RL. I'm sure some Union apologists will try and pretend this doesn't happen. m.thenational.ae/sport/rugby/nis ... federation

More from Union trying to hold back RL. I'm sure some Union apologists will try and pretend this doesn't happen. m.thenational.ae/sport/rugby/nis ... federation