The report says Spain’s proposal would use major stadiums and transport networks developed for the 2030 tournament, which Spain will co-host with Portugal and Morocco. That five-year gap could allow the country to extend the value of its football investment beyond one summer.
The venues reportedly under consideration include:
For rugby, that footprint would offer visibility in four of Spain’s most recognisable football cities. For the stadiums, it would create another major-event pathway once the 2030 spotlight has moved elsewhere.
A rugby World Cup final at the revamped Camp Nou would provide the bid with an immediate global image. The report says the proposed venue could host more than 100,000 spectators, potentially making it the first Rugby World Cup final staged before a crowd of that size.
That scale matters. Rugby has staged finals in famous football grounds before, but Barcelona would push the crossover between the two sports to a different level. The match would become not only a sporting occasion, but also a statement about Spain’s ability to host events outside its traditional football comfort zone.
The bid cannot rely on buildings alone. Spain’s national team, Los Leones, has reportedly been increasingly involved in the qualification picture, although eligibility issues previously disrupted its route to the tournament.
That history gives the proposal a more complex narrative. Spain would be offering elite venues and infrastructure while still trying to strengthen its standing as a rugby nation. The hosting decision will therefore test both the country’s event platform and the credibility of its long-term rugby plans.
The next storyline is World Rugby’s assessment of the bid, with progress on Spain’s 2030 football projects likely to remain central to the case for 2035.