Megan Rose to Lead 2031 Men’s Rugby World Cup in US

World Rugby has appointed Megan Rose, a former American tennis professional and senior United States Tennis Association (USTA) executive, as managing director of the 2031 men’s Rugby World Cup. The appointment marks an important step in preparations for the tournament, which will be hosted in the United States for the first time and is expected to play a major role in the sport’s international growth strategy.

Rose brings experience as an athlete, coach and sports administrator, having worked across collegiate tennis, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and the USTA. Her background in major sporting events and Olympic tennis leadership is expected to help World Rugby navigate the opportunities and challenges associated with staging one of the sport’s biggest international competitions in a country where rugby still has considerable room to grow.

The 2031 men’s tournament and the 2033 women’s Rugby World Cup represent a significant opportunity for the United States to expand its rugby audience, attract new commercial partners and strengthen participation at grassroots and professional levels. However, the ambition also comes with challenges, including the limited scale of domestic professional leagues, funding pressures and the need to build sustained public interest beyond major international matches.

Megan Rose Takes Charge of the 2031 Rugby World Cup Project

Rose’s appointment places an experienced American sports executive at the centre of preparations for the first men’s Rugby World Cup to be staged in the United States. The managing director role will be important as World Rugby moves from planning and host-market engagement towards delivering the tournament and building a broader audience for the sport.

Welcoming the appointment, Rose described the competition as one of the most significant events in global sport and emphasised the responsibility of bringing it to an American audience.

“Rugby World Cup is one of the iconic events in global sport, defined by unforgettable moments on the pitch and the passion of fans around the world. To be entrusted with bringing Men’s Rugby World Cup to the United States for the first time is an extraordinary honour, and I’m thrilled to join this team.”

Her comments reflect the importance World Rugby attaches to the American market. The United States offers a large population, a substantial commercial sports industry and numerous major venues, but rugby must compete with established sports such as American football, basketball, baseball and soccer for attention, participation and sponsorship.

The challenge will be to turn the visibility of a major international tournament into a lasting increase in interest. Selling tickets and attracting television audiences will be important measures of success, but the longer-term impact will also depend on whether more Americans begin playing rugby, following domestic competitions and supporting the national teams.

Rose’s experience in American sport could help bridge the gap between rugby’s international ambitions and the practical realities of the US sporting landscape.

From Collegiate Tennis Champion to Major Sporting Events Executive

Rose’s career began on the tennis court. She was a five-time collegiate All-American at the University of Miami and won a national indoor championship before competing on the WTA Tour.

Her experience as a professional player gave her direct knowledge of the demands of elite competition, athlete preparation and the wider sporting environment. She later moved into coaching, leading Princeton University’s women’s tennis programme to an Ivy League championship.

Rose subsequently moved into sports administration, working with both the WTA and the USTA. Her responsibilities included becoming managing director of major events and serving as team leader for USA Olympic Tennis.

This combination of competitive, coaching and executive experience provides a foundation for her new role. Delivering an international tournament requires coordination between sporting authorities, host cities, commercial partners, venues, broadcasters, national unions and local communities.

Her work in tennis also gives her experience of a sport with a well-established American audience and international reach. Although rugby operates under different competitive structures and traditions, many of the organisational demands associated with major sporting events are similar.

For World Rugby, the appointment represents an opportunity to use Rose’s understanding of the US sports industry to strengthen the tournament’s planning and delivery. Her experience with Olympic tennis could also prove relevant when coordinating large-scale operations, managing stakeholders and presenting international sport to a broad audience.

Why the 2031 Men’s Rugby World Cup Matters to American Rugby

The 2031 tournament is more than a major sporting event. It is an opportunity for rugby to establish a stronger position in one of the world’s largest sports markets.

Rugby World Cups attract international audiences through national rivalries, elite competition and the tournament’s distinctive atmosphere. The men’s competition is generally regarded as one of the world’s biggest sporting events, although comparisons with the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games vary according to the measures used, including audience reach, attendance and commercial value.

Hosting the tournament in the United States gives World Rugby access to a country with extensive sports infrastructure and a long history of staging major international competitions. Large venues, established event-management businesses and commercial partnerships could help the tournament reach audiences well beyond the existing rugby community.

However, a successful tournament would require more than the availability of stadiums. Organisers will need to make rugby understandable and appealing to casual sports fans, develop compelling promotional campaigns and ensure that the competition receives sustained media attention.

One major opportunity lies in introducing new audiences to international rugby. Fans who attend matches or watch the tournament could develop an interest in the US national teams, domestic competitions and community clubs. Schools and universities could also play a role in expanding participation if the event generates greater awareness and investment.

The challenge is ensuring that this interest continues after the final whistle of the 2031 final. A tournament can create a temporary surge in attention, but lasting growth depends on accessible playing opportunities, strong local organisations, effective development programmes and a sustainable professional pathway.

World Rugby Chief Alan Gilpin Backs Rose’s Appointment

World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin described Rose as an experienced leader whose background makes her well suited to the scale of the American project.

“Megan is an outstanding leader with a proven track record of delivering world-class sporting events and driving innovation. She joins us at a pivotal moment as our US project enters its next phase – an appointment that reflects the scale of our ambition. Her experience, vision and deep understanding of the US sports landscape make her ideally placed to deliver a defining chapter for rugby in the United States and around the world.”

Gilpin’s comments highlight the importance of the United States to World Rugby’s longer-term strategy. The governing body is seeking to expand the sport’s reach beyond its traditional strongholds and create new opportunities for commercial growth, participation and international competition.

The US market offers considerable potential because of its population, media infrastructure and established culture of large sporting events. However, translating those advantages into a successful Rugby World Cup will require careful planning and sustained cooperation between international and domestic organisations.

Rose will need to work with USA Rugby, local clubs, players, supporters, host cities and commercial stakeholders. The tournament’s success will depend on how effectively those groups coordinate their efforts and how clearly they communicate the event’s value to the wider public.

Recent Attendance Records Offer Encouragement

Rose’s appointment comes shortly after a significant moment for rugby in the United States. More than 68,000 fans travelled to Baltimore, Maryland, to watch South Africa’s men defeat New Zealand in the fourth Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.

The attendance set a record for rugby union in the United States and demonstrated that a major international fixture can attract a substantial crowd when the teams, occasion and promotion generate sufficient interest.

The presence of two leading international rugby nations also gave American fans an opportunity to experience the sport at its highest level. Matches involving well-known teams and established rivalries can help introduce newcomers to rugby while appealing to existing supporters.

Nevertheless, a single attendance record does not establish that rugby has already achieved widespread popularity in the United States. Major international fixtures can attract large crowds without automatically creating sustained demand for domestic competitions or increasing participation at grassroots level.

The important question is whether World Rugby and USA Rugby can build on events like the Baltimore match. If they can create a consistent calendar of attractive international fixtures, improve access to rugby and maintain media visibility, the 2031 tournament could benefit from an audience that has already begun to grow.

Upcoming International Matches Provide Another Opportunity

The United States will continue to host international rugby fixtures as preparations for the World Cup develop. This weekend, the US Eagles women’s team will face Italy in Nashville, Tennessee, before the men’s team takes on an Australia XV.

The following weekend, the women’s Eagles will play England, the reigning world champions, in New Jersey, while the men’s team will meet the Australians again.

These fixtures provide opportunities to raise the profile of the national teams and encourage fans to engage with rugby outside major World Cup years. Matches against established international opponents can also give American players valuable experience against different playing styles and levels of competition.

For organisers, the events offer a chance to understand how audiences respond to different venues, opponents and promotional approaches. The lessons could help inform the planning of future international fixtures and the broader strategy for the 2031 tournament.

However, continued investment in the national teams and domestic structures will be necessary if interest is to grow consistently. International matches can attract attention, but a strong rugby ecosystem also needs clubs, competitions, coaches, officials and facilities that support players throughout their development.

Domestic Rugby Faces Significant Challenges

Despite the potential of the US market, the domestic rugby system faces substantial challenges. The country currently has Major League Rugby, a men’s professional competition, and Women’s Elite Rugby, a semi-professional league for women.

Major League Rugby has operated since 2018 but has experienced a series of franchise failures and is now down to five teams. A possible sixth entrant for 2027 has been discussed, although that addition has not been confirmed.

Women’s Elite Rugby also has five teams, leaving both competitions with relatively limited national footprints compared with the major professional leagues that dominate the American sports market.

The size and stability of domestic leagues matter because they provide regular opportunities for players, coaches and supporters to engage with the sport. A limited number of teams can make it harder to establish local rivalries, build a consistent fan base and provide a clear professional pathway for emerging talent.

Franchise instability can also affect confidence among sponsors, investors and supporters. When teams disappear or competitions contract, local audiences lose access to regular matches and players may face uncertainty about their future opportunities.

For the 2031 Rugby World Cup to have a lasting impact, organisers will need to consider how the event can support a more sustainable domestic game. Increased exposure may attract investment, but long-term development will require sound financial planning, effective governance and a competition structure capable of retaining teams and audiences.

College Rugby Offers a Potential Foundation for Growth

Although professional rugby in the United States faces difficulties, the college game has deeper roots and greater strength than is often recognised internationally.

Universities and colleges provide a significant environment for rugby participation, helping students develop their skills and compete within established sporting communities. The college system could play an important role in connecting the 2031 tournament with younger audiences and introducing new players to the sport.

However, American college rugby is politically divided and faces considerable challenges involving funding and facilities. Those issues can limit the ability of programmes to expand, provide consistent support for athletes and establish stronger links with professional competitions.

Improving coordination between colleges, clubs, USA Rugby and professional organisations could help create clearer development pathways. Better facilities and more stable funding would also support participation and make it easier for talented players to progress towards the national teams.

The World Cup could provide an incentive to strengthen those connections, particularly if increased public interest encourages universities and local organisations to invest in rugby programmes.

However, the tournament cannot solve structural problems on its own. Sustainable growth will require long-term planning that continues well beyond 2031 and includes the people and institutions responsible for developing the sport at community level.

USA Eagles Face an Important Period Before the World Cup

The performances of the US national teams will be central to the country’s preparations for hosting the tournament.

The men’s Eagles failed to qualify for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, a significant setback for a nation that is now preparing to host the competition. They are scheduled to compete in Australia at the next men’s tournament in 2027, giving the team an opportunity to gain experience at the highest international level before the home event four years later.

Participation in the 2027 tournament could provide valuable lessons about the demands of World Cup rugby, from preparation and squad management to performing under the pressure of a major international competition.

The women’s Eagles also have work to do. At the previous Women’s Rugby World Cup in England, the team featured breakout social media star Ilona Maher but failed to progress beyond the pool stage.

Maher’s public profile illustrates how individual athletes can help rugby reach audiences outside its traditional fan base. Her visibility could contribute to broader awareness of the women’s game, although sustained development will depend on the performance and profile of the team as a whole.

For both national sides, the period leading up to the US-hosted tournaments will be important. Stronger performances, consistent preparation and improved pathways for emerging players could help the Eagles become more competitive while building public interest in the sport.

Can the United States Turn the World Cup Into a Lasting Success?

Questions about rugby’s position in American sport have fuelled scepticism within the international game about whether the 2031 tournament can engage the broader public and produce meaningful growth.

The United States has several advantages, including major sporting venues, a large consumer market and experience hosting high-profile international competitions. These factors create a strong foundation for staging a major event.

But rugby must compete with sports that already command significant television audiences, sponsorship revenues and grassroots participation. American football, in particular, occupies a prominent position in the country’s sporting culture, while basketball, baseball and soccer also have established professional structures and loyal fan bases.

World Rugby has pointed to encouraging signs in the US market. In announcing Rose’s appointment, the governing body said more premium match content was being staged in the country than ever before. It also highlighted 25 highly engaged cities involved in the applicant process, alongside growing stakeholder engagement, fan interest and media attention.

“With more premium match content being played in the US than ever before, 25 highly engaged cities involved in the applicant process and stakeholder engagement building and fan and media interest continuing to grow, the US is poised to provide an unprecedented stage for Rugby World Cups that will redefine the sport’s future and support the ambitions of its global growth strategy.”

The statement reflects World Rugby’s confidence in the market, but the eventual impact will depend on how effectively the governing body and its partners convert interest into attendance, viewership and participation.

Making the rules and appeal of rugby accessible to new fans will be important. Promotional campaigns, community programmes, school and college initiatives, and sustained coverage of the national teams could all help the tournament reach people who have limited experience of the sport.

The Baltimore attendance record offers an encouraging example, but the broader challenge is to make rugby a regular part of the American sporting landscape rather than an occasional attraction linked to major international fixtures.

Australia 2027 and 2029 Set the Stage for the US Tournaments

The United States will not host the next Rugby World Cup. Australia is scheduled to stage the men’s tournament in 2027 and the women’s competition in 2029 before the US takes over with the men’s event in 2031 and the women’s tournament in 2033.

The sequence gives World Rugby several years to develop its plans for the American market while the sport’s global calendar continues to evolve.

The Australian tournaments will also provide opportunities to assess how major events can attract new audiences, support national teams and strengthen commercial partnerships. The lessons from those competitions could help inform preparations for the US-hosted editions.

For the United States, the four-year gap between the 2027 men’s tournament and the 2031 event creates a period in which the national team can develop and domestic rugby can seek greater stability.

The women’s World Cup in 2033 offers a further opportunity to build on the visibility generated by the men’s competition. If organisers can establish a stronger audience for rugby by 2031, the women’s tournament could benefit from greater awareness and participation.

What Megan Rose’s Appointment Means for Rugby’s Future in America

Rose’s appointment signals that World Rugby is moving forward with its ambition to make the United States a major market for international rugby. Her experience in professional tennis, collegiate coaching, major events and Olympic administration provides a combination of skills relevant to delivering the tournament.

Her most immediate challenge will be helping coordinate a complex event involving international governing bodies, national unions, host cities, venues, commercial partners and supporters. At the same time, the wider project will need to consider how the tournament can benefit rugby beyond the competition itself.

The opportunity is substantial, but so are the challenges. The domestic professional leagues need stability, college rugby requires stronger support and the national teams must continue developing their competitiveness. These issues will not disappear simply because the United States hosts a major international tournament.

However, the World Cup could serve as a catalyst if its organisers connect the event with long-term investment in participation, facilities and domestic competitions. A successful tournament could attract new supporters and sponsors, while stronger local structures would give those supporters more opportunities to remain involved.

Conclusion: A Major Opportunity for US Rugby Ahead of 2031

Megan Rose’s appointment as managing director of the 2031 men’s Rugby World Cup marks an important milestone in World Rugby’s preparations for the sport’s first men’s tournament in the United States.

Her career as a collegiate and professional tennis player, coach and senior USTA executive gives her experience across several areas of elite sport. World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin believes that background makes her well placed to lead the project as preparations enter their next phase.

The tournament arrives with considerable potential. The United States has the infrastructure, commercial reach and sporting culture to stage a major international event, while recent attendance records suggest that high-profile rugby fixtures can attract substantial crowds.

Nevertheless, the domestic game faces serious challenges, from the limited scale of professional leagues to funding and facilities in college rugby. The men’s and women’s national teams also have important development work ahead of their home World Cups.

Ultimately, the success of the 2031 tournament will be measured not only by the quality of the event itself but also by what follows. If Rose and her colleagues can turn the World Cup into a catalyst for stronger competitions, greater participation and lasting public interest, the tournament could become a defining moment for rugby in the United States.