World Rugby Offers to Switch Six Nations Fixture to USA

World Rugby offered assistance to any nation looking to switch a Six Nations match to the United States as part of its initiative to expand the game within the country. Notably, the recent match between South Africa and New Zealand at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore drew a sold-out crowd of 71,000 fans. As the men’s and women's Rugby World Cups are scheduled to take place in the United States in 2031 and 2033 respectively, there is a growing interest from tournament organizers to host high-profile matches across the Atlantic.

Alan Gilpin, the chief executive of World Rugby, addressed the financial viability of holding a Six Nations-style match in the U.S., stating, "In terms of the match-day economics, [South Africa vs. New Zealand] is like a Six Nations match. It starts to show that [financial return] is not the barrier. So if there is the appetite to take some of these big matches in the future to the US, we can now."

Historically, the All Blacks have played significant matches in the U.S., including a landmark 2016 game in Chicago where Ireland secured their first victory over New Zealand. This match attracted 60,000 fans, and a similar rematch in 2025 was commercially successful. The All Blacks have also faced the United States, achieving a 104-14 victory before approximately 40,000 spectators in Washington, and defeating Fiji 47-5 in front of 33,217 fans in San Diego.

Gilpin expressed confidence that the Six Nations' rich history and its connection with expatriate communities in the U.S. could help further popularize rugby. He cited the example of an Italy vs. Ireland match, noting the large fanbases of both nationalities in cities like Boston and New York. "If you could take a Six Nations game to the right place, you can definitely drive the economics," he added.

However, John Mitchell, the head coach of England women’s rugby, voiced skepticism regarding the success of expanding the tournament stateside, stating, "American sport is full of rivalries and I just don’t think Americans adjust to new rivalries or franchises compared to some other countries." He also expressed cautiousness about potentially hosting a Red Roses Six Nations match in the U.S., highlighting the significant visibility that such matches hold in Europe.

Although World Rugby is prepared to support the idea of transitioning a Six Nations game to the U.S., the final decision rests with the involved teams, each aware of potential fan backlash. Currently, the schedules for the 2027 editions of both the men’s and women’s tournaments have already been finalized.