sports
Saudi Arabia abandons plans to host 2035 Rugby World Cup amid funding cutback
‘The [Iran] war would add more pressure to priorities’
TL;DR
- Saudi Arabia will not bid for the 2035 Rugby World Cup.
- The decision is part of the Public Investment Fund's (PIF) new financial strategy focused on 'value realization'.
- PIF will prioritize projects that can produce a return.
- LIV Golf's funding will be withdrawn next year.
- Saudi Arabia plans to focus on domestic sports projects, including infrastructure for the 2034 Football World Cup and a Formula One track.
- Qatar is interested in rugby and will host the second final series of the new Nations Championship in 2028, but its current focus is bidding for the 2036 Olympics.