Houston wants to host the Rugby World Cup in 2031, but it'll have to shove past 26 other U.S. cities to win the bid.
Why it matters: Rugby isn't as mainstream here as American football, but that's not stopping U.S. cities from vying to host its global men's tournament.
Driving the news: World Rugby, the sport's international governing body, narrowed its list of potential U.S. host cities for the 2031 men's World Cup from 40 to 27. Houston made the cut.
What they're saying: "Houston is excited to participate in the Rugby World Cup 2031 host city selection process," Harris County–Houston Sports Authority CEO Ryan Walsh said in a statement.
"With world-class venues, a diverse and passionate community, and deep experience hosting global sporting events, our region is well-prepared to welcome the world."
Zoom in: Houston has built a strong résumé hosting major sporting events,including the Super Bowl and Copa América. It'll host the FIFA World Cup next year.
The big picture: World Rugby officials say the application process is part of its plan for growth in the U.S., where it hopes to build audiences in "key rugby hubs."
CEO Alan Gilpin said the 2031 tournament stands to "cement the U.S.'s status as a major player in global rugby" and "inspire and unite new fans, audiences and commercial partners for the sport."
